This was an unexpected powerful story. Set in the 1950s and 60s, the story focuses on a family in a coastal town, Burnt Harbor, Maine. Liddie and her husband Henry return go live in Liddie's family home, where Liddie's mother, Margreete, is developing dementia. There, Liddie and Henry raise their three children, while all keeping an eye out for Margreete. The family goes through ups and downs, sometimes at odds with each other, but still functioning as a complicated organic unit. The writing is great -- understated with an occasional flourish. The characters are ordinary and real -- and very relate-able. The sense of time and place is strong -- civil rights, Vietnam war, etc... -- without making this an issues novel. I especially loved the depiction of how the family relates to Margreete -- she is never defined by her dementia. This was a monthly buddy read with Angela and Diane. I went in with no expectations but we all ended up loving this one. It was hard not to get attached to this family and I definitely was not ready for the story to end. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

Margreete’s Harbor is an ok read. It’s about a daughter who moves her family back to Maine to live with her mother who grows more forgetful. The time span is 1950-1960s. The rioting was ok. The characters just didn’t seem too interesting. The plot plodded along and the read was just a little monotonous. Usually a book like this is something I enjoy reading, but I could not get into this book.

Margreete’s Harbor follows a three generation family as they deal with the grandmother’s worsening dementia. After Margreete burns down her kitchen, her daughter Liddie moves her family back to Maine so they can move in with her mother. The book begins in 1955 and follows the family for 13 years. We hear, in alternating chapters, from each member. We spend most of the story in their heads. There’s not a lot of action, in fact even when something does happen, it’s all about how it’s perceived.
This is a book of life - the everyday and the large occurrences, the change of the political landscape, kids growing up, spouses drifting apart and trying to come together. It’s obviously a character driven story. Luckily, I cared for each of the family members. They were all flawed, all trying to find their place in the world. Morse has a way with words, her observations are spot on. “I’m talking about my mother. It’s like watching a picture in a darkroom going backward in a developing tray - every day is blurrier, less contrast, heading toward blank.”
The story was heartwarming. It tackles how a family communicates; or how so often fails to communicate effectively. But as the book progresses, each person grew and became more self aware. And how, no matter who does what, there is love tying them together.
I was so disappointed when the book ended. I wanted to know what would become of them in the coming years. I would definitely read a sequel.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

This wonderful portrayal of a family grappling with aging parents, lost dreams, and a societal challenges capable of dividing a family captivated me. Setting this family drama in the early Vietnam years added a rich layer of topics worthy of every book club out there. This is written so beautifully that I do hope it gets the attention it deserves. Literary fiction is meant to leave you with questions and a deep sense of understanding and this hit the mark. I would even say it could become a massive classic because the characters are so easy to become entirely attached to, especially Margareete herself who was funny and loveable. So many families deal with dementia but this book had me living on both sides of the issue, seeing it from Margareete's point of view and grasping with the memories that will likely fade for all of us. This book immersed me in the sights, sounds, and smells of our grandparents and the memories that stay with you even when others you think are more important do not. Touching. Honest. Moving.

4 Stars
* * * *
An overwhelming at times novel of family and how they have to adjust to major changes over the years. Well done and covers many years.

When Margreete, an elderly woman suffering from dementia, almost burns her house down, her daughter Liddie makes the decision to move her family from Michigan to Burnt Harbor, Maine to care for her ailing mother. What ensues over the next 13 years is a story of a family’s struggle to find a place in this new life Liddie has forged for them. As the household grows and the years go by, the strain of a new place and the life they left behind takes its toll. Liddie’s marriage becomes strained as she cares for her mother, her children and a new music career while her husband Harry grapples to find meaningful work. Bernie, the eldest son, struggles to find his place at a new school, while sisters Eva and Gretchen, endeavor to find their place in a family all going in opposite directions. Thus is the story Eleanor Morse gives her readers in Margreete’s Harbor.

Margreete’s Harbor was well written with complex characters and an unpredictable story-line. Tension in the house was often palpable and as a reader I felt like a witness watching this family unravel. That being said, I have to admit, I struggled to like some of the characters. This was clearly a dysfunctional family and it had nothing to do with caring for the elderly Margrette. Liddie was often distant and self involved, while Harry’s anger and self righteous behavior often left loved ones alone and in a lurch. Bernie was often curt and dismissive with his sister Eva when she needed a kind word and poor Gretchen seemed lost among the emotional roller coaster that was her family.

