Stern Men: A Novel

I enjoyed Stern Men very much! It was light, humorous, edgy. I loved how the family story evolved, and Ruth was a convincing teenager full of age-appropriate angst, disdain and insecurity. Having family on coastal Maine, I loved the lobster logic! The facts begining each chapter brought a serious mood that was lightened up by the community characters. This is a perfect vacation novel.

Just read this book again, for the second time. First time was way before Elizabeth Gilbert became famous with Eat, Pray, Love. This book made me laugh - great story, rich characters. Gilbert is a wonderful story teller. But I feared I might not like it for a second reading. Wrong - pure enjoyment. Try it!

Stern Men was a well-written book. The characters were "real characters". The dialogue was realistic and wonderfully interwoven throughout the book. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it much better if I had not read the back cover.
What started out as an engaging book with several intriguing characters, ended up falling quite flat. While I fault Elizabeth Gilbert for my disappointment, I also must take some share of the blame. I made the mistake of reading the back cover. Thus I had certain expectations of the story line which, as I got closer and closer to the end of the book, seemed less and less likely to to be met. I kept asking myself, "When is all this stuff promised on the book jacket going to happen?" Evidentally the author thought the same thing. When it dawned on her that she was tired of writing this story and had not yet accomplished what she had set out to do, she decided to end the book abruptly and tied up everything in a very neat little 12 page epilogue.

I bought this book because of the comparison to John Irving (whom I love). But when I started reading it, I sensed Alice Hoffman's style. But either way, Elizabeth Gilbert has a distinct and clever voice. I highly recommend this book to anyone who just wants to feel good and be completely satisfied once the book ends. The story is clear and flows remarkably well, given the unusual subject matter. I can't wait to read more from Elizabeth Gilbert. I loved her creative style and character development. Don't miss this one! She'll be back again!

For those who were looking for another Gerald Warner Brace, you will be disappointed in the content but not in the writing style of Ms Gilbert. This could have been a great book.
For those who can identify with the folk who inhabit the costal towns and villages of New England, you will be pleased with the character descriptions provided in the book. The problem is not the idea of the story, nor the writing style. The problem is the emphasis placed on certain characters and activities that in the end did not matter and may have offended those of us who remember the books by G.W. Brace.
I hope Ms Gilbert will try again.

I loved "Eat, Pray, Love" which I read last summer... and I don't really like non-fiction. I happened upon "Stern Men," an early fiction work of Ms. Gilbert--- and I hoped to really identify with the character as she came of age in the 70's and early 80's as I did. I struggled with Ruth being characterized as a "feminist". She was certainly not an activist because she spent most of her time observing others in her torpor, talking about what she might do, but never doing it. I FELT her post-graduation summer doldrums because the story was so tedious until the Wishnell wedding, well through half the book. Maybe it was the author's intent for me to feel Ruth's pain as her summer droned on?

Overall, the characters were quirky and well-developed-- perhaps overly developed for this story-- because they were not tied together well in the rushed Epilogue. (The warm Mrs. Pommeroy was my favorite character, not Ruth, the heroine.) Upon finishing this book I felt unsettled... I may have enjoyed a more condensed version of the storyline with fewer descriptions of blustering, mean-spirited lobstermen and alcoholic wives. And whose skull did Webster find in the mud flats?

It started out well enough, but I lost interest halfway through. I couldn't finish it and took the book to my local used store for credit. Sorry, Ms. Gilbert. I loved Eat, Pray, Love, and I couldn't put it down, but I gave up trying on this story.

Oh...a wonderful book. Great characters, and a slow, meandering and completely engaging storyline. I also really enjoyed the quiet, understanted Maine comedy. As a frequent and lifelong visitor to Maine, I can definitely vouch for the fact that Gilbert has *nailed* the pace and dialogue of the people she portrays. Such good work. Buy it, take it to Maine and enjoy.

this a great story about a strong, witty, inspirational young girl... who is extremly funny! i loved it. I never wanted it to end. Ruth Thomas really grows on you...

this book is fun, addictice and very well written. buy it.