Cover Image: Fellowship Point

Fellowship Point

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Member Reviews

First off, Alice Elliott Dark is a lovely writer. That being said, I found Fellowship to be a slow book and so very long. I did adore the character of Alice and I cried at the end, but there were parts along the way where I nearly gave up. I have recommended this title to patrons that like Amor Towles and other long, character-driven books. Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion.

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I loved this book - it tells the story of a friendship over their lifespan, with summers on the east coast. A lovely book for those that want a little bit of drama but not too much.

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Fellowship Point reminded me of George Eliot‘s Middlemarch (one of my very favorite classics). It reads like a Victorian novel in modern form. It's sprawling and meandering. It is a multigenerational saga centered around a place Fellowship Point on the Maine coastline and an exploration on ownership, inheritance and stewardship. Fellowship Point is also focused on the characters inhabiting the Point at least for the summer, their psyches, and the nuanced connections and relationships between them. Through psychological observations and character development, Dark poses big and important questions about what it means to live a good life and a juxtaposing layout between Agnes Lee and Polly Wister. The setting and the nature descriptions are phenomenal and on top of everything there’s a literary mystery to solve. I should have read this one sooner.
This was an absolute delight and a real contender for my favorite book of

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Agnes Lee doesn’t have much time. She is a celebrated children’s author who is trying to protect her legacy and the land around her home. This piece of land, in Maine is her sanctuary and she doesn’t want it ruined. Polly Wister hasn’t lived the same kind of life Agnes has. Polly has her own life and her friendship causes some kinks. Because she is best friends with Agnes, is a shareholder and she doesn’t know which way to vote, because of her husband’s and sons and her don’t agree. Fellowship Point, needs to not be divided up and Agnes has to convince shareholders to agree. All this is going on while a a young book editor named Maude Silver, asks Agnes to work on her memoir. She is eager to do it but she isn’t sure if she can tell all the secrets of her life. It is a tough decision to made while she is trying to get all the other things settled in Fellowship Point. This was an interesting story. The writing and the characters were very intriguing. Alice Elliott Dark, did an excellent job telling this story. This was a four star read for me. I want to thank Netgalley and the author my copy, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this book. I hope you enjoy it too!!!

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This chonky, delightful book was a joy to read. Following two women in their early 80s, Polly and Agnes, the story centers around their resolve to keep their small plot of land on the Maine coast (where they have visited each year since stye were children) their own and in the family.

Agnes is a children's book author, as well as secretly writing an adult series about the women in her social circles in Pennsylvania (she writes one a decade, I wish I could read them!) Unmarried but not lonely, Agnes has her best friend Polly who is very much married, to an aging intellectual who cares only about his work, and is also accompanied by their 4 children (some of whom don't want to help their mother keep the land).

Agnes writing her memoir leads to many looks into the past as we uncover decade old secrets, stories, and learn more about the women's journeys. It is a profound and complex book, but one that is also enduring and sweet. I loved each character, especially Polly and Agnes, and it also has a fantastic twist at the end that I didn't seem coming! A perfect late summer read this for this Labor Day weekend if you're looking for something immersing and voluminous.

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Another book that may very well have been a "right story at the wrong time", but I just couldn't sink my teeth into it. I made four attempts at getting into the story or developing an attachment, or an interest, in the characters. Unfortunately the way the story began left me wanting to pick up other books on my shelf. I'm learning that it takes something special for me to invest in a fictional world, and this one didn't have it. Maybe I'll try at a time when I have more mental capacity or patience.

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Stories centering on homes and land held across generations abound, especially those featuring beaches. Many are just frivolous and shallow, others are jaded with selfish characters. Few stand out like FELLOWSHIP POINT. Filled with complex characters and multiple story lines connected by the life of 80 year old children's author Agnes Less. FELLOWSHIP POINT is a story you won't forget. While I found the book slow reading at times, it became apparent that the slower pace was necessary to give justice to all the characters and their story lines. Back when I taught literature, we always defined good characterization as characters who are dynamic, who change as their story is told. That is certainly true for this many faceted story that focuses Agnes and her neighbors in the 1960's, 70's and the 2000's. I would especially recommend this title to mature readers who want books featuring likewise mature characters who still have much to share about love, loyalty, and strength. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are mine.

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Celebrated children’s book author, eighty-year-old spinster, Agnes Lee, has left an indelible mark on the literary world. But her goal to secure her legacy and protect the majestic coastline of Maine’s Fellowship Point really drives her. Now that the next generation is determined to sell the land to a developer, Agnes is adamant about protecting this bird sanctuary by creating a land trust, especially after her third breast cancer diagnosis.

