In these lyrical sketches of the Isles of Shoals, Celia Thaxter turns a cluster of bleak granite outcrops into a place of haunting beauty, where sea, weather, and light continually remake the world. She guides readers through the islands' geography, names, reefs, tides, lighthouse, fishing grounds, and uncertain border between Maine and New Hampshire, while showing how their remoteness offers a strange freedom from worldly burdens. The shore is harsh yet mesmerizing: pebbled coves, kelp, w...

Among the Isles of Shoals is Celia Thaxter's luminous evocation of the small Atlantic archipelago off the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine, blending memoir, natural description, local history, and maritime folklore. Written in graceful, finely textured prose, the book records the seasonal life of the islands, the labors of fishermen and hotel keepers, and the stark beauty of wind, sea, and stone. It belongs to the nineteenth-century tradition of regional writing, yet its lyric precision a...

In "Some Curious Flyers, Creepers, and Swimmers," readers are treated to a masterfully curated collection exploring the natural world through poetic and prose lenses. The anthology gathers a tapestry of works, each delving into the nuanced behaviors and habitats of avian, terrestrial, and aquatic life. The diversity in literary styles'Äîfrom vivid poetry to narrative sketches'Äîcaptures the intricate details and mysteries surrounding the world's most fascinating creatures. Standout pieces ...

Child Life in Prose is a captivating anthology that delves into the multifaceted perceptions and experiences of childhood as portrayed through prose. This diverse compilation spans a wide range of literary styles, from the vivid imaginations of fairy tales to the heartfelt reflections of personal essays and stories deeply rooted in cultural narratives. Enriched by a tapestry of storytelling techniques, the collection brings to light the universal yet uniquely individual experiences of yout...

This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design. Celia Thaxter's An Island Garden is a lyrical garden journal set among the Isles of Shoals, where loneliness, memory, and devotion to flowers shape every page. Born from repeated requests to explain how her beloved island garden was made, the book begins with a meditation on dust, soil, and seeds, marveling at the hidden miracle that turns ordinary earth into blossoms, fruit, and trees. For Thaxter, gardenin...

On a cold, moonlit night in March 1873, a horrific double murder shattered the peace of Smutty-Nose Island, one of the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. In this haunting true account, Celia Thaxter—a resident of the Shoals and one of the first responders to the tragedy—recounts the chilling events with vivid clarity and emotional depth.Through Thaxter’s eloquent prose, we come to know the victims: kind-hearted Norwegian immigrants whose peaceful, humble lives were sud...