Northeaster

A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952

By: Cathie Pelletier

Narrated by: Morgan Bailey Keaton

For many, the past few years have been defined by climate disaster. Stories about once-in-a-lifetime hurricanes, floods, fires, droughts, and even snowstorms are now commonplace. But dramatic weather events are not new and Northeaster, Cathie Pelletier's breathtaking account of the 1952 snowstorm that blanketed New England, offers a valuable reminder about nature's capacity for destruction as well as insight into the human instinct for preservation.

Northeaster weaves together a rich cast of characters whose lives were uprooted and endangered by the storm. Housewives and lobstermen, loggers and soldiers were all trapped as snow piled in drifts twenty feet high. The storm smothered hundreds of travelers in their cars, covered entire towns, and broke ships in half. In the midst of the blizzard's chaos, there were remarkable acts of heroism and courageous generosities. Doctors braved the storm to help deliver babies. Ordinary people kept their wits while buried in their cars, and others made their way out of forests to find kindhearted strangers willing to take them in.

It's likely that none of us know how we would handle a confrontation with a blizzard or other natural disaster. But Northeaster shows that we have it inside to fight for survival in some of the harshest conditions that nature has to offer.

©2023 Cathie Pelletier (P)2023 Tantor

Excellent and well researched

I started this book and couldn’t put it down. I was immediately drawn into the lives of her subjects and felt that I almost knew them by her descriptions of them and their situations. I’m so glad that I purchased this book.

Tales of ordinary people during a storm

This was a wonderfully detailed narration of the ordinary lives that continued (or sometimes ended) during the great northeaster of 1952. I liked the reader's voice and the snapshots of regular folks experiencing this epic snowstorm. As a cat lover, I enjoyed Snooky's story especially.

Detailed Narrative about one of the worst storms in history

This was such a great book, full of antidotal notes from and about the people who survived and those who perished in this terrible storm, love the narrator.

A poignant excavation

A well written glimpse into the common experience of a community. I liked the way the author unfolded the stories of the characters and their experiences of the storm concurrently.

Fantastic detail and weather anecdotes!

As a geography, weather and radio buff, this book had it all. A truly gripping listen into the lives of several families touched by the 1954 northeaster. A big thank you the author for the meticulous effort to tell these stories.

Great listen

Voice of reader was really good. Story was interesting and very well developed. Even though there were many characters and stories the pace and style made the book a great listen

Wonderful narrative

But human beings will respond to calamity as they have since the first shovel made from an oxen’s shoulder blade began moving snow….
They will trudge through deep snow,lay fresh flowers and whisper prayers for the dead and in a brief matter of time, history will forget them ❤️

Feels like I know the town and the people

I really enjoyed the way this author wrote. The stories seem so engaging and personal. I could hardly put it down!

Not a Mainer

Good story, but the narrator obviously hasn’t been to Acadia National Park because she kept saying Mount DEsert instead of Mount DeSERT Island.

Good old fashioned human drama

The author brings us back to a simpler time . The story is compelling . A relatively commonplace storm tests the resilience of everyday folk. 1950s Maine and New England comes alive.