I just spent a couple of delightful days reading Margreete’s Harbor by Eleanor Morse. The setting is on the rugged coastline of Maine from 1955-1968 with a three generational family. Margreete Bright calls her daughter, Liddie who is living in Michigan with her husband, Harry and two young children, Bernie and Eva (Gretchen is born in Maine), that her kitchen caught on fire. Liddie is worried that her mother is suffering from some dementia. Margreete will not move to Michigan, so the family moves to Maine. I loved this story for so many reasons, First, the time period. If I was a character in the book, I would be between Bernie and Eva. For me, Morse nails the time period as so many events that happened brought back good and sad memories. This was a family that experienced good times, hurtful times, and everyday problems. I laughed. I cried. I hurt for them at times. I felt the love they had even when they didn’t agree. The only part that bothered me was the ending. I sure hope there is a sequel to see what happens with this family. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

MARGREETE'S HARBOR
BY ELEANOR MORSE

First off, I was a little bit annoyed when this beautifully written story about a wholesome family showed up on my dashboard so close to the archive date because I had to drop everything and read it immediately. I don't even remember requesting it--that's how long ago it took to arrive. I did really enjoy it anyway, so I am grateful to have read it. Basically this was one of those feel good stories about a wholesome family. That is not to say that the story didn't have its heartbreaking moments because it did. For those that loved this, I would like to recommend a historical novel that reminded me of this that I read and reviewed about a month ago. I feel that my review didn't do the book justice called, "IN ALL GOOD FAITH," written by Liza Nash Taylor. It is chock filled with warmth and lovable character's; Even the secondary character's are inherently full of goodness and while reading your brain gives off all of those happy chemicals. It is also family oriented and very interesting for its backdrop setting in the early 1930's after the stock market crash. I can guarantee that if you loved this one then you will feel all of the good feels without the heartbreak reading, "In All Good Faith." It doesn't publish until August of this year so there is plenty of time to read it at your leisure. It is very similar to "Margreet's Harbor," but without the sad parts. I only mentioned it because it reminded me of this one.

In "Margreet's Harbor," written by Eleanor Morse this is a story that takes place in the middle of the 1950's and also up until 1968, making it historical fiction for its time period. The political backdrop that is part of this novel is nostalgic for those of us that lived through the events. Those of us who are old enough to remember those kinder, simpler times can't help but feel a longing and wish things were still as simple compared to 2020 and the present day. Margreet is a lovable senior citizen who has been married three times, who lives alone in the very beginning of this story. She has two son's and one daughter and as the novel begins only two grandchildren, (that we know of). Margreet is suffering with Alzheimer's disease with some dementia. She is lucid sometimes but at the point of forgetfulness. One morning she starts cooking and then walks away to go upstairs and burns down her entire kitchen. She has the presence of mind to throw a pan filled with water to try to put out the fire as it roars towards the ceiling. She also has the presence of mind to run outside and drop and roll around in the snow to put out the fire that has caught onto herself. Lucky for Margreet, her neighbor calls the volunteer fire department and they arrive in time to put out the fire so that its only the kitchen that is destroyed and not her entire house.

After the fire is put out one of the firemen remain and rescues Margreet by offering to go upstairs to her bedroom and get her a change of clothing. The reason being so that she has something to wear so that she can change out of her nightgown and into clothing to wear during the day. She is very outspoken and tells the nice fireman who stayed behind that he is not to touch her underwear. He takes her out to breakfast to a nearby community diner and he buys her breakfast. The owner of the diner offers to make sure that Margreet has cooked meals supplied to her while her entire kitchen gets remodeled. That is what I meant by a kind and simpler time period. People were likely to help out one another in times of crises without expecting to be repaid. People looked out for each other.

As far as the setting is concerned, I don't believe that I have ever heard of a town called Burnt Harbor, Maine. Bath, Maine exists which is mentioned to be North of Portland which is accurate. Also, Bath Iron Works exists. I was wondering if Burnt Harbor, a peninsular that Margreet lives on was based from or borrowed from the actual Bar Harbor, Maine which is located far north from Bath, Maine. Bangor, Maine is also mentioned in this novel which is way up in Northern Maine. I was curious why the author used correct locations in Maine and deviated from actual locations only to make up a fictitious location where Margreet lives in. All other locations mentioned are real except for Burnt Harbor. It could exist but I have never heard of it. At any rate, all the other locations mentioned are real and exist today except for Burnt Harbor.

