⋙ Download These Granite Islands A Novel Sarah Stonich 9780316815581 Books

These Granite Islands A Novel Sarah Stonich 9780316815581 Books

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These Granite Islands A Novel Sarah Stonich 9780316815581 Books

I found Sarah Stonich's graphic descriptions of both St. Paul and the resort areas near The Lutetian Divide to be spot on. The biggest thing I took away from this book, is that I count my blessings that none of my dear friends have ever put me in a "compromising position" that I would struggle with. That said, I found the friendship between Isobel and Catherine to be intriguingly thought provoking. I found the author was able to paint me a picture with her words. I wanted to visit the town in which the story took place. I would highly recommend this book, especially while on vacation, near a lake or the ocean.


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These Granite Islands A Novel Sarah Stonich 9780316815581 Books Reviews

These Granite Islands captures poignant reflections of a ninety-nine-year-old woman, Isobel, as she recalls moments in 1936 of her friendship with a mentally ill tourist, Cathryn, caught in an adulterous relationship. The third person narrator concentrates on Isobel but, occasionally, moves to Thomas, Isobel's only survivng child, as he keeps a bedside watch over his dying mother. The theme of entrapment is strong, and the environment of death, past and imminent, produces a heavy shroud over the memories. I appreciate the descriptions of the Minnesota lake region and the originality of outlook but consider the novel too long for relaxed reading.
I picked up this book on impulse, because I like the title and cover shot, and never could put it down after that. This a true gift of a book to anyone who has experienced the decline in health and hospital stay of someone close, particulary an aged parent. It puts their life in perspective and teaches a beautiful lesson. The style Sarah Stonich employees (going back and forth between memories and present moment) held my attention fully. It's a beautiful story about different types of love and how different moments in life are interpreted from a perspective unique to the age of the viewer, and how that perspective changes. It's a very spiritual book. Great summer reading!
I really enjoyed this book. A story of 1930's era set in northern MN.Some historical fiction. It captured friendships, marriage, aging and some back and forth in time. I liked the references to the local scenes and places and cultures. Because I am a huge BWCA fan, it was fun to read a story set in this special place.
It kept me reading till the end.
This writer offers such captivating prose, characters and story that you won’t want the book to end...though she takes you there through an amazing journey. Don’t plan to start reading if you’ve got somewhere to be before you’re finished!
This is a terrific story and a tremendous character study. It really struck me on many levels - first and foremost as the fictional story that it is. It is well written. The characters are very strong and the plot lines are well drawn and compelling.

Yet as one who is fascinated by human nature, I found it an interesting study in how people become who they are and what happens when they make choices, experience consequences, and all the things that come after as they affect and wind their way through other people's lives.

I loved the book. It satisfied for me everything it took on to do. I hated to see it end.
Water serves as a powerful metaphor for isolation, death and conquering personal fears. The searing heat of summer, the frozen fingers of Fate in winter, all form the images of a story lived against Nature's immutable canvas. At the end of a long, often lonely life, Isobel Howard replays each chapter behind failing sensibilities, as her last living child, Thomas, holds his own vigil at her bedside.
The most defining attachments in Isobel's lifetime are her marriage to Victor Howard and a summer friendship in 1936 with Cathryn Malley, who has come to the mining town in Minnesota with her husband, who travels often on business. That this short acquaintance so impresses Isobel's remaining years, says much about the repression of the times, as Isobel vicariously experiences Cathryn's infidelity, drawn to the adventure and unpredictability of Cathryn's inclinations. In reality, Cathryn suffers from a yet undiagnosed mental illness, and remains untreated, as do many whose errant behavior is labeled wildly inappropriate at that time.
Cathryn tumbles into Isobel's world as a funny, generous, helpful surprise while the more stolid Isobel struggles to fill the summer with an enterprise of her own, as Victor and her two young sons camp on a nearby island he purchased for his family's enjoyment. Isobel remains at home with her young daughter, hurt that Victor has failed to comprehend her innate dread of water, although she's never mentioned this fear to him.
When Cathryn becomes emeshed in an affair with Jack, an island man, Isobel is both attracted and repulsed by their unbridled passion, and shamefully implicit; Isobel inevitably conquers her own fear of water, paddling daily in a canoe as she serves as sentry, prepared to alert the lovers should Liam return unexpectedly. Aware that this affair can only end in tragedy, Isobel remains a passive onlooker, unable to precipitate any action, a choice that will haunt her conscience forever. At the end of that fateful summer, Cathryn, Jack and Liam are shrouded in the mystery of disappearance and death, the town humming with supposition and suspicion. Victor returns to comfort his wife, and Isobel carries her questions to the grave without resolution save her own imagination.
It is unclear at what age Isobel is widowed. Since her marriage and children are the foundation of her contentment and the fulfillment of her early years, I found it incongruous that the death of her son Henry was given so little attention, while the passion of a short-time friend consumed so much energy throughout the many years ahead. From the beginning it is clear that Isobel is at the final destination of her long life, tying the loose threads together in her mind; Stonich handles these particular moments with a subtle awareness. While the story line is somewhat frayed, Stonich has written some beautifully descriptive passages, intuiting a softening of memory and the need for a last peaceful compromise with the immanence of death.
In our book club we established that so often an elderly person will have a sharp memory of events in the past. The author has taken us from her
hospital room back to events of her part.. Two woman, quite different personalities, become dear friends. The help each other in ways that work
for them. However, while the one helps cleaning and arranging the shop, the other is asked to help in a way that compromises her values. It is
surprising to follow her thoughts about choices as time goes on.
I found Sarah Stonich's graphic descriptions of both St. Paul and the resort areas near The Lutetian Divide to be spot on. The biggest thing I took away from this book, is that I count my blessings that none of my dear friends have ever put me in a "compromising position" that I would struggle with. That said, I found the friendship between Isobel and Catherine to be intriguingly thought provoking. I found the author was able to paint me a picture with her words. I wanted to visit the town in which the story took place. I would highly recommend this book, especially while on vacation, near a lake or the ocean.