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ibeforem's review
4.0
Jane's life is falling apart. She is an alcoholic in denial, and her actions have endangered both her marriage and her job. To hide from her troubles, she returns to her childhood home in Maine under the guise of cleaning out the house after her mother's death.
Jane is so deep in denial she might as well be drowning. She thinks she is better than her mother was and her sister is, since they are both alcoholics who make money by buying and selling other people's junk, a profession she just can't see the point of. Because Jane works for a museum, highlighting the lives of accomplished women. After she agrees to a reading from a psychic to help out a friend, Jane gets interested in the history of her family and in the process is hired by the woman who has bought the old house she used to hang out at when she was a teen to research the history of that home. But often when you dig, you find things you didn't mean to look for.
I was a little concerned going into this because I read a few reviews that said the historical tangents were too much, but I really enjoyed them! Honestly, I learned more about the Indigenous people of Maine and the Shakers while reading this book than I did in my entire 13 years of schooling there. There were a lot of women in this book and not a lot of men, and it was nice to not have their voices be centered. Some of the points of view were unexpected, but I appreciated them. Not every woman here is "good", and I often wanted to grab Jane and shake some sense into her, but I enjoyed the journey all the same.
Jane is so deep in denial she might as well be drowning. She thinks she is better than her mother was and her sister is, since they are both alcoholics who make money by buying and selling other people's junk, a profession she just can't see the point of. Because Jane works for a museum, highlighting the lives of accomplished women. After she agrees to a reading from a psychic to help out a friend, Jane gets interested in the history of her family and in the process is hired by the woman who has bought the old house she used to hang out at when she was a teen to research the history of that home. But often when you dig, you find things you didn't mean to look for.
I was a little concerned going into this because I read a few reviews that said the historical tangents were too much, but I really enjoyed them! Honestly, I learned more about the Indigenous people of Maine and the Shakers while reading this book than I did in my entire 13 years of schooling there. There were a lot of women in this book and not a lot of men, and it was nice to not have their voices be centered. Some of the points of view were unexpected, but I appreciated them. Not every woman here is "good", and I often wanted to grab Jane and shake some sense into her, but I enjoyed the journey all the same.
bmyurs's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Overall I think this book was trying to do too much- the storyline was fine; Jane spends the summer uncovering the past history of a house from her hometown and in the process uncovers some hidden history about her own family's origins on the island. The author though tried to pull in all sorts of other topics ( environmental impact of colonization, Native American and white relations, the spiritualist movement) that just felt forced within the overall plot. She tried tying them into Jane's storyline, but there were times when it felt like I was reading a Wikipedia article on the topic instead; for me it just bogged the story line down. If you can breeze past those points, and enjoy a slow burn of a plot with no real bag or twist at the end, then this might be the book for you.
Overall I think this book was trying to do too much- the storyline was fine; Jane spends the summer uncovering the past history of a house from her hometown and in the process uncovers some hidden history about her own family's origins on the island. The author though tried to pull in all sorts of other topics ( environmental impact of colonization, Native American and white relations, the spiritualist movement) that just felt forced within the overall plot. She tried tying them into Jane's storyline, but there were times when it felt like I was reading a Wikipedia article on the topic instead; for me it just bogged the story line down. If you can breeze past those points, and enjoy a slow burn of a plot with no real bag or twist at the end, then this might be the book for you.
andrearbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have loved each of this author's books for the emotional journey they take me on. Yes, it's a ride, but the way she writes her character's stories with such depth and authenticity pulls me in and doesn't let me go until that very last sentence. This book was hauntingly beautiful, and my words can't truly explain how captivated I was. It's a story about women trying to find their way as they navigate with the past and the present. It's about the complexities of relationships and intergenerational connections. I recognize I am not giving traditional details, but y'all, I just need you to know what a wonderful book this is. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this July 2024 release.
daggrmissel's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sullivan's atmospheric historical gothic novel gives life to a purple Victorian house and its inhabitants (and ghosts!) spanning centuries. The home is nestled on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic ocean and a small town in Maine. Themes of 'honoring our predecessors' and questions of, 'who carries history?' are flecked throughout this book in meaningful character actions and conversations, both positively and negatively.
