This is a grand and sprawling novel which focuses on two women who revel in the comfort of their 80 years of friendship and their roles looking after a beautiful wildlife sanctuary on the coast of Maine.
Known as Fellowship Point, the property serves as the backdrop of the novel, its importance in the women’s lives where they have always lived. But as the end of their lives approach, what will become of the land that is so attractive to developers?
It starts in a gentle, rather slow manner, as befits the characters. Agnes is a successful writer of a children’s series under her own name, and another, more literary series under a pseudonym she has long kept secret. She has lived her life alone and has just been diagnosed with cancer. Her friend Polly has had a different life, wife to retired academic, with sons who worry about her and think she should cede her independence to them.
There is also another story here. A young editor strikes up a friendship with Agnes, keen for her to write a memoir. Maud has always loved Agnes’ children’s books, based on a real-life young girl. These were a guiding light during her own difficult childhood, and a balm now she is a mother herself and responsible for her own unwell mother.
Through memories, letters and clever interactions with the characters, the author teases out the story of what makes a life; the people, the disappointments, the love, and what we tolerate for peace and harmony. And the land is always there, home to ghosts and indigenous memories eternal.
It wasn’t until well past halfway that I finally decided that I really liked this book. It crept up on me but, in the end, I thought it rather marvellous.
Reviewed by Lesley West
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