My favorite character was dear Margreete. Though often confused and disoriented, she added levity to the story with words of wisdom at just the right time. I also liked and sympathized with Eva and Gretchen, two sweet sensitive daughters trying to navigate a world that changed daily.
And then there was Fred, Margreete’s faithful and loyal fur companion, constant and steadfast to the very end.

For those who like dramatic stories of families, or stories of families throughout the years, then Margreete’s Harbor might be for you. It’s a well written novel with well developed characters and an unpredictable story-line. (There is some language at times for those sensitive to that.)

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of Margreete’s Harbor by Eleanor Morse. “The opinions expressed in the review are completely my own.”

Margreete's Harbor is a wonderfully written story set in Maine in the 1960s, an era that was filled with change. The characters are multi-dimensional, full of life, spirit and strong personalities. I found myself feeling deeply about each of them. This is a book that almost made me cry and laugh out loud, and gave me a lot to think about. I loved it I highly recommend this one

I use to not be able to not finish a book I started, I have changed that process. I have realized if I do not approve of the content or it makes me uncomfortable, I quit. I have so many other books to read that will entertain and enlighten. Unfortunately the description of this book does not say anything about gay behavior. I do not know why the author had to take that route. The story was dealing with the lack of memory of Grandma, and how Liddie was trying to work on her marriage. I felt the storyline was going along well, then it took a dive. I can handle foul language much better than I can handle a young man dreaming of kissing his male friend. Done, 3 stars. Received an ARC from St, Martins Press and Net Galley for an unbiased review. Comes in with 3 stars.

An absolutely wonderful book about a multi generational family living t0gether as the matriarch descends further into dementia. It is based in the 1950s and 60s and we see the struggles that befall the young son as he grown in to a man and struggles with his sexual identity, civil rights and finally the Vietnam war and his choice to go to Canada. There is no happy ending tied up in the bow in this story and that is one of the things that makes it so wonderfully believable.

As the novel opens, it’s 1955 in Burnt Harbor, Maine. Margreete is a widow with three grown children (Liddie, Peter and Willard) but she’s living on her own and facing the challenges of growing old.
Margreete’s Harbor is both a small and a large book. It’s small in the sense that the real focus is on Margreete, and Liddie and her family (husband Harry and their three children). Except for a little time in Michigan at the beginning, the book revolves around their lives in a small town in Maine. Other characters and locations float in and out, most very briefly and only appearing once.
It was a large book to me because, among other things, it covers a long and eventful period of time (from 1955-1968), along with glimpses into Margreete, Liddie’s and Harry’s lives at earlier times. The book incorporates many of the pressing issues of the time in a thoughtful and appropriate way... not just throwing them in haphazardly.
I always like to read books set in Maine, but this one was in a time period that I haven’t read about in too many novels. In case you weren’t aware of the time period, you’ll see it right up front as Liddie has to take multiple buses to travel, from Michigan to Maine to visit her mother.
With the limited number of characters, the author takes the opportunity to really fully develop them over a long period of time.
I would have liked to know more about Liddie’s brothers. Otherwise, very much enjoyed the book and appreciate receiving the advanced copy from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5⭐️

A story alternating between 6 narrators and set in 50s-60s about a family moving from OH to ME to take care of a mom (Margreete) with dementia. There’s a lot going on within the family (a rocky marriage, unfaithfulness, attempted sexual abuse, dealing with dementia, sexual orientation discovery, etc.), all set against their feelings about the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement.

To be honest, this was a mixed bag for me. The writing was simple, lovely and at times profound, and the setting imagery was so real I could almost feel the ocean wind on my face. But unfortunately I did not connect well with the characters and actually felt they didn’t connect well with each other. There was a lack of communication that kept them isolated in their own separate worlds. And I felt that lack of communication kept them from helping each other through some trying times.

At almost 400 pages, it was a slow-go for me and dragged in a few places. There was an overall melancholy mood (some downright tear-jerker moments) with a dash of humor occasionally to lighten the story. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, but I chose to view it as a hopeful one (possibly to raise my own spirits).

