Bride Island

by Alexandra Enders

Six years ago, Polly Birdswell—drinking and deeply unhappy—made a decision that changed her life forever. Believing she could spare her young daughter a legacy of self-destruction, she left her husband and child and moved north to a coastal town in Maine. There, close to Bride Island, the beloved family retreat she considers her true home, she set about getting sober and remaking her life. Now Polly desperately wants seven-year-old Monroe back and is determined to prove—to herself especially—she’s a stable and loving mother. At the same time, a sudden decision to sell Bride Island unleashes a wave of family greed that endangers the island’s future. As Polly and her siblings try to claim ownership of what they love, they discover some things can never truly be owned, and Polly must again ask herself what she’s willing to relinquish. Beautifully written and emotionally complex, Bride Island is a poignant debut novel about love, motherhood, and the haunting and sometimes conflicting pulls of family and the places that shape us.

Genres: Fiction, Family, Chick Lit

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2007

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not even finish... an alcoholic mother of a small child who she freely gave custody to the ex husband when she was over imbibing. Now she has quit drinking and wants to fight for custody - then falls off the wagon. OH so predictable. I had to stop because I did not care.

[Boroj · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love this book!
I love it down to the very small details. I found the side stories, the small ones, the highlight of this novel.

[Teri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Life is too short to suffer through BAD literature.

[eRin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polly Birdswell is living with her decisions. Primarily the decision she made six years ago to pick up and leave her husband and young daughter. That decision was made because of her alcoholism. Now, she is sober, living in Maine, has a steady job, and is attempting to fix the parts of her life that she destroyed years ago. The small town where she lives is close to Bride Island, her family's small island used as a summer retreat. But for Polly, the island feels more like home than just a summer getaway. Now she is trying to salvage her relationship with her daughter, as well as save the family island. But will she be able to convince everyone else that she really has changed?

Not as good as I was hoping, but not a bad read. I primarily picked it up because of the Maine connection--my grandparents are from there and while I've only visited once, it's a place that I have great memories of. And I'm always interested in the lives of those who live year round in areas that are primarily viewed as seasonal, fiction or nonfiction. So, not as much as I was hoping for, but some good descriptions of Maine. Much of the book is predictable, but not horrible.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows a year in the life of Polly Birdwell, beginning with a summer holiday visit from her 7 year old daughter. Six years previously Polly made the decision that it was best for her daughter Monroe to be raised by her father whilst she pull herself out of an all consuming alcoholic depression. Now with her life feeling calmer and more under control she wants to explore regaining custody of her daughter.
An integral link throughout the story is Bride Island, a small island on the coast of Maine, her beloved family retreat owned by Polly's stepfather. Much of Polly's self discovery is linked in to past summer holidays with her 3 siblings growing up on this island.
Whilst the pace is a little tedious in places earlier on this is an interesting read exploring Polly's relationships with family and lovers. The read become more satisfying as more of the complexities are revealed and the story unfolds.

[Nicole Otting · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a recovering alcoholic, Polly, who left her daughter at 6 months old along with her husband. Years later, the book starts on a trip Polly and her daughter Monroe (Monnie) to Bride Island which has been in Polly's family for years. At this time, Polly only gets to see her daughter for brief stints in the summer but does not have full/partial custody. This is a story of Polly's family not forgiving her for past mistakes, her ex-husband not wanting her to be a more involved part of Monnie's life, and Polly's childhood regrets. I liked this book but I felt it ended very quickly. I felt that Enders didn't know how to end this book so she just picked a point in writing to stop. I'm a little dissapointed in how the story ends, and a little confused still about Polly's relationship with her brother, Colin who died when they were children. Worth the read, but not one of my favorites.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS

"Six years ago, Polly Birdswell—drinking and deeply unhappy—made a decision that changed her life forever. Believing she could spare her young daughter a legacy of self-destruction, she left her husband and child and moved north to a coastal town in Maine. There, close to Bride Island, the beloved family retreat she considers her true home, she set about getting sober and remaking her life. Now Polly desperately wants seven-year-old Monroe back and is determined to prove—to herself especially—she's a stable and loving mother. At the same time, a sudden decision to sell Bride Island unleashes a wave of family greed that endangers the island's future. As Polly and her siblings try to claim ownership of what they love, they discover some things can never truly be owned, and Polly must again ask herself what she's willing to relinquish." (From Amazon)

A beautifully written novel.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Real, truthful and gritty, I felt more at peace with myself as a human being after reading this novel."

Honestly the pretty bottles on the cover caused me to pick this book up and take it to the cash register. I'm a shameless judge of a books cover, I admit it. So to find that this book is wonderful in so many ways was a true treat. To see the struggles the main character goes through, and how badly she wants her life to be a certain way but she literally just can't seem to get there. It's such a paralyzing read, you just can't seem to put it down. You're rooting for the her, but you see so simply what she needs to do, I think it all just gave me a new respect for people who struggle with addictions -- and we all do in some way shape or form.

[dale paul]

This book was found in a prison-turned-hostel at Ottawa Canada. Inside it reads: "You have found this book 'in the world'. You can claim it and then you release it!" Then: "Book Crossing # 776-5379158 Please register this book at www. bookcrossing.com + tell what you think of it, then pass it on and let this book go free again! This book started it's journey at the Ottawa Goal Aug 2007." Interesting enough, I thought, so I picked it up. I hope it's a book worth passing on. The back reads with a cliched voice so we'll see. I already passed on my own little seed into the world after I took this one home. Mine, I think, was a much more valuable book, but, we shall see.

