Sarah Orne Jewett: Maine's Hometown Author

Welcome to the World of Sarah Orne Jewett

As a seacoast New Hampshire native, I adore the novels and short stories of Maine author Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909).  Jewett lived in the town of South Berwick, Maine, not far from the New Hampshire town where I grew up.  Now that I live in Texas, her nostalgic stories and rich characters evoke memories of my own childhood.  As one of the finest writers of the "local color" school, Jewett preserved in her work a dying era of fishing villages and rural communities. Her character-driven stories feature the strong friendships among the women of a community.  As an herbalist, I am especially fond of the character Mrs. Todd, an herbalist in "The Country of the Pointed Firs," and "Four Dunnet Landing Stories."  Jewett demonstrates an understanding of the importance of the local herbalist, as well as an awareness of the typical plants found in an herbalist's garden.

So take a deep breath, make a cup of tea, and "set a spell" with Miss Jewett and her stories.  You'll be refreshed!     

Where is South Berwick?