Closer All the Time by Jim Nichols
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Closer All the Time by Jim Nichols This novel surprised me. Jim Nichols is a very good writer, well recognized for his short stories. But in Closer All the Time, Jim has woven together a group of his short stories and turned them into a compelling new novel. Most of the stories have been published before, but he wrote three new ones to link all of the others. That works, allowing some characters to continue throughout the novel, but I actually read them as short stories, a few at a time. Each stands alone, and all are compelling, interesting, and very insightful. The setting is Baxter, Maine, a community near the coast, the time is shortly after World War Two, and the characters are very recognizable, from Early Blake, the clam digger, to Johnny Lundun, a veteran with serious problems. Consider this, the first paragraph in the chapter titled "Early." "I never had any trouble getting up in the morning, and was usually the first one out on the flats. That's why everyone called me Early instead of Earl, which was my real name. But when I lost my Evangeline I seemed to lose all my ambition, too. I'd lie awake all hours and then morning would come and I'd feel ninety years old." Early's daughter-in-law finally gets him up and moving. "Life goes on Early!" she exclaims. You will identify with some of Jim's characters, feel sorry for others, hope for the best for most of them. Many of them share a sense of alienation. Through his dialogue and descriptions, Jim makes each of them come to life. The stories seemed very real to me, a good sign that the writer is exceptional. And Nichols is all of
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Transcript of Closer All the Time by Jim Nichols
Closer All the Time by Jim Nichols
This novel surprised me. Jim Nichols is a very good writer, well recognized for his short stories. Butin Closer All the Time, Jim has woven together a group of his short stories and turned them into acompelling new novel. Most of the stories have been published before, but he wrote three new onesto link all of the others.
That works, allowing some characters tocontinue throughout the novel, but I actuallyread them as short stories, a few at a time. Eachstands alone, and all are compelling,interesting, and very insightful. The setting isBaxter, Maine, a community near the coast, thetime is shortly after World War Two, and thecharacters are very recognizable, from EarlyBlake, the clam digger, to Johnny Lundun, aveteran with serious problems.
Consider this, the first paragraph in the chaptertitled "Early."
"I never had any trouble getting up in the morning, and was usually the first one out on the flats.That's why everyone called me Early instead of Earl, which was my real name. But when I lost myEvangeline I seemed to lose all my ambition, too. I'd lie awake all hours and then morning wouldcome and I'd feel ninety years old." Early's daughter-in-law finally gets him up and moving. "Lifegoes on Early!" she exclaims.
You will identify with some of Jim's characters, feel sorry for others, hope for the best for most ofthem. Many of them share a sense of alienation. Through his dialogue and descriptions, Jim makeseach of them come to life.
The stories seemed very real to me, a good sign that the writer is exceptional. And Nichols is all of
that. I especially enjoyed the insightful interview with Jim at the end of the book. Here's how heanswered the question: How has living in rural Maine impacted your writing, if it has?
"I like to write about the people I meet or hear about, from their point of view (rather than that of anoutside observer), which definitely has an impact on vocabulary and vernacular. These are the folksI'm interested in, and their voices sing to me. I want to tell their stories the same way they'd tellthem." And he does.
I share something with Jim - a great appreciation for the folks at Islandport Press in Yarmouth, whopublished my book, A Life Lived Outdoors, last year. After thanking everyone on the staff, by name,Jim focused on Genevieve Morgan, his editor (and mine), "whose very first suggestion led to a muchbetter book, and who continuing counsel has been valuable throughout." I agree. Genevieve was ahuge help, and inspiration, to me as I worked to create my first book.
Genevieve is now editing a travel book by my wife Linda and me, about our favorite Maine inns andrestaurants. It'll be published early next year. While you wait for that, read this new novel by JimNichols!
http://georgesmithmaine.com/articles/book-reviews/june/2015/closer-all-time-jim-nichols