Margreet tells the fireman who takes her to breakfast that she must reluctantly call her only daughter, Liddie, who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan to tell her about the accidental fire in Margreet's kitchen. Liddie is married to Harry and at this time they have two young children named Bernie and his younger sister Eva. Liddie receives the phone call from Margreet telling her the news about the loss of the kitchen due to the fire. Liddie offers to fly back to Maine for a short visit after Margreet turns Liddie's invitation for paying for Margreet's airfare to Michigan. Liddie tells Harry about the fire and he suggests putting Margreet in a nursing home. Liddie refuses to put Margreet in a nursing home and Margreet would never consent to it. She wants to remain in her own home and it is decided that Liddie, Harry, Bernie, Eva and their dog Fred will pack up their lives and move to Burnt Harbor into Margreet's home with her. The reason being is that Margreet can't safely remain living alone anymore. Since Margreet won't move to Michigan and Liddie is the only adult child that simply doesn't have the heart to go against her mother's wishes her own family will make the sacrifice to move in with Margreet so that she can live out the rest of her life on her own terms.

Liddie plays and teaches the Cello. Harry is a history teacher and they decide that the only option is to uproot their family and move to Maine. While they are all together in Maine, Harry and Liddie have a third child whom is another daughter that they name Gretchen. We as reader's get to live with this family and vicariously witness Liddie and Harry's problematic marriage. Liddie, while she is a caring and loving mother to her children and is kind and empathetic towards her mother, she is sort of cold towards her husband Harry. Harry is by no means perfect either. He is strongly against the Vietnam war and he makes his opinion about it very aggressively towards his students by acting inappropriately by bringing his viewpoints about the war by sharing graphic descriptions about it during class. He gets warned more than once by the high school Principal that he is on thin ice as far as his job goes. Harry strongly dislikes his boss and his job. He is warned that he is to keep his classroom curriculum strictly to what is printed in the textbooks and to keep his propaganda out of the classroom. There is some infidelity which didn't surprise me due to the problematic marriage.

Throughout the novel Harry is always kind to Margreet. I didn't like the smacking of the children. I thought that all three kids were good kid's and I was impressed how kind they all were towards Margreet and to the animals. Their dog Fred was such a lovable and protective pet and he was very much a main character. Eleanor Morse writes beautiful and stunning prose. She uses similes and metaphors throughout her nuanced writing to evoke vivid descriptions whether it is the atmospheric setting or her realistic dialogue. The characterization is brilliant and evocative and very believable. Her character's are all very reflective and that is what makes her narrative so unique and brilliant. I really enjoyed this very real rendering of this whole family's trials and tribulations. This is historical and literary fiction at its best. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this novel when it publishes in just two days from now. 5 Glorious stars!

Publication Date: April 20, 2021

Thank you to Net Galley, Eleanor Morse and St. Martin's for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#Margreet'sHarbor #Eleanor Morse #StMartin's #NetGalley

A sad story of a family dealing with an aging mother that nearly burns the house down. Margreete is struggling with her memories and being unable to live on her own. Liddie meanwhile is also struggling with her desire to move back to Maine. She packs up her family to go home to Maine and help Margreete.

A beautifully written story about a family living in Maine. Margreete burns down her kitchen and it makes her daughter realize what needs to be done. She packs her family up and moves from Michigan to Maine to take care of her mother who has dementia. The story is set in the 50/60’s when political feelings are high. This story will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It will make you realize why elderly people and pets are important in our lives. We can learn so much from elderly people who have lived in times that we didn’t. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Over the course of the 1950’s and ‘60’s you will meet Harry, Liddie, Bernie, Eva, and Gretchen. When we meet this family Liddie’s mother Margreete, has just burned her kitchen down. Liddie decides the best course of action is to move their family back to Maine to help care for her mother who has memory issues.

This is a very simple story for the most part of this family. Not everything is roses, but for the mostly this is about a typical family. What makes this story is the era that this book surround, from JFK’s and MLK’s assassination to the Vietnam War and whether you support it or not.

What I loved about this book, is that it really felt like it captured a family living in that era, while not perfect you can really tell this family loves each other immensely. I just wanted to spend more time with them and know where they all landed.

