Nectar

By David C. Fickett

Book Overview

From the unforgiving farmland of rural Maine comes a story of love and sacrifice, of family tragedies and obligations, and of the mysterious healing power of bees. David Fickett's Nectar crosses three generations of beekeepers to tell the story of Regina Merritt, a determined woman who is forced at a young age to choose between happiness and survival. Her remarkable life is recounted with the help of the many people affected by that decision: a husband, who fails in every attempt to win her love, and loses everything in the process; a daughter, uncomfortably aware of her mother's weaknesses, who is forced, in her darkest moment, to rely on the empathy of the woman she soughtto hurt; a lover, denied in near-childhood, who never fails to provide protection and hope to the woman who denied him; and a son, left to his own devices by a mother with little love left, who yearns to solve the mysteries of his childhood and of the woman who is both his deepest connection and his worst enemy. Haunting and poignant, Nectar is a novel that will stay with you long after the last page is read.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765301741
• ISBN13: 9780765301741
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Forge Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 1.1" x 5.6"

Customer Reviews

rocky mountain news

Nectar is wrapped in the metaphor of the honey bee, the Queen, and all who wait upon her. The story is comprised of flashbacks as the tragedy of Ginny's life in the early 1900s in the backwoods of Maine is recounted. Ginny is cold, calculating and driven to bring the world around her into submission. Her youngest child, Caleb, returns home to bury his surrogate father and, due to his mother's complicated relationships with three men, tries to determine his own paternity and sort out the truth of his family. Sample of prose: "I ain't one who's big on sentimental stuff. The belongins of those who've passed on are only things that get in the way and surprise you with thoughts about the past. I never had the time to sit around and mope about the dead. After Mama died I packed up most of her things and give them to the church in town. I just couldn't see holdin onto things I'd never use. Like her weddin dress. It was just a plain gray dress with a lace collar that her mama made. I knew I'd never wear it and it was just collectin dust and feedin the moths." Author reminds me of: Jane Hamilton in Map of the World, for its depiction of a rural life that may seem simple on its face, but bubbles under the surface with drama as thick as honey. Best reason to read: A well told story, with all of the elements of love, hate, tragedy, suspense and raw human experience. - Justin Matott

an impressive first novel from beginning to end

What a great read! In no time, I was completely sucked into the story, and Fickett kept my attention to the very end. The characters were vividly sketched with spare detail. The plot was well-paced. A refreshing change from the many novels that spin out fifty pages before the end, or resort to a rushed, trite resolution. This book is fabulous. I can't wait to see what Fickett gives us next.

A Poetic and Unforgettable Read!!!

From the moment you enter this author's world, he weaves you into the tapestry of his characters and doesn't let you go until the very last sentence. The players in this intense story are so strong and vivid, I guarantee they will stay with you long after you finish. Fickett pulls you in with words that are poetic, vibrant and well chosen. An incredibly strong first novel, Nectar is, in my opinion, a classic. I didn't want the book to end . . . wanting to know the characters even more. As bleak as their world is, I found myself not wanting to leave. I can't wait to find out what next this fresh and talented new author has up his sleeve! Definitely a "must-read"!

A story that will remain with you for a long, long time

Reading David Fickett's moving first novel, I immediately felt a kinship with Ginny; not that I ever had to go through all the trials that she did, but that so often she had to reinvent herself in order to survive -- a trait many women can identify with. So often circumstances dicate the direction one's life can and will take, but Ginny takes what life throws at her and finds someway to make it work for her and for those she loves. Invest the time to read this book, you will not be disappointed.

An intense and beautiful story of love and survival

David Fickett's debut novel was hard to put down. His protrayal of Ginny's drive to control her own life and of those around her was riviting. Ginny does whatever it takes to survive in the rural Maine of the mid 20th century, and sometimes it takes a lot. She fiercely loves her children and even though we don't always respect how she loves them, we have to respect her determination. This is a great read and I hope to see more of David Fickett.