Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The Maytrees And Cape Cod


My fellas


I just finished Annie Dillard's new book, The Maytrees. I'm still trying to stand up. Honestly, I didn't know it took place on Cape Cod when I threw it in my suitcase. So here I sat in disbelief reading this astonishing book set in the place I love most in the world. This is not light reading, but if you choose to read it you'll be as the shoreline swept clean by the ebb tide. You'll see interior vistas as though for the first time.

This review says it all.


The picture of beach roses was taken on the overlook at the Chatham lighthouse. Those two fellows are my son and hubby whose love is my ballast, my safe harbor.

P.S. I feel compelled to warn would-be readers that this book contains some hard stuff, though I acknowledge that perhaps my susceptibility to undertows colors my take. (Did I over-work the ocean/shore imagery here ? :o)

19 comments:

KGMom said...

Oh good--you are settled in, & we will now hear from you in your blog (not just in comments, although those are always welcome).
And it's nice you two men are there!
I just read a review of The Maytrees in the Sunday Times bookreview. So, with that & your recommendation, I will have to get it.
Enjoy summer!

dmmgmfm said...

Your fellows look so content sitting there looking out to sea. Great photos!

I'll have to stop at Barnes and Nobles tomorrow! The book sounds wonderful.

Anvilcloud said...

That's a good recommendation -- from a good place -- or so I hear.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

I'll grab The Maytrees, too.
This is almost becoming a little book club!
What should we read next? (sorry--the library lady in me gets giddy from time to time)

Anonymous said...

Cape Cod, awww, just hearing those two words remind me of my trip their this spring! :)

Ruth said...

Your men are wearing long sleeves, and I can just imagine a cool ocean breeze floating through your beautiful pictures!
Ruth

Patrice said...

Oh, Cathy. I didn't know this book was out. Your description couldn't be a better enticement. I'll stop off at the bookstore on my way home from work. Thank you! And thanks for the beautiful photos. Enjoy your visit.

Bonita said...

Dillard wrote, "He read for facts, she for transport"...how nice, when both happen together in a good book. I liked the review, and I'll put this on my reading list. BTW, what nice gentlemen you've got sitting on that bench. Is it true that one of them studies the stars?

Cathy said...

Yes, Bonita - He's an astronomer with an emphasis on planetary science. His mom was so proud when his research on the moon's sodium tail ended up in Discover Magazine's The Top Science Discoveries of The Year issue in (I think) it was 2000.

http://sirius.bu.edu/moontail/tail.mpg

(This is a neat jpeg showing the sodium tail as the Earth passes through it)

NatureWoman said...

Hi Cathy! Nice to hear from you at Cape Cod - one of my favorite places, too. Thanks for the book recommendation. It sounds excellent.

threecollie said...

Throat catchingly beautiful! Thanks

Pam said...

I'm reading "Running With Scissors" at the moment.

How I miss beach roses!

Larry said...

Glad your enjoying yourself.-I'd like to be sitting and looking out at that scenery-very nice.

Mary said...

Cathy,

I'm so glad you are back and settled in a great place. The photo of your husband and son suggests there's a cool breeze from the ocean? Ahhhh. Comfort...open windows at night? Pleasure at it's best and YOU, lady deserve a wonderful holiday.

Over-work your photos if you care to. Anything you show is exquisite, along with your words.

Enjoy your family, reading, and relaxation. We all need that.

I look forward to hearing more from you.

Anonymous said...

I like Annie Dillard's work but didn't know about this one. I live not too far from the Cape (Boston). Nice tribute to your son and husband, too.

Anonymous said...

I am looking for that book. Annine Dillard is a favorite of mine.
No you did not overdo, and after all the heat we had last week, do I see men in Coats?

Cathy said...

I'm a little reluctant to allow that 'yes' - we were in coats and still a little chilly. The water is somewhere around 64 degrees. Blow some air over that and 'chill' :0)

burning silo said...

I keep hearing that it's been cool in Nova Scotia as well. Meanwhile, we were baking. We could definitely have used a little of the fresh ocean breeze! Looks and sounds like a wonderful place to spend some quality time.

Susan Gets Native said...

Okay, I'm sold on that book. Hopefully I can get it done before my Harry Potter comes in the mail.
:)