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Stern Men

By: Elizabeth Gilbert
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
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Publisher's Summary

A magical novel about love and rivalry among the lobster pots. 

On two remote islands off the coast of Maine, the local lobstermen have fought savagely for generations over the fishing rights to the ocean waters between them. Young Ruth Thomas is born into this feud, the daughter of one of the greediest lobstermen in Maine. 

Eighteen years old, as smart as a whip and irredeemably unromantic, Ruth returns home from boarding school determined to throw her education overboard and join the 'stern men'. As the feud escalates, she helps work the lobster boats, brushes up on her profanity and eventually falls for a handsome young lobsterman. 

A funny, sparkling novel of unlikely friendships and family ties, Stern Men captures a feisty American spirit through this unforgettable heroine who is destined for greatness despite herself.

©2000 Elizabeth Gilbert (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about Stern Men

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Elizabeth Gilbert Stern Men

Out of all her books this one was the least compelling. I’ll still listen to anything new she publishes, however I felt let down by this story.

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A girls own lobster

Being a big fan of Elizabeth Gilbert’s work I was keen to listen to this book. So all the elements are there in this work that are in previous EG stories, the struggle for this independence, a young woman finding her way, a quiet rebel doing it her way and it all works fine but the approach is just getting predictable in its unpredictableness. It’s time Elizabeth for some new themes.

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Long and drawn out. Terrible narrator

50% of this book was filled with pointless conversations that did nothing for plot or character development. It was a chore to listen to this and the terrible narrator didn’t help. I persevered because I have loved Gilbert’s other work and kept waiting for it to get better. It did pick up towards the end somewhat but overall very disappointing.

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Brilliant story

This story is a true gem. Pity about the narrator with her terrible accents. Still enjoyed it despite the cringe worthy performance.

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slow burner, worth the time

Was worried it would just fizzle, I was attached to the characters, deeply satisfying ending

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