However, her path is fraught with obstacles, not the least of which is convincing shareholders to dissolve a generations-old partnership. And to make matters worse, one of those shareholders is her best friend, Polly Wister. Agnes and Polly are childhood friends who grew up together in 1930s Philadelphia and summered in their cottages on Fellowship Point, an unspoiled coastal Maine peninsula shared by their Quaker families for generations.

Polly has lived a different life than Agnes. Despite her wealth and privilege, she has devoted her life to creating beauty and harmony in her home, friendships, and family. But as Agnes's request pits her against the wishes of her three sons, Polly finds herself at a crossroads, torn between her loyalties and desires.

An enterprising young book editor named Maud Silver sets out to convince a cantankerous Agnes to write her memoirs, throwing a wrench into Agnes's already complicated plans. The two form a unique attachment.

As a woman of a certain age, it was hard for me to read about Agnes, Polly, and her husband growing old. Getting old certainly isn’t for sissies. Yet the bond between Polly and Agnes was so endearing. I’m blessed to have long-term friends who support each other.

Fellowship Point’s plot was unique and well thought out. The book never really captured my attention, though, and I started losing interest almost right away. About halfway through, I was just plain bored. I found it well written, but at almost 600 pages, it was just too long. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.


P.S. I learned something historically important about Quakers. Thomas Scattergood (aka the “Mournful Prophet” because he suffered from depression) founded Friends Hospital in North Philadelphia in 1813 as The Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason. The Quakers interpreted mental illness differently than most. They believed every person was born with an Inner Light that shone with integrity. In the mentally ill, that light flickered, but the mind might heal itself in an environment of rest, good food, fresh air, and general dedication to health. The Friends Hospital now sits on a beautiful 100-acre campus and still has the same mission.

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I ran out of time and was not able to finish this book. The plot looks interesting, and I hope to be able to read this soon.

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I can write no review with the proper words to do this novel justice! It has made my all-time favorite list of books! I loved it from the start, realizing that it was something special, and then grew to love it even more, the further I read.

The story is about Agnes and Polly, who have been friends for forever. They both have summer homes at Fellowship Point, a private community in Maine. And as they grow older, they need to make many life-alerting decisions, one of which is what to about this property. Through flashbacks and letters, the reader learns about their lives in a fabulous storytelling way. I grew to love these women and the cast of characters they surrounded themselves with. After reading the last page, I grew teary and hugged my Kindle. I will be purchasing a print version so that it can sit on my shelf.

This book needs to be read slowly so that it can be savored. It is the very best kind of literary fiction. I highly recommend it.

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L.A.
320 reviews
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July 4, 2022
Never mind that it took me a few days to read this one, but in the book's defense it was in between deadlines of others. It is a long book nonetheless, but well worth a glimpse into the lives of three women in their Golden Years. Lives well-lived on the coast of Maine, with an intricate history behind its inhabitants. It is woven into a mirage of women's lives from different classes. Their endless wit and full of life wisdom helps to forget the secrets and scattered memories revealed.

Agnes is in her 80's, single and a children's author under a pseudonym. Her Great-grandfather bought the land she lives on in 1870 and had 5 houses built for family members. It is under an association with the hopes to preserve the natural beauty and sanctuary. When a developer sweeps in to make an offer for the 145 acres, Agnes is dissolved to live out her cancer ridden body in hopes to get the families to agree to leave the land in a trust so it can't be developed.

Agnes's life long friend, Polly, has lived a life of luxury and devotes her time to her professor husband and their 4 children. She adores her friend, but she is skeptical of Agnes proposal and not convinced of her plot. Repercussions are ensued if the land divides their Fellowship Point.

Maud, a single mother and coping with her aging mother, asked Agnes to write her memoir and reveal long buried secrets. Her relationship with the other two ladies is just an additive to this complicated thing we call life. Together they are unlimited unless the division of the land divides their unique bond.

Beautifully written, perfectly paced, an unforgettable statement to those who hold dear their land ownership and devotion to nature and friendships. This is a keeper and a much needed break from the turmoil around us. Well-done, Alice Elliott Dark. You are a gifted writer!
Thank you, NetGalley and Scribner, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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This story failed to capture my attention. It started out slow with lots of character development. I might come back to it one day, but for now it simply wasn’t for me.

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What a brilliant, beautiful, intelligent, insightful, genuine gem of a book! I just finished, closed the cover, and already miss Agnes and Polly terribly!

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I was super excited to start Fellowship Point because it came so highly recommended by readers I trust. I also love a good Maine setting and an older protagonist. The writing was wonderful, but for me, the pacing was a bit too slow. I was not compelled to pick it up, and because it is a longer read, I always felt like I wasn't making much progress.

