The Weight of Winter

By Cathie Pelletier

Book Overview

Third in a trilogy set in the marvelous fictional town of Mattagash, Maine, by the acclaimed author of The Funeral Makers and Once Upon a Time on the Banks. The New York Times Book Review calls Pelletier's work powerful stuff . . . her sentences are sharp and unique as snowflakes.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067179387X
• ISBN13: 9780671793876
• Release Date: August 1993
• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Welcome to Matagash, Maine

The characters of Matagash, Maine are a colorful lot, dreading the long, oppressive winter ahead. Wonderfully written with humor, yet extremely hard-hitting on the subject of spousal abuse and its effect on children. Mothers: take care of your children, even if you refuse to take care of yourself. This book is the third of a series, but you do not have to read the first two in order to understand and enjoy this one. This is a very talented writer. The writing is smooth and the story never drags.

One of the best American novels ever!

I was a bookseller in the audience the night Cathie Pelletier picked up her award in Boston for this book, the New England Book Sellers Award. And never has one been more deserved. This has got to be one of the best novels of American life and progress and folklore ever put in print. What a shame future readers will have to search to find it unless it's put back in print. OPRAH, where are you on this one?

I loved this book!

I won't bother to recap the theme of the novel, since that's been done quite adequately elsewhere, but I will say that this novel is very funny and sad at the same time - I was either laughing or crying with each page. The author brings these characters to life with such love and depth of feeling that I feel like I know them. I bought this book hoping to learn a little more about the state of Maine and its people (I've recently moved here) and I ended up discovering a new author to add to my list of favorites. Don't miss this one!

realism at its best

The Weight of Winter is one of Pelletier's best yet. This book offers a brilliant description of small town America. She has a magical way of painting a story in which she weaves together layers of tales so true to life that you begin to feel for and with each character. Pelletier has a gifted knack for describiing the small town attitude and character of New England. I strongly recommend this to people who like books with heart, character and New England charm