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Talk Radio
Vivien Kindler, on impulse, gets a job hosting a local phone-in radio show. She has an unusual she thinks that all her callers have worth, are interesting, and if they’ll just stay on the line and talk with her, everyone else will think so too.
The "regulars" serve up a fun tapestry woven on the sturdy warp of the coastal Maine a delivery guy who reads Vivien poems written on his route; a lady broken by the long-ago death of a child; a retired, one-legged gardener who once built Navy ships. Others remind her that she is “from away” and will never belong.
Is Vivien’s gentle radio counsel really doing anything—or is it all just talk?
In Talk Radio, Ham Martin deftly imbeds a surprising story in the live dialogue spoken over the air. Tune in to WNWT, Frost Pound, Maine. This Vivien is surely something special.
The "regulars" serve up a fun tapestry woven on the sturdy warp of the coastal Maine a delivery guy who reads Vivien poems written on his route; a lady broken by the long-ago death of a child; a retired, one-legged gardener who once built Navy ships. Others remind her that she is “from away” and will never belong.
Is Vivien’s gentle radio counsel really doing anything—or is it all just talk?
In Talk Radio, Ham Martin deftly imbeds a surprising story in the live dialogue spoken over the air. Tune in to WNWT, Frost Pound, Maine. This Vivien is surely something special.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2021
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 16, 2021
This is an intriguing and meaningful story told by talk radio interactions between the new host (an outsider) and the local community. It’s about courage, obsolescence, regret, acceptance, and forgiveness.
Vivien’s relationships in the small Maine town of Frost Pound are non-existent. Her only link to them is listening to the local talk show. So when the host of the show is taken ill, she bravely applies and gets the job. As she struggles with the dynamics of the set and the mistrust of the “regulars” on the show, she slowly becomes a catalyst for stirring up unrest and healing rifts. Will the locals accept an outsider or will she be chased away?
I have to admit the story started slow, but as it delved into the lives of the townspeople and unraveled past misunderstandings and mistakes, it really captivated me and I wanted to see how everything panned out. Vivien’s patience, kindness, and grit are refreshing as she wins over a community that doesn’t like change. Topics include everything from migrating lobsters to on-the-fly poetry. I laughed and I cried as I learned a lot about the people of Frost Pound including their beliefs, their dreams, and their fears.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with engaging commentary and real-life drama, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ham Martin and Black Rose Writing for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Vivien’s relationships in the small Maine town of Frost Pound are non-existent. Her only link to them is listening to the local talk show. So when the host of the show is taken ill, she bravely applies and gets the job. As she struggles with the dynamics of the set and the mistrust of the “regulars” on the show, she slowly becomes a catalyst for stirring up unrest and healing rifts. Will the locals accept an outsider or will she be chased away?
I have to admit the story started slow, but as it delved into the lives of the townspeople and unraveled past misunderstandings and mistakes, it really captivated me and I wanted to see how everything panned out. Vivien’s patience, kindness, and grit are refreshing as she wins over a community that doesn’t like change. Topics include everything from migrating lobsters to on-the-fly poetry. I laughed and I cried as I learned a lot about the people of Frost Pound including their beliefs, their dreams, and their fears.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with engaging commentary and real-life drama, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ham Martin and Black Rose Writing for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
April 19, 2021
O my... I want more! Shades of Elisabeth Strout, I absolutely loved Vivien! The story finds a suddenly divorced woman, who becomes the unwanted host of a 3-hr daily talk show in a small coastal Maine town. With characters that typify Mainers and their outspokeness, dysfunctional families, aging seniors, longstanding secrets, "nosey" yet ultimately all caring individuals, Martin has written a winner. Looking forward to more from Frost Pound!
October 8, 2021
First of all, I love Maine, so if I come across a title from Maine, I tend to read it. This book was reviewed by the book reviewer from the Machias library, whose opinion I value, so I got it for my NOOK.
If you have ever listened to talk radio, this reads exactly how talk radio sounds. People change the subject, some call often, and you get to know them. Same here.. The new host Vivian feels her way through challenges and gets to know some callers as friends.
