I was so excited for this book. But after 2 weeks and 350 pages, I've decided to not continue. I can appreciate the beautiful prose and I love the story about 2 women. But it's just so slow, and I really have no affinity for any of the characters. Maybe I'll return to this book, but for now I need to put it down.

Fellowship Point shares the story of several members of a family. Author Alice Elliot Dark moves between the present day and the past and between various characters as the story is written. This jumping around between characters and time periods creates a slow, plodding timeline at first as there are many details that need to be provided. However, this is a story to stick with as about three-fourths of the way through, a major break through occurs that brings together all of the random details from earlier. The conclusion of the story is quite satisfying.

FELLOWSHIP POINT by Alice Elliott Dark immerses its readers in nature by evoking a beautiful setting in Maine. That is the long time summer retreat for 80 year old Agnes, a writer of children's books and (under a pseudonym) adults novels filled with observations about social class and women's strengths and perceptions. Her best friend, Polly, also summers at Fellowship Point and the two older Quaker ladies devise a plan to set up a land trust, protecting the area as a sanctuary for birds. Polly's self-centered husband (who is beginning to experience signs of dementia) and their sons' families object, of course. Meanwhile, Agnes is coping with inquiries from a young editorial assistant named Maud who is encouraging Agnes to write a memoir. Their correspondence contains exquisite summaries like: "What does it mean to be a writer? ... That I have developed a system of logic that resembles reason while containing my emotions which are by nature unreasonable. That I know I can express myself clearly if and when I need to. Above all, that I have a private space where I can wander and play and dream, where I can be scathing and cruel and reprehensible, where I can love and expose myself completely, without any interference from anyone other than my private projections." Readers will need to be patient and savor the slower pace; this is a novel filled with contemplation and quiet reveals as well as numerous ethical questions (e.g., "She was always loyal – but how to choose between the entities that deserved her allegiance?"). Anyone who loves the woods will be delighted to walk the land with Agnes or Polly. Teeming with commentary on female friendships and on the relationships between mothers and children, FELLOWSHIP POINT received starred reviews from Booklist ("psychologically fluent, funny, and intricately and meaningfully plotted"), Kirkus ("the rare 592-page novel you'll be sorry to finish"), and Publishers Weekly ("a remarkable achievement").

This historical fiction piece is true to its time period, and I don't typically love reading about this time period. That didn't matter with Fellowship Point. The characters are too well drawn by Alice Elliott Dark- I dare you not to care about them.

I really tried to like this book - two friends growing old together in an idyllic setting. What's not to love? Polly and Agnes have a great friendship and their families have been intertwined for many years. I kept waiting for something to happen or a secret to be revealed but it just kept going. Another reviewer said it was too much sad and not enough happy - I totally agree! Life is too short - the summer is too short to read a book that doesn't bring one joy.

Fellowship Point is a special book. It is one that will resonate with those who love long (almost 600 pages), involved and involving stories. The characters are fully fleshed out and I often felt that I wanted to speak with them, to comment on their life choices and, indeed, to be a part of their lives. The sense of place and concern for the environment were also big draws. Readers will find themselves around Philadelphia, in Maine and New York City.

Interestingly and unusually, two of the books most important characters are in their 80s; Agnes and Polly are lifelong friends who followed different paths and trajectories. Agnes never married. She is the successful author of a book series for children that has become iconic. The “Nan Can” titles, written and illustrated by Agnes, have always portrayed girls as capable; now, they are being studied academically. Agnes is not sure that she is interested. Under a pseudonym, Agnes has written a series of adult novels that portray the lives of women who live on Philadelphia’s Main Line. She wants to finish the last in the series but is suffering from writer’s block when the story opens.

In contract to Agnes, Polly has diligently followed the rule book on being a good wife, mother and homemaker. She has abnegated her own needs and wishes (which she may not always even know), to those of her husband and progeny. Polly’s husband is a self-absorbed professor who profoundly lack insight. He wants Polly present whenever he wants her but also feels free to ignore her whenever that suits him.

There is also a young woman, Maud. She is in her 20s, has a three year old, and works in publishing. She hopes to complete a project with Agnes. Her life is also three dimensional in its presentation. Maud has a precocious child and a mother with mental health issues.