The novel fleshes out and personalizes the lives of many women who have inhabited the land, "where the beautiful cliffs meet the sea", going back to the time of the Abenaki people. I am not always a fan of multiple times lines and multiple points of view, I found it worked brilliantly in this book because the women are tied to the same land and house. I appreciate the historical connections our main POV character in present day, Jane, slowly uncovers throughout the book in her work as a Harvard archivist.
I could have spent more time with a few of the historical characters, and focused less on Jane's contemporary issues, making this book 4.5 stars for me. I had a great reading experience and found myself reaching for my kindle daily.
I recommend this book for fans of New England setting, historical context, lives of women, and a bit of early 20th century spiritualism. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an EARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
The novel fleshes out and personalizes the lives of many women who have inhabited the land, "where the beautiful cliffs meet the sea", going back to the time of the Abenaki people. I am not always a fan of multiple times lines and multiple points of view, I found it worked brilliantly in this book because the women are tied to the same land and house. I appreciate the historical connections our main POV character in present day, Jane, slowly uncovers throughout the book in her work as a Harvard archivist.
I could have spent more time with a few of the historical characters, and focused less on Jane's contemporary issues, making this book 4.5 stars for me. I had a great reading experience and found myself reaching for my kindle daily.
I recommend this book for fans of New England setting, historical context, lives of women, and a bit of early 20th century spiritualism. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an EARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Minor: Child death
megyn_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
J. Courtney Sullivan is an instant pick author for me so I dove into this story not knowing the synopsis. What I thought was going to be story about a haunted house and a singular family delved into the rich history of the home, spiritualism, Maine's Native American population, and female relationships. Living in NH, I was fascinated by the history of Native Americans living in the Northeast. I have also read The In-Betweens and seeing Camp Mira (Etna) in another book made me sequel with delight. While long and meandering at times, this story does neatly come back to the connecting piece of the home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Alcoholism
Moderate: Infertility
mamagriff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very educational historical novel that takes place over hundreds of years in Maine and the interactions and repercussions from the English and Abenaki tribes of the earlier years to renovating/destroying historical homes in current times. Mixed in are family struggles, death, alcoholism, and several others.
How do we acknowledge and correct the mistakes of our earlier ancestors, as I think the term forefathers, is part of the problem.
Thank you J Courtney Sullivan for writing such a content rich and powerful novel that we can all learn from and think about. That you acknowledge that we have unlearning to do is powerful
I have read all of your books and have seen you twice at book clubs, but this book will stay with me the most.
How do we acknowledge and correct the mistakes of our earlier ancestors, as I think the term forefathers, is part of the problem.
Thank you J Courtney Sullivan for writing such a content rich and powerful novel that we can all learn from and think about. That you acknowledge that we have unlearning to do is powerful
I have read all of your books and have seen you twice at book clubs, but this book will stay with me the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Colonisation
Moderate: Slavery, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Cultural appropriation, Death, Violence, and Miscarriage
Minor: Child death, Dementia, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping
mamagriff's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very educational historical novel that takes place over hundreds of years in Maine and the interactions and repercussions from the English and Abenaki tribes of the earlier years to renovating/destroying historical homes in current times. Mixed in are family struggles, death, alcoholism, and several others.
How do we acknowledge and correct the mistakes of our earlier ancestors, as I think the term forefathers, is part of the problem.
Thank you J Courtney Sullivan for writing such a content rich and powerful novel that we can all learn from and think about. That you acknowledge that we have unlearning to do is powerful
I have read all of your books and have seen you twice at book clubs, but this book will stay with me the most.
How do we acknowledge and correct the mistakes of our earlier ancestors, as I think the term forefathers, is part of the problem.
