Spoonhandle by Ruth Moore was first published in 1946 and this is one of the books that Peggy brought from the US for me to read. I think that it’s probably quite difficult to find in the UK. Spoonhandle was made into a film called Deep Waters in 1948 and was made on location at Vinalhaven, Maine. I know that I read about this book on a blog but sadly I can’t remember which one, I really should write down the blog somewhere when I decide to actually read a recommended book.
Although the setting is Maine in the US I think that the themes will be recognisable in lots of places, especially those on scenic coastlines. The author dedicated it To Any American Town. Presumably because the so called march of progress always changes a way of life, or maybe I should say wrecks a way of life.
The main island is Big Spoon Island but there’s also Little Spoon Island and The Spoonhandle. Most of the land has been held in the same families for generations, ever since the place was first settled. Like any small communities there are prominent families who tend to rule the roost by way of owning more land or businesses and it’s the older members of the Stilwell family who are in that position. The two older siblings Agnes and Pete have money as they’re god. Pete owns the local store and takes every opportunity to short change his customers. Their two younger brothers Horace and Willie are so disgusted with Agnes and Peter that they have taken themselves off to live together on a small island, it was the only thing given to Willie by his father in his lifetime and Willie was left out of his father’s will. Pete has refused to give Horace what he is due from the will, and Willie and Horace (Hod) are having a very tough life, fishing in a rotting boat and in dire need of new fishing gear. They can barely afford to eat.
The ‘summer people’ have ‘discovered’ the area and one of them is determined to buy Willie’s island as a gift for his wife so they can build a home on it. But Willie is determined not to sell at any price.
Ann has grown up in the area but she’s been living in the city recently where she has been writing with some success, she’s come home to finish her second book. Her father is a bit of a macho man and his word is law within the family. He’s unimpressed with his daughter and really thinks that daughters should just get married, he sees her as a failure as apparently no man is interested in her.
This is the story of a changing way of life with the original landowners being duped out of their land by people richer than them and the locals ending up becoming employees of the incomers, losing their independence and way of life.
That all sounds quite depressing but it’s an enjoyable read with some great characters and lovely writing, and although I’ve never been to Maine, or even the US there are similarities with the Scottish fishing communities. I suppose I should say ex-fishing communities as most of the fishing villages in Fife are now at least 50 % owned by people renting out the properties for holiday lets and young people who have grown up there can’t possible afford the house prices nowadays.
I’ll definitely read more books by Ruth Moore in the future if I get the chance.