Around these central characters are many others whom readers will get to know over a period of years. This novel travels back and forth in both time and viewpoint. Central is the issue of preserving a very special peninsula in Maine. Not all have the same goals for it.

I very highly recommend this engrossing novel. It may just be my best book of the summer.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and Simon and Schuster for this title. All opinions are my own.

Polly and Agnes are lifelong friends both in their 80s, living in a beautiful area in Maine called Friendship Point. They've lived completely different lives - Polly as a wife and mother, Agnes as a never-married author - but they've remained close over the years. When a developer starts making noises about building on the land, the women have tough choices to make. This book was much too long - it could easily have been cut in half and still told the whole story. I skimmed long passages, looking for action or dialogue, which isn't a very pleasant way to read a book. Some of the storylines caught my attention, but it was difficult for me to keep track of what was going on. Thank-you to NetGalley, Ms. Dark, and Scribner for the ARC of this title.

In Fellowship Point Alice Elliott Dark deftly guides the reader through the many years of a long and special relationship between two women. Key to the book is their decision, after their deaths, of what to do with the land they own in Maine. Tragedies, family relationships, greed and trust are among the many issues addressed. Fellowship Point is a long but very worthy read.

Way too long-could have been cut in half an still told the same story - it tells the story of Agnes, an author and her life long friend Polly an although it had some interesting themes it just dragged on.

Fellowship Point is a big summer read about women and their lives, their histories. Agnes, a children's book author, and Polly, a devoted mother and wife both look back on their 80 years of living in Philadelphia and on the Maine coast. The novel is wrapped with stories of their family lives as the women decide what to do with the Maine property upon their deaths. The story contains many distinct personalities that add to the enjoyment of the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark is a whopper of a book at almost 600 pages but is so well-written that you get hooked, and it moves fast. Part literary fiction, part historical fiction, part dysfunctional family, and almost eight decades of ownership of an ecologically extraordinary land developed by early Puritans and Quakers. That sounds like a mouthful of information, but this book is fantastic. Our lead protagonists are best friends and related to historic Quaker families who are the trustees of this unique acreage called Fellowship Point. As you can imagine, these two ladies are formidable, primarily when they work together to save the land from greedy developers. The two sisters, Agnes and Polly, could not be more different. Polly chooses a life of tradition with a husband, kids, and wealth. The other, Agnes, remained single as a prolific writer with great wealth. They both own adjacent homes on the Point but lived in Philly off-season. Like some families, we have greed, envy, love, loss, faith, and purpose with a foundation centered on the Quaker faith. I found this story beautifully written, and the differences between the two ladies make them remarkably fun to know and grow to love. This book was published July 5th, and I believe this may be one of the year's best books. Don’t let the size of this tome scare you. It’s a great story and is especially relevant in our current times. Bravo to Ms. Dark, who has spent many years putting this book together…it was well worth the wait. #family #preservation #landtrust #indians #Puritans #Quakers #faith #loss #love #discord #children #aging
🦅
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, and Scribner Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: July 5, 2022. #fellowshippoint #aliceelliottdark @netgalley #netgalley #scribner
🦅
#bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #bookreader

Far too detailed. Too long. Hard to get my interest and keep it. I'm not ready to recommend to my patrons.

Who have you loved in your life? Agnes and Polly are best friends for decades. They also are part owners of a land trust for Fellowship Point. As the two draw nearer to the end of their lives, they are determined to keep the point from greedy developers. But will the other owners support them? And what about Agnes and her latest novel -- will the words ever come? Polly and her husband Dick are facing some health and neighborhood issues. Life is busy. Maud, one of Agnes's editors is pushing for a memoir. Agnes would prefer to keep her secrets. One of my favorite part of this book was reading the recollections of her life that Agnes had put down in notebooks. This is a book you sip slowly. It is full of beauty in nature and in relationships. The cover speaks volumes.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGally for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. This is my 500th NetGalley Review!