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I really enjoyed this one, my one complaint is that it could have been a tad but shorter. Having this in both audio and ebook helped me get through it a little quicker (and I can say that it's good in both formats). I love a story of female friendship, especially one that spans a significant period of time, and this ticked both of those boxes for me. The Maine setting was perfect for an end-of-summer read – it felt like I was right there in the mild temps, surrounded by pine trees, with the water in the distance. Pick this up if you like intricately structured stories about the journey of life.

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A unique and special book about friendships that span generations, the environment and the choices we make in life. Don’t let its length keep you from picking this one up!

Well known Children's book author, Agnes Lee is in her 80s and has two goals as she grows older: to finish the final book in her popular series and to preserve a land trust for Fellowship Point, the peninsula on the coast of Maine where she spends summers.. Her best friend, Polly, also a landholder at Fellowship Point, must juggle Agnes’s wishes with her own children's goals for the property.

As the novel develops, the reader is introduced to multiple characters who are expertly written. The time frame jumps from the present to the past to gain further depth and understanding into each character. A five star family drama.

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A book that immerses you in time and place and characters you want to sit and enjoy hot cocoa with while looking out at Maine trees silhouetted against the ocean and sky. Anne Elliott Dark makes the reader appreciate her thoughtful, carefully chosen words, plot development, and absorbing characters.

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This book... I knew it was a long book going in but still it took me a while to read it. I finally finished it after a whole month of actively reading a chapter here, a chapter there. Final verdict: I liked it.

I am a restless reader. I don't necessarily seek out plot driven books. A well paced character driven book will keep me engaged just fine. I considered not finishing the book. The first half felt too slow but once I got the hang off the writing style and warmed up to the characters I was all in. The plot has some surprises that worked very well.

It will not be for every reader maybe but I was so impressed by a few things. The writing is gorgeous. It has a modern classic feel. This was my first Alice Elliot Dark book, I am not a huge literary fiction reader but the writing reminded me of Amor Towles and Ann Patchett's. The character are so well developed. Agnes and Polly and Maud and Robert and Dick... All of them felt like real people with complex personalities and emotions,


This book is essentially about two old women, Each have been through a lot. Dark takes her sweet time with these women and with people who play any major role in their lives, Agnes and Polly's friendship spans eight decades. and What a marvelous friendship! Their lives take different paths. As Polly marries, becomes a mom, lives in her husbands shadow for years, Agnes stays single, writes feminist children's books. Their common denominator is their love for Fellowship Point a nature sanctuary founded by their Quaker ancestors. Agnes is larger than life, strong willed and head strong. Polly is more of a nurturer, and they are still growing despite their old age.

This book is immersive. The descriptions of Fellowship Point is rich. The book delves into so many topics. Mainly friendship, marriage, love, feminism, aging, Quaker values, legacy, love of nature and land preservation, art and literature, wealth and privilege. It is quite thoughtful, full of wisdom and wit.

After finishing this book I found an article about how long it took Dark to write this book. It turns out this book was 20 in the making. it went from being a 1400 pages draft to 800 and then to 590 pages. You can tell she poured her heart and soul to this book.

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Our lives today are filled with quantity, which perhaps explains why readers shun longer books demanding more of our time. Not bothering to check the number of pages (560), I was drawn to "Fellowship Point" because of the older characters. (Also I grew up in Philadelphia vacationing summers in Maine, locations where the book is set.) Before I got very far into the book, I debated whether to continue but I picked it up again. Alice Elliott Dark has changed how I will be selecting books in the future. Quality first.

FIRST SENTENCE: "Such a perfect day for writing, gray and quiet."

THE STORY: Two eighty year old life-long friends decide it's time to make arrangements for the beloved summer land their families have owned for generations on the Maine Coast. Should the land be saved or developed?

Agnes is a famous children's author, who has never married, while her best friend Polly chose marriage and family. How is it that after all these years they end up on opposite sides of the proposed ownership of Fellowship Point?

WHAT I THOUGHT: Scattered with literary illusions and some lovely and not so lovely thoughts about aging, this is an insightful examination of women's lives. Parts of the story are told through journals and letters moving back and forth in time slowly revealing the secrets of the past. There are life lessons to be learned from the complicated, beautifully drawn, layered characters. The author has great insight into these two women, who are still worthy of the lives they've lived and the people they've loved. The writing is gorgeous; the cover is beautiful; and the ending is perfect.

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who still find time to savor elegant novels. The book is a little overlong for today's reader.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "Fellowship Point" by Alice Elliott Dark from NetGalley/Scribner for my honest review.

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Loved the idea of this book. Two older women, their life-long friendship, very different lives and the ties to the land in Maine that binds them together. Enjoyed meeting their family and friends along the way, as the book covers their histories. But I found myself mired down in far too detailed introspections by the main character. Perhaps this just reflects my reading preferences? This was a good story, just overly long. I found myself skimming, something I rarely do. Thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for a preview copy.

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