My thanks to #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for providing me the early ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

Margreete’s Harbor by author Eleanor Morse was a slow read for me. It was my first time reading this author and when I seen the bookcover and read that it took place on a harbor in Maine, I was excited to read it. I’m sad to say that I was somewhat disappointed. It’s a story of family, three generations, the grandmother, her daughter and husband and their 3 children. Margreete is suffering from dementia so the daughter and her family move from Ohio back to Maine so her mother isn’t alone after she nearly burns down the kitchen. It’s a story that takes place during the 1950’s and 60’s and the Vietnam War is one topic that is a part of the story. Many different aspects are mentioned but I won’t go into detail so as not to ruin the story for others. I’m sure other readers will enjoy this, it just wasn’t a story that held my interest. And on top of that I didn’t like the way the author chose to end it. I felt like I was left hanging. I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press for approving my request and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m sorry to say I have rated this at only 3 stars.

This is basically a study of a family as their children are growing up. It was an interesting read. I did feel like some parts were long and drawn out, but understood that it mirrored life, and how people tend to overthink things - myself included. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was a very depressing book. It looked to be beautiful but it wasn't and left me feeling sad. I dnt think it will do well at the shops.

So first off this book was hard, the topic itself wasn’t hard but the story overall was hard for me to get through. It was slow and spanned over years and I struggled to find my groove with it. This is about an American family going through the struggles of an aging relative and the world during the 50s. Not my usual read and I wouldn’t read this again

I was invited by St. Martin’s Press to read the ARC of Margarete's Harbor in exchange for an honest review. This saga by Eleanor Morse, is a commentary on multiple topics ranging from dealing with a feisty parent suffering from dementia to draft dodgers and the protests over the Vietnam War, to one character who questions God, a struggling marriage, a flood caused by greedy developers, a pedophile schoolteacher, and a teenager who begins to recognize he is gay.

Set in 1950s and ‘60s Maine, the author’s lovely prose describes the ocean scenery, the rough turbulent surf, and the local flowers in a way that makes me want to visit the area. Against this beautiful backdrop, the aging Margarete almost burns down her home when she turns on the stove, then goes to take a shower. Her daughter, Liddie, and Liddie’s husband, Harry, decide they must move from Michigan to Maine to care for Margarete.

As a professional cellist, Liddie’s main joy in life is music. For Harry, it’s teaching history. Moving to the remote village of Burnt Harbor (which Margarete calls her own) is difficult both emotionally and career-wise for the two of them. When Harry criticizes the U.S. position on the war, his job is threatened.

It can be risky to deal with too many issues in one book, but Ms. Morse pulls it off beautifully. Margarete's Harbor makes us examine our own beliefs and struggles, but without sounding condescending. It ended a bit more abruptly than I prefer, but I highly recommend this book to lovers of this genre.

What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?
I am happy to say not a lot:
• incorrect verb usage — bringing vs. taking; come vs. go, were vs. was;
• two questions that need question marks instead of periods.

This was an excellent and unique novel. Morse avoids making her subplots neat and tidy, leaving some as open as real life. Occasionally, she crosses over into brilliance but can't quite stay there consistently. This may in part be her choice to give each family member a spotlight for a time instead of allowing any one to be fully revealed. Whether that was the best choice or not will be up to a reader's taste.

Having lived in Maine for several years and born and raised in New England, this book sounded wonderful. Offering a trip down memory lane with a nice family plot. I enjoyed the descriptions of fire flies, jimmies, skunk cabbage, leaf peepers and many other specifically NE terms and culture. Historical info from the sixties also offered a trip down memory lane. But that was where the enjoyment ended.

This was a depressing read with disturbing characters. There was one likable character in the entire book and that was the dog, and his fate didn’t end well. Each family member needed psychiatric intervention, they all seemed mentally unstable and self centered.

The premise of the story began well; a devoted family moves to help an elderly family member struggling with dementia, everyone caring and sacrificing something in the move. Then as you learn about each family member, you quickly learn to dislike ALL of them.

So many five star ratings. I don’t get it, I certainly must have missed something here. I really did want to like this book.

This is a beautiful story of family drama in the 1960’s. I loved and engaged with the characters throughout the plot. This is a story that many can relate to.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I genuinely cared about the people in this book. I felt like they were my friends--especially Margreet and her daughter. I related to the story and the themes. While written about the 1950s, the themes are timeless and the book felt more contemporary at times.