I fear this book will not get the hype it deserves. If you love a good family drama with lots of character development, then give this one a chance.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When it's clear that Magreete is no longer able to live safely at home, her daughter Liddie, more or less against the wishes of her husband Harry, decides they will move to Maine to care for her. This starts the 1950s and carries the family, each of whom gives their perspective, through the 1960s. So much happened in the world during this time frame but the story is told more about the impact of events than by having the protagonists experience them. It's about the family- Harry, Liddie, Eva, Bermie, Gretchen, and, of course, Magreete- but it's not, oddly, a family saga. It felt somewhat detached to me, especially given the tumult of the times. I'm going to be the odd one out for finding fault with some of the writing, which felt overwrought at times. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction.

A family story set in Maine the story revolves around a couple and their two children who return to Maine to stay with the wife’s mother who has dementia. Spanning a 10-year time from the late 1950’s through the 1960’s it’s a look at how everyone copes, not only with the changes in Grandma but in the changing world around them. It is a story written from the heart. It’s a story in which the reader will feel deeply for all the characters.

Margreetei’s Harbor had promise for me. Margreete was suffering from dementia and needed her daughter, Liddie’s, help. So Liddie moved her family across the country to take of her mother. I think I was hoping for more Margreete and less of the rest of the family. I could not figure out the purpose of the story and where it was going. My best description would be- a family uprooted to a new town and how they muddle through life. I found myself skimming over many of the descriptive paragraphs. And yet I finished the book. So something held me to it.

If you need a moving plot, this book isn't it. This is character driven literary fiction, you are sitting next to a family for a period of 10ish years in their life. It reminds me of a book that I cannot put my finger on the title of. I liked it a lot, it had a nice cadence. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Margreete is slowly sinking into dementia, and when she burns up her kitchen. she calls her daughter to confess. The rest of the book is about how her daughter, Liddie, her husband and children come to live with Margreete in order to keep her safe. Chapters bounce from one character to another, revealing small pieces of who they are, or who they might become, the book progressing slowly with little real action, and very little real character growth. And through it all, Margreete, despite being the only character named in the title, becomes less and less the center of the story. The political issues of the time period are touched on briefly; dementia is a focus, until it isn’t; there is a brief dalliance that may or may not be considered adultery; there are hints about homophobia and bigotry and pedophilia, but none of it really goes anywhere, despite a great deal of self-righteousness. This is a beautifully written book that tries to be a lot of things, but in the end it doesn’t succeed in being any one of them very efficiently. The ending is pretty disappointing, with so much left unsaid, which is exactly the point, I guess, since nobody in this book ever says out loud the things they need to say, or the things that need to be heard - a metaphor for the dementia that locked Margreete in a world of swirling memories and not much in the way of solid communication perhaps?

I tried to get into this book but it's honestly not holding my interest.
It's not that it's a bad book, it's just not for me. I'm not enjoying it. I thought it was going to be great and am very sorry that it's not for me.
I'm sure other people I know will enjoy it immensely.
I do like the time period and it's well written but just is not keeping me involved.

3/5 stars and a huge thank you to #NetGalley, #EleanorMorse, #Stmartinspress for this ARC. This is my honest feelings about this book.

This book has a very interesting premise, set in a part of the country that I love, with characters who are complex. A family drama set during the mid-50s through the late 60’s, it also dealt with the turmoil and an ever-changing world. Emotions in the book are raw and honest, but I felt like it was a bit flat, lacking the heart I crave in the books I love.

When Margreete's dementia becomes too bad to allow her to live alone, her daughter Liddie moves her family from Michigan to the coast of Maine. There they struggle with the changing family dynamics and the tumultuous events of the 1960s. Margreete's Harbor is a literary family drama with a pace so slow that I found it downright boring. Although many reviewers love this character-driven story, I felt the narration jumped too frequently between characters, leaving me with just a glancing understanding instead of the deep connection I craved.

This is s story of a mother going through alzheimers in the 50-60's. The Era when it wasn't even diagnosed as that. The struggles that she & her family go through in this disease no one knew alot about. This is a very formative story. I recommend this book to anyone wanting a good family story. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for my early review copy

I received a free electronic ARC of this excellent historical novel from Netgalley, Eleanor Morse, and St. Martin's Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Margreete's Harbor of my own volition, and this review represents my honest opinion of this work. I am especially pleased to have 'found' Eleanor Morse. She is a writer with warmth and style I find particularly pleasing, one I will follow.

