Our Arcadia

by Robin Lippincott

Inspired by their desire to explore the question, "How to Live?" Nora Hartley and Lark Marin buy a house in Truro, on Cape Cod, to create a haven for themselves and their like-minded friends in their quest for a meaningful life. Nora, thirty-three, is a well-educated divorc&eacutee with two young children; Lark, twenty-four, is a disaffected gay man. The story spans from 1928 to 1943 as it follows the colorful cast of characters who make their way into the bohemian True House. Inevitably, the friends' haven is not impermeable, and they are unable to keep harsh, sometimes violent, reality at bay. Presented in short, deft, impressionistic chapters, Our Arcadia is an elegant, thoughtful novel about the intersection of life and art and the importance of friendships from the critically acclaimed author of Mr. Dalloway.

"A captivating novel, peopled with appealing characters and an intriguing theme: experimenting with an alternative lifestyle." (Orlando Sentinel)

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Robin’s latest book is BLUE TERRITORY: A MEDITATION ON THE LIFE AND ART OF JOAN MITCHELL. His collaboration with Julia Watts, RUFUS + SYD, a novel for young adults, will be published in spring 2016. Robin is also the author of the novels IN THE MEANTIME, OUR ARCADIA, and MR. DALLOWAY, as well as the short story collection, THE ‘I’ REJECTED. Robin’s fiction has received nominations for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Pushcart Prize, the American Library Association Roundtable Award, the Independent Book Award, and the Lambda Literary Award. For ten years he reviewed mostly art and photography books for "The New York Times Book Review." His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in over thirty journals, including "The Paris Review," "Fence," "Bloom," "American Short Fiction," "Memorious," "The Literary Review," "Provincetown Arts," "The Louisville Review," and "The Bloomsbury Review," and his fiction has been anthologized in M2M: NEW LITERARY FICTION, REBEL YELL, and REBEL YELL 2. He has held many fellowships at Yaddo, as well as a fellowship at the MacDowell Colony. Though born and raised in the south, he has lived in the Boston area for many years. He teaches in the low residency MFA Program at Spalding University.

Reviews

[Kergan Edwards-Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Our Arcadia, by Robin Lippincott, several years ago and it has always stuck with me. A Virginia Woolf aficionado, Mr. Lippincott’s first book was the lovely Mr. Dalloway: A Novella, which — as its title suggests — imagines the life of Mr. after the passing of the more well-known Mrs. While I enjoyed Mr. Dalloway, Our Arcadia found a way into my soul, and every so often I pick it up to read again.

In Our Arcadia, Lippincott looks at the lives of 6 people sharing a house on Cape Cod in 1928. The central characters, Lark Marin and Nora Hartley, are seeking the answer to the question “How to Live?”, which is perhaps why it resonates so deeply with me. I’ve often found myself searching for “home” and for “community”, and the longing of the characters feels entirely real to me, following each as they look for their own individual answer to the larger question.

As the book cover suggests, there is something about Our Arcadia which reminds me of a watercolor. While there are some dramatic moments, the story is not told luridly, but by imparting key moments and details, often in muted hues, which ultimately come together to form the larger picture.

If you’re looking for a light and frothy read, this would not be the novel for you, but if you’re interested in something poetic and nuanced, Our Arcadia has much to offer. I highly recommend it.

For this review, as well as others, check out my blog at:
http://kerganedwards-stout.com/our-ar...

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recently culling my TBR books (I admit I'm a serious book addict and have quite a few TBR books; you addicts know what I mean) to make room for newer books. Our Arcadia was on my pile to give away but it spoke to me to keep it (again you addicts know what I mean) and I've learned to listen to books. I'm so glad I did. It's an unusual book with very short varied chapters: some are first person, others third person, some are poems or letters between characters and others are traditional narrative. Nora and Lark, a heterosexual woman and a gay man, meet in a museum, admiring the same painting. Their friendship builds like wildfire and they decide to move from Manhattan and buy a large house in Cape Cod. They invite artists and crafts people to come live with them, in essence creating an artistic commune. The novel begins in 1927 and moves through the Great Depression and WW2. The overriding themes of the novel are friendship, intimacy and love whether those things are delightful or painful, usually both. I love the depth of emotions the story reveals and changes that relationships go through if they last long enough.

[Kiwi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this book. I will certainly revisit a number of times in my life. Day-in-the-life spanning an incredible cast of characters, a great amount of time and many of those life-changing events that could truly occur to anyone. I felt in touch with each of the characters and found it easy to relate with all of them at various points in the story. The character interactions are fantastic. Structurally, the short chapters that range from poetry to letters to stories to thoughts are wonderful. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, quiet book about a group of eccentric people attempting to live "off the grid", or an alternative life style in the 1920s. Over their 15 years in Truro, Cape Cod, they learn that living true to ones values requires great effort and discipline. While I liked all of the principal characters, I felt that those of Nora and Lark were well fleshed out, while Hortense, Davis and Molly never really came alive for me, something I regret, because I feel I would have liked to get to know them better. Lovely book.

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gem! Such a beautifully painted watercolor of friendship, love, re-defining family and home in the circa 1930-40's Boston/Cape Cod/New York. I really recommend it as a feel good read which also challenges norms and strives for utopias. Enjoy!

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a poet and an lover of art I wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did. Written in current day this book reflects a time where a group people all came to live in one household back in the late 20's. The premise is good but to me the writing seemed forced.

[Mcerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, especially apealling for those who appreciate a more experimental structure in novels. Vivid, lyrical, sensory prose.

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story spans 15+ years, told in small snippets, but absolutely nothing is left out. Beautiful imagery abounds.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple protagonists and points of view. Worth a reread.

[Caitlin Batstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh. the writing was cheesy and contrived at times. (example: "how hortense chortled!")

[Sunita]

Thooughtful, easy read