Thank you J Courtney Sullivan for writing such a content rich and powerful novel that we can all learn from and think about. That you acknowledge that we have unlearning to do is powerful
I have read all of your books and have seen you twice at book clubs, but this book will stay with me the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, and Ableism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Slavery, Violence, and Death
Minor: Child death and Dementia
bethreadsandnaps's review
4.0
J. Courtney Sullivan's upcoming novel THE CLIFFS (publishes July 2, 2024) demonstrates the strength among women when faced with generational and situational hardship. After a huge personal mistake when working at the Schlesinger Library, Jane takes a leave from both her professional and personal life and retreats to her family home in Maine to get the house ready to sell after her mother's death. There Jane becomes absorbed in a long-ago mystery with a Victorian mansion she became attached to as a teenager as well as she confronts some more personal metaphorical ghosts in her life.
While Jane is the main character, we see several perspectives through the novel. I enjoyed those perspectives because they all related to the main story in some way and heightened context.
Why I really liked this novel:
* The main character Jane - She's messy, she comes off hypocritical when she's judgmental toward her family yet has similar struggles to them. I like an imperfect main character who becomes more self-reflective and/or grows during the span of the story.
* I learned about New England Indigenous history as well as a bit of Shaker history as well as some local Maine and Boston geography.
* Multiple perspectives, particularly when they are intergenerational, add interesting layers.
What detracted a bit:
* The educational parts about Indigenous culture and Shaker history could be folded in more seamlessly. As they are, they stop the story narrative and get a bit "soap box"-y for several pages. It's obvious the author did a ton of research for this novel, and it felt that she forced her research into the story - sometimes a bit unnaturally. By the third time the author did this, I said to myself, "Oh, here we go again."
* There are a lot of topics explored and genres touched on in this novel. We've got: the supernatural via mediums (comes up early on and seems odd given the main character), Indigenous history, domestic abuse, intergenerational alcoholism, house restoration, and more. Many elements of this novel are historical, both nonfiction and fiction, and then you also have a generational/literary fiction saga, mystery, supernatural/ghost story, and women's/contemporary fiction. Some of this has a Kate Morton vibe, particularly the old house and long-ago mystery, which I really liked. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the different topics/genres as more and more got added.
I really liked this story, but I can easily see that it won't be a hit for every reader because so many topics/themes are included that it can come across as jumbled.
While Jane is the main character, we see several perspectives through the novel. I enjoyed those perspectives because they all related to the main story in some way and heightened context.
Why I really liked this novel:
* The main character Jane - She's messy, she comes off hypocritical when she's judgmental toward her family yet has similar struggles to them. I like an imperfect main character who becomes more self-reflective and/or grows during the span of the story.
* I learned about New England Indigenous history as well as a bit of Shaker history as well as some local Maine and Boston geography.
* Multiple perspectives, particularly when they are intergenerational, add interesting layers.
What detracted a bit:
* The educational parts about Indigenous culture and Shaker history could be folded in more seamlessly. As they are, they stop the story narrative and get a bit "soap box"-y for several pages. It's obvious the author did a ton of research for this novel, and it felt that she forced her research into the story - sometimes a bit unnaturally. By the third time the author did this, I said to myself, "Oh, here we go again."
* There are a lot of topics explored and genres touched on in this novel. We've got: the supernatural via mediums (comes up early on and seems odd given the main character), Indigenous history, domestic abuse, intergenerational alcoholism, house restoration, and more. Many elements of this novel are historical, both nonfiction and fiction, and then you also have a generational/literary fiction saga, mystery, supernatural/ghost story, and women's/contemporary fiction. Some of this has a Kate Morton vibe, particularly the old house and long-ago mystery, which I really liked. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the different topics/genres as more and more got added.
I really liked this story, but I can easily see that it won't be a hit for every reader because so many topics/themes are included that it can come across as jumbled.