The Lobster Chronicles: Life on a Very Small Island*
by Linda Greenlaw
- What did the author hope to accomplish by writing this novel? Was this strictly a story of a typical season of lobstering as the author mentioned in “The Note From the Author?”
- Do you feel you learned a lot about the lobstering business from reading this book?
- Does the life of lobstering appeal to you?
- How would you describe a typical small-island lobsterman? What personality traits do lobstermen share? Why do they choose this profession?
- What are the pros and cons of living on a small island like Isle au Haut (I-La-HOE).
- Did you like the author’s writing style?
- Did you find this story funny? If so, what parts stand out as humorous? (P. 59 - lighthouse mockery, etc.)
- Linda Greenlaw has a college degree. Why did she decide to fish and then lobster rather than get a “real job” like her parents wished she would do?
- Why do you think her parents said they wished she would get a “real job”? Do you think they really meant it? Did you find it ironic that her dad quit his “real job” and joined her in lobstering?
- On page 207, did Linda waste her education fishing and/or lobstering? Do you agree that whatever path a person takes, “education is always being used?”
- Was Linda a good business person?
- How did you feel about the way Linda handled her gay helper Stern-Fabio? (P. 100)
- Describe Linda’s relationship with her father.
- Were you surprised (on page 106) how strongly Linda felt about removing the mainlanders’ gear from the islanders’ protected area - when the rest of the islands gave up so easily? Why was she so passionate about this compared to how laid back she was when Stern-Fabio stole her truck?
- On page 221, why did the author include the chapter on Dorothea Dodge (“Dotty” - the lady the post office that she didn’t know very well).
- After reading the book, did you believe the author when she said, “As proud as I am to say I’m an islander, nothing makes me prouder than to say, “I’m a fisherman.” And that is not apt to change.”
- Were you surprised when Linda told us that she is building a year-round home, but is undecided about how much of the year she will stay.
*Questions written by Mount Prospect Public Library Staff
Published 2002
