The Lobster Chronicles: Life on a Very Small Island Paperback - 2003

In THE LOBSTER CHRONICLES, Linda Greenlaw returns from her years of adventure to Isle au Haut, the island that has been the Greenlaw home for five generations. There are only 70 year-round residents on the island, 10 of whom are Greenlaws. In describing her first year as a lobsterman, the author explores themes of love, family, and the pursuit of a simpler life. In particular, she discusses working with her father, who is her helmsman, and their relationship – what they learn about lobstering and each other. The book contains many vivid, and sometimes hilarious, stories of life on Isle au Haut and the characters who live there.THE LOBSTER CHRONICLES also describes the ongoing battle between Isle au Haut lobstermen and the Stonington lobstermen. This is the war that is referred to in the title, and it is this conflict that provides a narrative arc for the book.The book integrates material on topics ranging from the secret ingredient in Linda’s mother’s lobster casserole recipe to island lore. In addition to these kinds of lighter items, THE LOBSTER CHRONICLES includes a harrowing section on three young island residents killed in a boating accident. As in THE HUNGRY OCEAN, Linda Greenlaw displays Tom Clancy’s genius for describing equipment, Jimmy Breslin’s flair for a yarn, and a wonderfully real voice, sometimes contemplative, often cranky, always all her own.

In terms of status, the lobster has come a long way.