A novel of the 1960's on the coast of Maine, this tale brings us right into the trials and tribulations of the day, as well as immersing us into a family dynamic that many of us have faced at one time or another. Margreete Bright, a strong-willed, independent soul, is drifting into dementia. Her only child Liddie lives with her husband Harry and their children Eva and Bernie, in Michigan. Their life is well established and fulfilling but Margreete has set fire to the kitchen, it is not safe for her to continue to live alone, and there is not enough money to hire a home nurse. Liddie would not consider placing her mother in a nursing home - an act that would kill her sooner rather than later. The only foreseeable solution is for Liddie to uproot her family, move home, and start over in Burnt Harbor so they will be there to take care of Margreete. They will all miss their life in Michigan but must do what they must do. Margreete will not leave her home so they must go to her.

And it's not so bad as it could have been. The family home Liddie grew up in, though a bit shabby and needing upkeep, is large and accommodating and situated on the harbor. Harry finds work teaching at a local school, Liddie set's up cello classes and soon has as many students as she can handle, and though she misses the group she did concerts with for years in Michigan, she is sure she will find another group of like-minded souls. The kids find friends quickly and don't hate their school, and life settles down to a dull roar. Some of the problems that dementia brings on are nerve-racking but Margreete is also very funny and is occasionally the woman she once was. We watch this family grow and flourish, the love and compassion even the children have for Margreete making it all worthwhile.

The 1960s were very trying times. We have the Vietnam War, the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and Bobby Kennedy, the moonwalk, and the cold war. We see them all through the eyes of this family, these youngsters, and if you are like me, it puts you right back there. But there were very good occasions in those times, and we see them as well.

Altogether an enjoyable walk through the past, with a family you will love. I can't wait to read more from Eleanor Marse. Fortunately, she has more works already out there.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"Margreete’s Harbor tells the story of ten years in the history of a family."

Many historical happenings cited in this interesting story. I liked the characters with all of the good and bad.

3.75☆

3.5 stars

This book had some good moments here and there but it took me almost until the end before I started appreciating the story as a whole. So maybe not the best reading experience because I wasn't fully engaged at times, but overall I'm glad I read it.

It's the late 1950s and Margreete wants to maintain her independence even though she is becoming more and more forgetful. Her daughter Liddie is concerned her mom can't properly take care of herself. So Liddie, her husband, Harry, and their children move into Margreete's coastal Maine home. The story spans a few decades and follows the lives of each family member. Stick around and you get to witness the good, the bad, and everything in between when it comes to this family.

The story has a bit of a slow pace feel even though it moves through many years and alternates between different characters. To be frank, I was bored during certain parts of the story. Having finished the book I can say I like what the author tried to bring to the table for each character even though I didn't always like how it was written. As a family drama, this book doesn't rank high on my favorites list but there were some key moments that hit me in a positive way. By the end, everything came together so basically I liked the final destination even if it was a rough journey.

I usually LOVE books like this - slow, character novels that leave you feeling like you made new friends. For some reason, though, I had a hard time with this one. I put it down twice, for a good long while each time, but each time after reading a good review of it I picked it back up. At one point, I felt like I must be nearing the end of the novel and looked down to see I was only 30% in! Too slow for me. Although the writing is beautiful and the characters are well drawn.

Well, I’m sad this over.
I haven’t had much time to read the past week but I’ve spent a little time with this family each day and looked forward to picking up where I left off.
Margreete lives in Burnt Harbor, Maine. She is losing her memory and had an accident where she set her kitchen on fire.
Her daughter Liddie lives in Michigan and packs up her family ... husband, children and dog and they all move back to Maine to live with Margreete.
I just loved the family and how they all lived together and took care of Margreete , and Margreete’s interactions with all of them.
This book covers the years from 1955 to the late 60’s which I loved. JFK, MLK, and the Vietnam War where all a part of the story.
Recommend!
4.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

I didn’t gel well with “Margreete’s Harbor”. Unfortunately Eleanor Morse’s writing was not a great match for me.
It started out promising, on the coast of Maine, beginning with a kitchen fire, followed by heartfelt kindness from locals offering to help ‘Margreete’ who had dementia.

It soon switches to Margreete’s family who were living in Michigan. ( for eight years - but Liddie, Margreete’s daughter still missed her hometown of Maine).
Liddie was cello player. Her husband, Harry, a school teacher.
The children were Bernie, Eva, and newborn, Gretchen.
Romeo was the cat. Fred, the dog.
Much later, we meet Meatball, another kitten.
Liddie wanted to move back to Maine....move in with Margreete. The house was big enough to accommodate their family.
Liddie offered to take the children to Maine. Her husband could stay in Michigan.
“Why on earth would you say such a thing? They’re my kids, too. We’re married. . .Unless you don’t want to be married”.
“I want to be married”.
“I don’t want to move there, he said”.