Fellowship Point tells the story of two elderly women, lifelong friends, largely through flashbacks. However, it is 600 pages, and it really feels like that. The first half is pretty boring and honestly not that useful to the story. Many of the characters were unlikable, to the point where I was glad when one of them died. But the ending is very satisfactory?

Fellowship point followed the lives of Agnes, Polly, and Maud. Agnes and Polly owned land in Maine that held many secrets, most unknown to Polly. Maud, an editor, attempted to convince Agnes (a famous author) to write her memoirs. Through this growing friendship between Agnes and Maud, the reader uncovers secrets Agnes would like to die with her once she succumbs to her cancer. Polly, dealing with a slew of family issues, often feuds with Agnes about what should happen to Fellowship point. A large portion of the story is told through letters from the early 1960s that Agnes wrote to her sister. Although the novel was long, most of the story plots were completed and the ending felt resolved. TW: death, miscarriage, 9/11 attacks.

What an absolutely delicious gem of a novel. I l’m glad I didn’t realize the length going into it because I think I would have hesitated to commit to nearly 600 pages. It was absolutely worth it. There are some books that just completely immerse you in their world and you find yourself not wanting to leave. The story of Agnes, Polly, and Maud is rich and layered and full of complexities. It’s not a quick read, and I loved that there were slower bits that really needed my full attention, while also parts of the plot that moved things right along. This is definitely an acquired taste of a writing style, but if it’s what you’re into, you’re in for a treat.

I enjoyed the time span and all the detail. I also enjoyed the slower pace. I love a long book but didn’t realize this was so long when I requested! This is one I would have preferred to savor vs feeling a little rushed to review in time. Great for when you want to hunker down and be fully absorbed.

Agnes Lee, a never-married author, and Polly Wister, a devoted wife and mother, have known each other since birth. They both were born into affluent Philadelphia Quaker families. In the 1870s, Agnes’ great-grandfather purchased 145 acres on the Maine coast and named the area Fellowship Point. He eventually built five houses for his family, his brother’s family, and three friends. There was also a home for the servants. The homes were individually owned, but the majority of the land was owned by an association with very specific rules on membership and dissolution. In the year 2000, a local developer set his sites on the land. Agnes, who is in her 80s, wants nothing more than to protect it from commercial exploitation. Unfortunately, Polly’s oldest son who will inherit her association voting rights, is very friendly with the developer. Polly is torn between her friendship with Agnes and her love for her son. Agnes’ cousin who is the third association voting member is also at odds with the two women after he accuses one of their friends of a crime.

Agnes is well-known for a children’s book series called “When Nan” based on the various adventures of a ten-year-old girl. A young book editor, Maud Silver, tries to convince Agnes to write her memoirs to coincide with an upcoming repackaging of the When Nan series. Unbeknown to anyone, including, Polly, Agnes has been keeping a secret that she had planned on taking to her grave. Maud is a single mother to a daughter named Clemence and is also caring for her mentally ill mother. Over the next two years, Maud’s tenacity convinces Agnes to write the memoir, setting the stage for the author’s secret to be discovered. And through Maud and Agnes’ friendship, another secret is revealed that surprises all of the women.

If I had realized that Fellowship Point is 592 pages long, I probably would not have requested an Advanced Reader copy. I typically find long books to have too much fluff. In this case, I found Polly’s storyline to be mundane at times. I would have made her a minor character and focused on Agnes. That being said, Alice Elliott Dark is a gifted writer. I look forward to reading more of her works.

4-stars. Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy. This book will be published on July 5, 2022.

Fellowship Point is a breathtaking peninsula in Maine that author Agnes lives in. She is embarking on the task of writing her memoirs - which puts her in a position to consider the trajectory of her life. Her friendship with Polly comes front and central in Agnes' life.

Agnes seeks to ensure her point with an endowment - for future generations to love this magical place. However there are big hoops to jump through. A long-time partnership of community members has to be dismantled in order for Agnes to reach her goal. Polly is a member of the partnership so the two women come at this conflict from very different perspectives and lives.

The characters and narrative are well developed. Dark's description of the area will make you want to pack your bags and go.

This is a lovely story

Disappointed. Very slow, too much descriptive text, & not enough dialogue for my taste. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy.