I really enjoyed this story that blended so many elements, from the past and the present and covered cultures like the Shakers, the Native Americans who lived in the northern portion of Maine, and the intertwining of a house and its occupants over the years.

Culture blends with lives affected by their heritage and the land they occupy. For those who love the concept of a haunted house, this book provides mysticism, spiritualism, and history. This made this well researched story quite satisfying.

However, there were a number of side stories that at times did interfere with the main telling. All in all, it was time well spent reading this book.

Thanks go to J. Courtney Sullivan, Knopf, and NetGalley for an early copy of this story due out in July of 2024.

Just not my kind of book. Getting drunk , and making out when married. I’m sure others will like it and enjoy ,,, we just all have different preferences
Sorry.

J. Courtney Sullivan has written a novel about a fictional character, Jane Flanagan, who has destroyed her marriage and seeks refuge in her hometown in Maine. She discovers a story rife with betrayals, past lives, shattering loss and historical colonialism.
The prologue is a summary that reads like a biography encapsulation of Jane, written in third person omniscient, a foreshadowing of learning more about this character throughout the novel than is necessary.
The author tells the story rather than shows us what happens. For example, “Once, at an AA meeting, Jane met a woman in her eighties who had known her grandma.” What is so remarkable about that? But a section describing her encounter with the older woman making some connection between Jane and her grandma, perhaps some shared physical features, would have brought the connection home.
The author writes, “If trauma could be passed down from the cells of one body to another, Jane wondered, was it so much further a leap to imagine that trauma might infect the land on which it happened? Was that a form of haunting all its own?” They say that the soil in Kurukshetra still is a dark red from the Mahabharata battle fought five thousand years ago in India. Why are Jane’s thoughts such a leap?
The author methodically supplies more lurid details than is needed to describe a tale of redemption while missing the heroism behind some revered Americans’ actions to illustrate their faults.
If Jane can be a flawed hero, why can’t those people who went before her be too?
Thank you to Alfred A. Knopf Publishers and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The overall theme of the book tying the land and dwelling at a certain location to women who lived there or had a special connection, to it was very interesting. The ending tied everything together but I found it confusing and distracting at times to the story, the long descriptions and history of the area’s indigenous people as well as the Shakers who settled in that area. Each of these could be the basis for entire stories on their own as they are fascinating and much overlooked historical aspects of this country. But it was hard to follow the basic storyline surrounding the land/house on the cliff. The main character throughout was not very likable, even understanding that her alcoholism was a disease. Her ending in the story was hopeful and positive but it was hard to sympathize with her throughout. I did enjoy the book but felt the various characters’ stories could have been blended together more smoothly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. Sadly, this book wasn’t for me. Jane Flanagan grew up in Maine where she discovers a charming, but abandoned Victorian home. It sits right on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and it becomes Jane’s refuge. Jane leaves her unhappy home, and she ends up working at Harvard. Something disastrous happens, derailing her career and marriage. Jane returns to Maine to lick her wounds and clean out her deceased mother’s home. While there, she finds the Victorian home has been transformed. Jane also discovers lots of secrets about her town and her family. I wanted to love this novel, but it quickly delves into politics. The tone is quite lecturing at times, and the author rambled on too much. Not for me, so thumbs down

‘The Cliffs’, by J. Courtney Sullivan is my second book by this author. The story takes place in a coastal town in southern Maine, and is quite enjoyable. The timeline expands hundreds of years and it is obvious Ms. Sullivan has done extensive research to write this book.

THE CLIFFS by J. Courtney Sullivan is an ambitious mixture of a novel: part multi-family, interwoven story, extending several centuries, from the first settlements in Maine until the current day; part historical research in life during that period, with special focus on women’s lives; and part a serious agenda to reexamine historical events in the light of more equitable criteria and most importantly, to make amends for the past. If this sounds “woke,” it is.

Jane, ex-Harvard library archivist, has returned to a family home in Maine, because her life has fallen apart. With the recent death of her mother, she is on the brink of losing her husband and career, due to a serious drinking problem. As Jane works through how, and even if, she wants to put her life back together, she becomes interested again in a mysterious house on the cliff, to which she’s been drawn since her younger years.

In addition to the idea that the beginning of American history is Indigenous history, she must grapple with the parallel idea, that her own life begins in her ancestral heritage, with all its unresolved drama. The words of her first encounter with higher ed haunt and inspire her: “Most Lives Will Be Lost to Time.” In both her personal and professional lives, she works on uncovering the truth of as many lives as she can.

Told through multiple characters’ point of view, the book touches on Indigenous history, the early Maine fishing trade, spiritualism, Shaker history, contemporary mediumship and AA. This book will not appeal to readers interested in a straightforward narrative, but I enjoyed its many tangents.

With thanks to Alfred A. Knopf Publishers and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to The Cliffs, but I am sad to say I really struggled through this book. I loved the main story about Jane, a historian at Harvard suffering from alcoholism, the loss of her mother, and in danger of losing her husband, friend, and the job of her dreams. Through Jane the reader is introduced to a haunted house, medium, boy who sees a ghost, and an entitled mom. I would have loved for more of the book to focus on this story line.

Unfortunately, the author strays from the main story to teach the reader about the mistreatment of Indians, the Indigenous people, and the Shakers to name a few. It just did not flow for me and seemed very choppy. The chapters were also extremely long.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

In the world of thrillers and viral hits, THE CLIFFS is not that book. It's a slow burner that takes its time to delve into its characters and their history, looking deep into the people associated with one particular home and the nearby area. You will not fly through its pages (though it's compelling) or have any big shocking twists (though there are certainly surprises), but if you keep with the story, you will be rewarded with a complex and rich narrative that spans centuries, connecting our characters in fascinating ways and exploring the complicated facets of how the past influences the present.

There are parts of THE CLIFFS that feel too long, as if a history lesson has lasted into another class period, and it can be hard to warm up to Jane, the main protagonist. The story is told from the point of view of various female characters, jumping around in time, but Jane gets the most screen time. They are all tied together by the house and land, but at times, I found myself wishing for more time with our characters older (in time period, not age) than Jane or other modern narratives. Jane's treatment of those around her--even with her alcoholism--was tough to stomach. A female-centric story that still focused so much on Jane pining for her estranged husband was difficult, as well.

There are so many interconnected stories here and the exploration of indigenous people and history is excellent. Sullivan does a great job of exploring motherhood and the idea if one can feel whole without being a mother. The themes of loss and grief run deeply in this story. While I wished there were a few more ghosts in this book (we get one early appearance!) and it felt long at times, it's beautifully written and a wonderful examination of legacies and the passing down of histories and secrets.

I am a big fan of J. Courtney Sullivan and I couldn't put this book down. Like another recent ARC I read, I didn't even mind being up with my toddler for a couple hours overnight because I was able to finish this book. J. Courtney Sullivan is a master of weaving story lines together. You often wonder how these pieces could possibly connect and then...they do! I really enjoyed the profiles of different women within the book too, and how that aligned with Jane's role of curating the lives of women. Overall, I thought it was a beautiful approach to telling untold stories.

All that said, it did feel a bit too robust in topics at times. We had alcoholism, dementia, repatriation, Indian Nation affairs, museum curation, family dynamics, motherhood, Shakers, mediums, rich people behaving badly, and more. While these stories were certainly woven together in the end, it would have been easy to get lost in many of these side plots. As noted above, I am assuming the intent of some of the more substantive histories was to align with Jane's personal interests but it often felt like a bit more of a life history than I necessarily needed to connect the dots. Regardless, this was a 4.5 star read for me.

Smith is one of my favorite novelists and I have enjoyed all of her previous books. This particular one has a wonderful sense of place and Maine is on my list to visit one day because of her amazingly descriptive writing on the state. Maine is probably my favorite of all her work to date. As for The Cliffs, this book is overwhelming! I honestly think there is content, plot and characters galore enough for several books. Sullivan schools us lots on state history and I personally enjoy asides into lessons while other readers may not like to be detoured from the plot. The author’s notes were very interesting to see where the inspiration for various elements and characters came from as well as all of the research materials used. Smith’s skills at developing characters are evident in the protagonist, Jane. There are a ton more voices and storylines but Jane is the link to it all. I felt a bit betrayed after getting close to this tortured soul. We get to follow her entire life from childhood along with her interactions and struggles with her mother and her other relationships. We meet and get familiar with her entire family including a do and a nephew. We experience the death of her mother, her grandmother’s secret past, her best friend and her family, her husband, work colleagues and then all the characters interspersed throughout this story. All of these people felt very real to me. After a deep dive into her struggle with alcohol (the reason she is home) the author seemed to drop her to return to Noami (who, to be honest, I had to think twice to recall. There are a lot of characters!) I do wish I had gotten to experience Jane’s last two years alongside her instead of the summary narrative the author ends with. It sounds like a wonderful ending if more detail had been forthcoming. Otherwise, a great read and I look forward to the next Maybe these characters can be revisited because honestly I did get to care about them and the sense of being dumped at the end is the reason for four stars! Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the preview copy. Much enjoyed.

This book is a rich, complex dive into trauma and relationships and then added the history of the Native Americans of the Maine coast. It weaves the stories of multiple generations of women who have lived over time in a house. Jane the central character binds them all together as the historian trying to piece their histories together in a form of a “ghost story” but it’s more of a historical fiction come to life in trying to figure out the history of the house and honoring the history of who lived there. Through researching the history of the history and its previous inhabitants we learn about Jane’s history and trauma and how everyone is all connected. It is a beautiful story in the end about forgiveness and healing.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Cliffs. The novel flows smoothly. Shortly after starting my reading I felt such an urge to visit Maine. The author does such a good job describing the setting. I enjoyed seeing the main character grow from childhood to adolescents and later adulthood. I studied women's literature in college and felt a connection to the themes in this novel. I loved learning history throughout the book. Maine holds onto so much history in the land and homes, traditions and culture. I feel the author did a great job showing this aspect.

I normally love J. Courtney Sullivan books but I felt like this was trying to be too many different books in one. If it had been split up into three different books I might have enjoyed it better. I think my favorite parts were of Jane. I honestly would have loved a book just on her story. Overall the book was okay I just felt like there was too much going on for me to really enjoy it.

Sometimes life finds us standing over its cliffs revisiting our past while contemplating what's ahead. As a teenager, Jane wanted to leave her family and past behind. Receiving scholarships, she climbed the corporate ladder and found herself working at Harvard. From all appearances, Jane achieved her dreams but inside she can't escape the ghosts of her past.

Her mother's drinking caused a rift between them and Jane's grandmother was her safety net. While vowing not to drink due to her mother's history, Jane finds courage in the bottom of the bottle and her secret struggles becomes corporate news. That indiscretion leaves her treading water and Jane's job, marriage and security in peril. Will she be able to right her boat or has her anchor washed away?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #TheCliffs in exchange for an honest review. I'm at my own crossroads so Jane's struggle between past and present resonated with me. We all make mistakes but how we can handle them makes us martyrs or survivors. Choosing to give up is not the answer and taking the time to acknowledge your mistakes affords moving forward and carving out a new life.

I have read most of Sullivan’s books. While I thought the early books were terrific, the last few didn’t work for me at all. They felt forced. But now, she’s back!. Despite using all the devices that usually annoy me —pages of research on multiple historical, religious, and sociological legacies, multiple points of view, a plethora of issues— I was compelled by all of it.

The main protagonist, Jane Flanagan, had a troubled childhood with a single alcoholic mother, and a sister she doesn’t connect to. But she has seemingly risen above it to become an archivist at the Schlesinger Library at Harvard. Residual behaviors, unacknowledged yet ever present, rear their ugly heads at a time when all should have been well. She engages in behavior that may cost her both her ascending career and marriage.

Jane comes back home to her coastal Maine town. Now, she is back in the cluttered house she grew up. It's a place without good memories that holds anger, regret, and has been fertile ground for self-destruction. She has no idea as to how to move forward if she is able to reclaim her old life.. Her mother, with whom she had a troubled relationship, died months earlier and Jane is now tasked with clearing out the clutter.

An old Victorian house that had been hideaway for Jane when she was a teenager becomes an important character in the book. Her refuge from her mother’s volatility was that old Victorian house, then abandoned, now unrecognizable. It was purchased as a summer home for a Beacon Hill family. Genevieve, the new owner, has completely gutted, modernized it, and taken some actions that drive the plot forward. She is convinced the house is haunted and hires Jane to research its history. What is uncovered through the tales of the people who lived there reveals the violent history of colonial America, lost loves, artistic awakening, death, and loss. The history is filled in by the ghosts of the past, clairvoyants, and found artifacts.

I was mesmerized by both the characters and the history uncovered. This was a well researched book that I felt moved the story along. The only part I felt could have been condensed was the journey through the alcoholic haze. While the rest was fresh, this part was not.

For my mind, this is Sullivan’s deepest, most interesting story to date.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In "The Cliffs" by J. Courtney Sullivan, perched on a cliff by the sea stands a pretty old house, purple with fancy decor. It's full of secrets from a hundred years ago. When Jane finds it as a teen, it's deserted but full of stuff like clothes and toys. Jane loves exploring it to get away from her alcoholic mother. Years later, Jane comes back after messing up at work and in her marriage. But the house is all changed. The new owner, Genevieve, has made it modern and white. She thinks it's haunted. Genevieve asks Jane to find out about the house and the people who lived there. Jane discovers a long story of love, loss, art and history. It's a captivating book about the past, spirits, and how women's lives connect through generations.

This book is a slow burn fiction with deep layers and well-done research, especially about Indigenous history. It's full of drama and tackles many issues like alcoholism and mother-daughter relationships. It's told from different perspectives, which I liked, but some parts felt too spiritual for my taste, despite the narrative heavily exploring spiritualism, Native American history, and colonialism, which I found interesting.

While some aspects of the book felt like lectures, Jane's journey remains compelling. Despite flaws, it's a gripping read with a relatable protagonist. I wish some mysteries were resolved, but overall, it's a great read, especially for fans of Kristin Hannah. It also would be a perfect option for book club discussions. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

4.25/5 stars!

I loved this book, and the characters!!! I learned so much from this book, about indigenous people, the Shakers and the way the American founders, treated anyone not like them!!! All of this information was wrapped in a story that was interesting and compelling. I read this book in two days. First book I have read by this author, it will not be my last.

I was instantly drawn to this book by the description alone but I was not prepared for the journey I would be on once starting!

Having moved into a much older home myself, I’ve recently become more interested in the history of not only our home but also surrounding land and town.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that there is so much history and stories yet to be told all around us. I loved the well thought out and researched history of the book. I also was drawn to all the stories that were woven through out that helped in bringing the full picture together.

I read this book on a gloomy day and really enjoyed the journey through history it brought me on.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of The Cliffs in return for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Knopf for this advanced reader copy of The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan.

This novel tackles a wealth of topics taking place from the 1600s to present day, but they all center around a piece of property nestled on the cliffs in Maine. This location has a rich history as a home to the Indigenous people who were forcibly removed, members of the Union army, a shaker colony, and a seaside tourist spot.

Jane returns to her hometown after a somewhat forced leave of absence from her job as an archivist at Harvard. Rather than tackle her problems head on, Jane continues to run from them by focusing her efforts on learning the history of a home she’s admired and dreamt of since childhood.

Sullivan is a master of character development and swept me into Jane’s world and the multiple historical timelines. There is so much happening in this novel, at times it feels like a mashup of up of multiple books. It takes a lot of concentration to keep the thread, and I would love to see this trimmed down a bit.

I still very much enjoyed the experience and will always appreciate a book with a strong sense of place and the ability to make me laugh and cry.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️