Islanders: Real Life on the Maine Islands

by Virginia Thorndike

Virginia Thorndike, Maine's own version of Studs Terkel, traveled to all the Maine coast islands that still maintain a year-round population and persuaded the islanders to talk openly about their lives. The result is a compulsively readable, unvarnished, and appealing portrait, much of it in the islanders? own words. The 15 islands not accessible by bridge that still have year-round populations Isle au Haut, Islesboro, the Cranberry Isles (near Mt. Desert Island), Eagle Island, Long Island (Frenchboro), Long Island (Casco Bay), Matinicus, Monhegan, North Haven, Swans Island, Vinalhaven, Peaks, Chebeague, Great Diamond, and Cliff.

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2005

Reviews

[Charlie Zizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I'm visiting the Maine islands, I'm always wondering about the infrastructure, the social norms, the ferry service, etc. and this books answers a lot of those questions. My only complaint is that there aren't any sources listed, but that can be forgiven since much of the information in the book is just local knowledge shared with the author.

[Suzie Gowie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virginia really captures the life of Mainers and visitors to the Islands off the coast of Maine.

[Nor Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story about the life on a Maine island. Got great insight into a world that I may never know but would love it...hardships and all! That is living life.