Every village along the coast of Maine has its strong characters and its weak, just as each village has its white houses, green spruces, and glistening blue bay. And each village has its feuds and its love stories–some hidden, some open for all to see.
Swan’s Harbor seemed to have more than its share of strong-minded people bent on getting their own way. The twin Swan brothers were an example–they hadn’t spoken directly to each other in fourteen years. Steve Swan, a bachelor, was big and virile and gaily self-centered. He had loved Ann for three years, yet he fell in love with young Hilda. But, even more than the two girls, he loved his boat with the exuberance he threw into everything he did, from lobstering to driving his shiny new Cadillac. In contrast, Art Swan was married and mean, tormented by jealousy of Steve. He bullied his family and even sent his only son to work on the Sally & Joe in spite of the boat’s reputation as a killer and in spite of Steve’s violent objections. In everything that happened that summer in Swan’s Harbor, whether it was the fight over enlarging the dock, or the brawl at the Pioneer Ball, or a fire at sea, Steve was always at the center–until something happened that made it seem he would never be at the center of anything again.
Swan’s Harbor is a novel of events in a Maine village during a few weeks of one summer. Written with humor and understanding, it is a satisfying novel of Maine character and integrity.
Author Bio
Eleanor Mayo (1920–1981) was an American novelist, photographer, and public servant active in the mid twentieth century. She was raised in Southwest Harbor, Maine and spent most of her life on Mount Desert Island. She was the life companion of the well-known Maine novelist Ruth Moore. Mayo published five novels during her life and a posthumously issued short story collection. Mayo’s novel Turn Home was made into the 1950 film Tarnished. Mayo was active in local politics holding several elected positions in Tremont, Maine. She was elected the town’s first female selectman and later served many years as the town’s tax assessor.
