Oslo, Maine: A Novel

The characters are all flawed which makes them interesting and bizarre. The descriptions of the setting and the people are definitely characteristic of Maine. They have that independent and stoic qualities. The story line is a little confusing at times but stick with it!

Fantasy reality at its best. The pregnant moose kicked a boy and, oh, the ramifications. Many odd and interesting human characters. So much tragedy potential, .mostly skirted. I felt tearfully happy at the very end.

Compassionate? Inspiring? Uplifting? Amusing? Are you kidding me? Who writes these ridiculous reviews? I am so annoyed that I finished this book. I kept waiting for the compassionate, inspiring, uplifting part; well, it arrives ONLY in the Epilogue, at the 98%-complete part of the book. By all means read this if you are interested in a moose calf getting its head nearly shot off its body before it gets tossed in the dump; a pill-popping, adulterous mom more interested in her Jimmie Choos than her injured son; a father who runs an illegal animal trapping and butchering operation; a lying, cheating husband who can't be bothered to actually make a living; a fellow who beats up a retarded man, leaving him in a coma; a woman who downplays and denigrates her own brilliant talent so her husband won't feel bad in the comparison; and a poor moose mother who commits suicide in order to join her dead calf. Yeah, be my guest.

In this beautifully written book Marcia Butler explores the lives of three families and their struggle to cope with the vagaries of life. At the heart of the story is a moose, whose humanity and love for her calf can teach us all something about love and compassion.

I really enjoyed reading about all the quirky characters and their relationship to a moose family, as well as to each other in this small, remote town. Seeing parts of the story from the moose’s perspective was very interesting.

Consider me a fan of Marcia Butler’s story telling! I could not put this book down. She paints incredible imagery with her words in every scene, and her deft hand with dialogue creates characters you can truly feel. Who knew you could care so much about a moose?

Just like with her first novel, Pickle’s Progress, I was hooked on Oslo, Maine from the very beginning, starting with the view of things from the moose’s perspective. Marcia Butler is a great storyteller. She paints beautiful complex tableaux with her words.

From the opening pages, I was hooked. Marcia Butler has created characters who are traveling their separate journeys and yet living together in an intimate community. In the meantime, mysteries are revealed that bring understanding and humanity. And animalness. A multifaceted winner.

Wonderful storytelling... realistic characters , beautifully written! Bravo Marcia Butler!!