At times I thought the author could have eliminated some conversations specific to fishing, for example, but in this regard it was honest real talk radio.. all over the board. In the end the separate parts come together for a lovely story. I would like to read more by this author.. I do not know if he could continue with Vivian.. maybe yes.. do not know.
If you have ever listened to talk radio, this reads exactly how talk radio sounds. People change the subject, some call often, and you get to know them. Same here.. The new host Vivian feels her way through challenges and gets to know some callers as friends.
At times I thought the author could have eliminated some conversations specific to fishing, for example, but in this regard it was honest real talk radio.. all over the board. In the end the separate parts come together for a lovely story. I would like to read more by this author.. I do not know if he could continue with Vivian.. maybe yes.. do not know.
February 16, 2021
Vivien, newly divorced from her husband, lives in a small Maine town. She tunes into the local radio talk show once in awhile. The radio talk show host has a stroke and cannot continue his show. Vivien decides to apply for the position and gets it. Not having any background in radio and how this specific show works she jumps in and does her best. The program used to be a place for current events and political talk; however, Vivien gets the people to talk about themselves. At first she is not truly accepted but she does win the listeners over and it becomes a close community. A lot goes on with guests, the station managers and the callers and of course, the previous host, but you can find out what happens yourself.
October 21, 2021
This is a beautiful story, written with kindness, wisdom, relevant knowledge and insight.
A talk show - without the angry politics of the outside world!! And yes, I smiled, I laughed, and finally I cried. It definitely captured life in this small coastal town. I would not be surprised to see this someday performed on stage-from Broadway to Summer Theater.
A talk show - without the angry politics of the outside world!! And yes, I smiled, I laughed, and finally I cried. It definitely captured life in this small coastal town. I would not be surprised to see this someday performed on stage-from Broadway to Summer Theater.
June 11, 2024
Ham Martin's Talk Radio takes place in a small town on the coast of Maine. When a beloved radio talk show host, known for prompting discussions about local news and politics, can no handle the job, his replacement - a woman and an outsider! - both annoys and surprises the regular listeners. What wins many of them over is her honesty and vulnerability, which encourage a chain reaction.
May 22, 2021
Sweet and authentic
While the entire narrative is conveyed through dialogue through talk show format via the radio, it’s really a very human tale about the challenges and frustrations of being human. Touching and beautiful.
While the entire narrative is conveyed through dialogue through talk show format via the radio, it’s really a very human tale about the challenges and frustrations of being human. Touching and beautiful.
February 1, 2025
A free copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.
I had a hard time with this book. It relied on conversations between Vivian, the new talk radio host and an odd cast of callers to move the story along. There was really not much of a plot, only a premise. Certain parts of the book were entertaining but for most of it I had to force myself to continue. This should not deter anyone from picking up this book. It just wasn’t my thing.
I had a hard time with this book. It relied on conversations between Vivian, the new talk radio host and an odd cast of callers to move the story along. There was really not much of a plot, only a premise. Certain parts of the book were entertaining but for most of it I had to force myself to continue. This should not deter anyone from picking up this book. It just wasn’t my thing.
December 28, 2025
What disguises itself as a book about small town Maine, and a newcomer to it, is really an exploration of human relationships and what makes them so important. The ending was beautiful. Highly recommend to any NE book lovers
May 15, 2023
Ill be honest I didn’t expect much when I picked this up…. WOW… What a book!
September 10, 2022
If you like small town Maine chatter you may like this book. Similar to the format of Daisy Jones and the Six, this book is almost entirely dialogue on a radio talk show between a newcomer and the locals of the town. It’s about connecting with people, holding your own space, and many other small topics like poetry and snowplows and gardens. There is a loose storyline in the background of all the chatter, revealed as we get to know the regular callers.
The talk show nature was vert well done. There was one part where perspective shifts to a minor character, jarring because it is the only time perspective changes in the book. I liked the ending, it tied up some loose threads while still being realistic like the rest of the book.
The talk show nature was vert well done. There was one part where perspective shifts to a minor character, jarring because it is the only time perspective changes in the book. I liked the ending, it tied up some loose threads while still being realistic like the rest of the book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews