Alexi Zentner - The Lobster Kings

This is a great book!

I loved how the interrelation with the family's 18th century ancestor is made clear through his paintings (I couldn't help but think of Caspar David Friedrich and John Constable envisioning the descriptions), and very much enjoyed the magical/mythological elements those contain.

This book is more than a family saga of lobster fishers: it's got early family drama, a Montague/Capulet like rivalry over fishing grounds, a touch of romance, and rough ocean scenes that go under your skin. All set in a salty island landscape in Northern America (it's not even clear if Loosewood Island belongs to Canada or the USA), and within the unconditional commitment of a small island community.

I also loved how the connection between the three sisters developed throughout the book. I found the book very well composed and beautifully written and will defintely look into more of Zentners work.

---