Subject
Seaside resorts -- Fiction Books
Best books
Sarah Orne Jewett
The Country of the Pointed Firs
"The Country of the Pointed Firs" by Sarah Orne Jewett is a novel published in 1896. A Boston writer retreats to the small coastal town of Dunnet, Maine, seeking solitude to finish her book. Boarding with the local herbalist Almira Todd, she becomes drawn into the lives of townspeople—eccentric sea captains, reclusive hermits, and gentle fishermen. Through summer visits and storytelling, she discovers the profound depths hidden beneath the surface of this quiet maritime community, forming bonds that transform her understanding of home and belonging.
Sam Merwin
Climate—disordered
"Climate—disordered" by Carter Sprague is a satirical science fiction story published in the mid-20th century. The narrative centers on a public relations expert, Wiley Cordes, who devises a scheme to manipulate weather patterns to create snowstorms over a rival resort city, Burden Bay. The underlying topic explores themes of competition, ethics, and the lengths to which individuals may go for success in the business world. In the story, Wiley Cordes is hired by the Chamber of Commerce in Wheedonville by the Sea to increase its tourist trade, which has suffered due to a series of unfortunate events impacting the town. Utilizing his expertise in promotion, he decides to artificially induce snow in Burden Bay to divert attention and vacationers to Wheedonville. For a time, his plan succeeds, and the town enjoys a thriving tourist season at the expense of Burden Bay. However, Cordes's success is short-lived; eventually, his tactics backfire when the rival town adopts his weather manipulation idea for themselves, leaving Cordes and Wheedonville out in the cold, both literally and figuratively. The story offers a humorous yet cautionary look at ambition and rivalry in the resort industry.
F. Britten (Frederick Britten) Austin
Into the blue
"Into the Blue" by F. Britten Austin is a dramatic narrative exploring the life of an airplane pilot, written during the early 20th century. The book centers around themes of ambition, love, and the pursuit of exhilaration through flight, as the protagonist embarks on an emotional journey entangled with old friends and unresolved feelings. The story follows Jimmy Esdaile, who is unexpectedly reunited with his old war buddy, Toby Selwyn, at a seaside resort. As they reconnect, the tension between Jimmy and Toby escalates, particularly over their mutual affection for Sylvia, a woman Jimmy once loved. When Toby invites Sylvia for a flight in his seaplane, the situation takes a dire turn as his reckless behavior in the air escalates into a dangerous confrontation. As the narrative unfolds, the story becomes a gripping tale of survival and love, highlighting deep psychological conflicts against the backdrop of breathtaking aerial exploits. Ultimately, Jimmy must confront not only the perils of flying but also the turbulent emotions that have shaped their lives.
Paul Ernst
Mask of Death
"Mask of Death" by Paul Ernst is a work of crime fiction with a supernatural twist, written in the mid-20th century. The book presents a chilling narrative centered around a mysterious criminal who calls himself Doctor Satan, and the horrors he unleashes on unsuspecting victims in the summer resort town of Blue Bay. It captures the essence of classic detective stories mixed with elements of the weird and uncanny. The story begins with the formal opening night of the luxurious Blue Bay resort, where guests are enchanted by the atmosphere. However, the festivities are soon disrupted when Mathew Weems, a wealthy guest, mysteriously becomes paralyzed mid-drink, an incident predicted by a threatening note from Doctor Satan. As investigations unfold, it becomes clear that Weems is just the first victim of a bizarre condition that strikes others later on, freezing them in time. A desperate race ensues as the resort’s officials grapple with the sinister forces at play, while a detective named Ascott Keane works to uncover the truth behind the strange occurrences. Ultimately, the narrative weaves a tension-filled plot of extortion, supernatural abilities, and the quest to stop a formidable enemy before more lives are destroyed.
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