The Lobster Chronicles

Life on a Very Small Island

By: Linda Greenlaw

Narrated by: Linda Greenlaw

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

After 17 years at sea, Linda Greenlaw figured it was time to take a break from her career as a swordboat captain. She felt she needed to return to Isle au Haut - a tiny island seven miles from the Maine coast with a population of 70 year-round residents, 30 of whom were her relatives. She would pursue a simpler life; move back in with her parents and get to know them again; become a professional lobsterman; and find a guy, build a house, have kids, and settle down.

But all doesn't go as planned. The lobsters resolutely refuse to crawl out from under their rocks and into the traps she and her stern man (AKA, her father) have painstakingly set. Her fellow Islanders, an extraordinary collection of characters, draw her into their bizarre Island intrigues. Guys prove even more elusive than lobsters. And as mainlanders increasingly fish waters that are supposed to be reserved for Islanders, she realizes the that the Island might be heading for a "gear war," a series of attacks that had in the past escalated from sabotage of equipment to extreme violence.

Then, just when she thinks things couldn't get much worse, something happens that forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about life, luck, and lobsters.

©2004 Linda Greenlaw (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Was this narration sped up?

Any additional comments?

Linda Greenlaw is an interesting person and a great writer with a dry sense of humor. I loved that she was narrating her own book. I got the feeling that this narration was sped up, for whatever reason. I wish that were not done.

Interesting, Enjoyable and Light

This is the second audio book by this author and narrator that I have listened to, and it was as enjoyable as the first. It's a fairly short "listen" and I always feel a little slighted for having to spend one credit on an audio book that is less than 8 hrs (in this case just less than 6); but on the flip side, having listened to many audio books that are much longer, it's really nice to find a story that is immediately engaging and well narrated. Granted, it is about her life (or a brief period thereof) as a lobster fisherman - and anecdotes of her life on a small island in Maine; if that doesn't sound like it will appeal to you, then this audio book probably won't. But I thought it was entertaining and a relaxing intermission (albeit brief) between stories that are often a fair bit little heavier.

Linda is my friend

This is my second book of hers and I feel that we are buddies. I just like hanging out with her! So in that sense I’ll keep returning to her books! She’s so chill and down to earth.

Enjoyed this story!

Loved the cast of characters, those from the author's life and those composites from life. Well done.

Delighted old Vet stationed at Bangor 1964.

I was poor 19 yr old soldier made $68/mo. I couldn't afford a lobster. I knew "downeasterners" were a different breed, as well as lobsterman, crabbers and clammers. French fisherman we had to shower them before drafting into Army. This fun book explained the mystery of lobstering and the fascinating people who bring them to our tables. I think Linda is a doll and she coulda trapped me but I never heard of Aus de Haut Island. A Widower 71 I was recently "trapped" again so never quit trying. Love is found in least likely places.

A new look at a different kind of life

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lobster Chronicles to be better than the print version?

I think they were both as good

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lobster Chronicles?

I lived in Rhode Island for the first 12 years of my life and my Grandmother grew up in Easport ME so it was very touching to me. The complexity of the very small town and the relationships of the towns people were wonderful to read about and it made me want to go to the island to visit

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

I did not realize what the fishing industry had to do to provide us with the wonderful products of their labors

Daydreaming of Lobster Fishing?

Would you recommend The Lobster Chronicles to your friends? Why or why not?

The narrator has a great voice.

Any additional comments?

If you are daydreaming of quitting your job to trap lobster, or even live some place remote, listen to this first.