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recovering alcoholic Polly is mother to a 6 year daughter. Polly struggles to remain sober while being immersed in a very disfunctional family. Having abandoned her daughter with her ex when she was a baby Polly struggles with wanting more now and the resistance she encounters with her ex. She finds solace in the the family's retreat, Bride Island.
This story started out rather heavy, sad. Polly's struggle with finding herself is overwhelming at times, the life of an alcoholic with no alcohol is only half of the battle. Her love for her family, her daughter specifically really pulls her through. The last 1/3 of this book took some unexpected yet pleasant turns.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It's the story of a recovering alcoholic trying to get her life back on track, regaining custody of her young daughter, dealing with her less than supportive family and coming to terms with her childhood actions. She love the island that her family owns and is trying to save it from being sold after the death of her step-father. I loved the poignant scenes where she's on the island, isolated from the world around her, paralleling the isolation she suffers as an effect of her alcoholism. She isn't perfect, and she stumbles along her way, making it more real than cookie cutter and unbelievable.

[Mirah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book ended up being much better than I expected. While I didn't feel much of a connection with the main character, I felt the author did a good job exploring difficult family relationships. Some of the characters were so frustrating....and at the same time realistic. It's sad, but true, that people make choices and treat people they way they do in this book. Overall, a good read, but it could have been better...I think there were some unresolved storylines at the end concerning the family's past.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

i enjoyed the first part of this book and the end -- the middle could have been ripped out as it added nothing to the story. i had high hopes of really enjoying this book because it takes place in Maine where i lived for 13 years, but it fell a little flat for me. i love a good "dysfunctional family" story and this definitely has that, but i had a hard time caring about or sympathizing with the characters -- they were almost "too much" of a mess and i really thought everyone should just "throw in the towel" and go their separate ways.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. A story of a woman who is trying to right the wrongs she has done in the past due to alcoholism. Her experiences within her own family who all totter and fall into alcoholic tendencies. I would suggest taking breaks from the book at the especially destructive points, as I found myself heavy with the characters pain and destructive behavior. Overall a believable story of redemption and new beginnings through trial and error.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is not bad. It's about a woman's struggle to obtain the two things she wants most in the world: custody of her daughter and possession of Bride Island (which has been in her family for generations). The trouble is proving she can handle both after she's made some bad life choices and fallen into alcoholism. It's an interesting story and doesn't take the predictable paths one would think.

[Ala · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read, although sometimes I yearned for more action. I was frustrated with the protagonist halfway through. I kept looking at how many pages were left, not because I wanted it to end, but I realized there were not enough pages left for the outcome I would have preferred. There was a twist from the past that I didn't think was necessary, but somewhat aided in the protagonist's motives. The outcome of the story was surprisingly satisfactory.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read for a rainy afternoon or the beach. Predictable story line. Woman becomes an alcoholic, leaves her husband and infant child. Years later, after becoming sober, with setbacks, she decides she wants custody of her daughter. But her own ghosts and dysfunctional alcoholic family stands in her way. She doesn't know how to live in anything but the past where she felts, and still feels, that she is worthless and unlovable.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wonderful. I loved the simple life that the protagonist chose to live. She is a recovering alcoholic, who has given up custody of her daughter to her ex-husband. The book is about family relationships, her rebuilding something of her own with her daughter, and the island cabin that has been in the family that she loves to go to. She finds her peace there.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book in a discount book store in Virginia and at last had my 'local' Maine read for the summer. It covers the struggles of a family with stressed economic conditions working to keep a remote island/family summer home in the family. Trying to relive the past is not easy or even possible in most situations but often we all struggle to try.

[Dianah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This went by fast because for most (if not all) of the book, the main character was such a train wreck. That being said, though, there were some aspects of the storyline that I felt were more for shock value than anything (aka the weird relationship she had with her brothers) - and we're kind of detracting. The rest of the book left a lot to be missed as well.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I am a fan of feel good books. This is one of them. It’s just an easy read with a good, interesting character. The main character has her shares of troubles and I like the way the author really lets you look into what kind of person she was. This is about a woman who has real struggles in life. I enjoyed this book!

[Nancy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit Intriguing. An introspective novel that focuses on bad choices and alcoholic hazes. The characters all seem to have flaws that are magnified by their life choices and lifestyles. Most seem to lack a moral compass.
Cold, stern Maine backdrops this story of a family island that has seen tragedy but holds dear to our heroine. The conclusion comes quick, with a satisfactory outcome.

[kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, Sweet summer book. Another woman finding her way back and beyond from falling apart. She gets her mind back and clarity and vision returns amid a backdrop of familial drama, the water and an island she always knew was HER place. Fast and engrossing read. (for me)

[Ryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book that was at times slow and painful. The main character and her family are very damaged people, and it's not a very enjoyable read. But it is interesting as far as family dynamics, personal change, and growth go.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought a bunch of bargain books this summer, and even though they were all listed as former bestsellers, most of them weren't very good. This one was the best so far. It was enjoyable enough but not a page turner that kept you up all night, which is sometimes a good quality in a book.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow beginning but worked its way into a rich and clear book touching intimately on the human condition ~ alcoholism & forgetting our place in this world. Fabulous book about how we so rarely see what is clearly in front of our eyes. History repeats itself and some of us find our way out.

[HollyR Chew]

A story of a recovering alcoholic who wants to regain custody of her daughter. The books begins on Bride Island, the island of her family's vacation home where her brother drowned when the children were young.

[Elizabeth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, story line kept me interested. I liked that the main character was complex and messy. Made her relatable. I also liked how the story picked up closer to the end. I will look for other work done by this author in the future!

[Sara]

Another book involving family problems. In short, boring. Happy I read it. Happy to pass it on.

[Caitlin Meagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not too bad, kinda strange. Good quick beach read.