Maine Speaks: An Anthology of Maine Literature

The mountains, forests, seashore, wildlife, and people of Maine have been inspiring writers since the 1600's. 1989's "Maine Speaks" is a fascinating anthology of literature about the State of Maine and its unique population. A few of the contributing authors, so to speak, are Samuel De Champlain, a 17th century French explorer, Edna St. Vincent Millay, who grew up in Maine, and Stephen King, a life-long Maine resident and master writer of horror. The content covers a huge spectrum, from poetry and song to short stories to historical narrative and essay. This collection is highly recommended to those who think they know Maine and want to know it better.

What an intriguing selection of Maine writing! Here's one of my oldest friends, Edna St. Vincent Millay's Renascence. I was born in the shadow of Mt. Battie, where a 19-year-old poet wrote the stanzas that my dad and I could - between us - recite our way through. Here's some deliciously eerie speculative fiction by Stephen King (The Reach), and another such piece by Philip Booth (The Day the Tide). Here's Ruth Moore's work excerpted, and that of E.B. White and Elizabeth Coatsworth. The real treasure for me, though, is the work by Maine writers I hadn't encountered before despite a lifetime of reading. The variety and quality of the Maine Literature Project's selections make this anthology both a fine introduction to my native state and its people, and a treat for those of us who've been here always. Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of 2005 EPPIE winner REGS

Maine Speaks is a truly wonderful collection of classic and contemporary fiction, nonfiction and poetry by Maine writers. It is the best book I have read on my favorite of all states.