RED FLAGS....went up for me right away. Did Liddie value her husband’s needs? Would she ‘really’ have moved to Maine if her husband had refused? I felt she would have.
Well... the family uprooted and moved to Maine. Harry never really wanted to move....but he went along with the plan.
I was thinking —
A couple with three little kids, a dog and cat, - each with needs - were really going to function well living in a new place, with a woman that needed protective care for both herself and from each family members and the animals. It was a lot— felt too chaotic to me.
The responsibility of caretaking Margreete and her advancing dementia with a baby and two other young kids, was going to mostly fall on Liddie. Harry definitely needed to work.
The kids needed to adjust to meeting new friends
The stress put on everyone - created by choice - felt like a train wreck.

For me - this story was nails-on-a-chalkboard. I cringed many times.
I wasn’t crazy about the many descriptions....(very wordy), the lack of real communication between family members, minimal family dialogue, and characters who mostly left me cold. (the children too).
I also felt this story didn’t know what it’s clear purpose was.
The dementia part of the storytelling was one-dimensional, stereotyped; flat.
The historical and political parts felt like a mail delivery drop off.

The often non-sequitur-connection writing drove me bonkers. And whenever the author started to take a risk - open up a taboo topic...she backed down from it. Playing it ‘safe’....the author would open up possible emotional stress - loneliness & unhappiness - the possible affair - the possible sexual abuse - the possible draft evasion....but everything just continue to fall flat.
In the meantime - we were provided with historical news: The assassination of Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.....and a quick look at racial issues - yet, again nothing too deep - ( just the daily news coverage).

So....overall, this American family story - spanning over a dozen or so more years - through the 50’s and 60’s ....and early 70’s, didn’t move my groove.

Sample excerpts — [truthfully....I found the writing elementary, and rather dull]
“The sun broke through the clouds just after four-thirty and cast a golden light over the fields and the people searching, and that light seem to say that everything would be all right. But then the sun went lower and the golden light disappeared, and a chill fell”.

“Eva ran upstairs to get her grandmother’s slippers and fell on the way and scuffed her knees. What came out of her was the sound of residual hysteria, galloping like a horse out of a burning barn”.

“On the subway, a couple sat across from them, he in a white T-shirt, she in a skimpy black sweater. Her face was wide and flat, and the boyfriend couldn’t take his eyes off her. He grabbed her and pulled her toward him; she laughed and pushed him away. He chewed his fingernails for a moment, then looked at her ear as though he’d like to inhale her”.

“Eva studied the back of her brothers big, round head as he looked out the opposite window—the curiosity and eagerness in his neck, the cowlick that made his hair stick up at the crown—and at that moment, she loved him with her conscious brain, maybe for the first time ever. But even then she knew it wasn’t a love she could count on. At any moment, it could change. She remembered once when a storm was brewing and her mother rushed out to the clothesline to grab the clothes.”

“Bernie looked out his window and Eva out hers at endless fields of corn and melons, at daisies and buttercups and black eyed Susan‘s, at cows standing in the shade of trees. Grain silos, dogs chained in yard, a farmer on a tractor under the skeleton of an umbrella, a falling-down bandstand, towering cumulus clouds. The only thing that relieved the sound of the tires on pavement was Bernie’s excited voice, reading out Burma-Shave advertisements, one sign board at a time”.

Liddie...
“When was the last time she told Harry she loved it?”
“She taught students at home that afternoon, while the snow fell quietly. At first it blanketed every twig, every tip of the picket fence that leaned drunkenly toward the road, settled over the red flag on the mailbox, the peaked roof of the birdfeeder, over the windowsills, laying it’s self down on the larger boughs of the maple trees along the driveway. It fell and kept falling, over the dark limbs of the apple tree, which turned white against the gray and darkening sky. Her last student canceled”.

I don’t mind slow. I don’t mind reflective-introspective novels. I like character driven stories....
But every range-of-development....be it the characters, (no growth), the struggles, the history, the political thoughts, all fell flat.

Sorry....I just can’t possibly glow over this book


However, thank you ( always) > St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley, and Eleanor for providing me with an advance read.