Spartina

Spartina is the way fiction was always meant to be written - dense, full of plots and sub-plots, and full of characters whose flaws and general dispositions make them both likeable and detestable at the same time. Dick Pierce, a grouchy and mean fisherman who has been trying to funnel all of his money towards a boat he has been building in his backyard, Spartina. Casey provides a thoroughly detailed and engaging account of what life is like in the fishing communities of Rhode Island. As an aside, this book is the perfect reason why the people who write the summaries or teasers on the back of a book or on the dust jacket should be shot. The person who provided the blurb in this instance makes a storm, which does come at one of the most important junctures of the novel, the central event. What makes Casey's work so wonderful is not the storm scene, where Pierce tries to ensure his boat is not destroyed in the harbor before his insurance policy kicks in, but all of the other little things that go on in the text. Casey is adept at providing the most minimal details necessary to understand the scope of a relationship between two people. I loved the scenes between Dick and his wife and children, as they provided a perfect snapshot of what it's like to be a father who wants to raise his children as best as he can, while at the same time, being as selfish as a person can be in terms of the way he lives his life. The book reminds me of Hemmingway, not just because of the subject matter, but because of the simplicity of the prose. I can honestly say that this is the first National Book Award Winner that I think has warranted the prize and I hope that the next ones I read as solid as this one.

This is a really great story, wonderfully well-written. The character is fully developed, both his good as well as his questionable sides...and he is very real. I think a lot of men his age will find a good character-connection with this story, and the struggles faced by the main character. I did. Casey has a great talent with words and story. This novel deserved it's National Book Award.

It has been quite a while since I've read Spartina but I was compelled to post a short review in light of Spartina's 3.5 star average rating. The "Feminist Alert" review took me aback as I consider Spartina to be as good as contemporary fiction gets. I am a female and found this novel to be beautifully and thoughtfully written in the style of "A Thousand Acres." I will say no more as the other positive reviewers have already captured the worth of this story.

I can't believe that this book received so many negative reviews - it's one of the finest novels I've read in several years. It reminded me of Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent in some ways - also an excellent book.Just because a character isn't someone you'd want to be friends with doesn't mean it's a powerful, moving piece of work. I enjoyed it even more when I slowed down near the end and took the time to appreciate the way the book moves in currents, like its subjects (emotions and the sea). If you're looking for fast-paced and superficial, look elsewhere, but if you like literary fiction that rewards thoughtful reading, this is a masterpiece.