A GARDENER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Margot Anne Kelley; Godine, 2024; 236 pages, $28.95; ISBN 978-1-56792-734-4.

A GARDENER AT THE END OF THE WORLD

As with the Black Death in Europe in 1353, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a profound effect on human history, for as author Margot Anne Kelley says: “The entire inhabited world changed.” And it remains to be seen if it has changed for the better.

Port Clyde author and gardener Kelley’s new book, “A Gardener at the End of the World,” examines 10 months of her life, March-December 2020, as COVID changed her lifestyle and outlook — how she coped with forced isolation, the fear and uncertainty, through the mental and physical therapy of gardening, growing and nurturing vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and flowers. She has also written three other books, including “Foodtopia” in 2022.

This is a thoughtful, perceptive and personal journal-like narrative reflecting Kelley’s concerns, worries, observations, and the many things she learned during those dreadful 10 months. As COVID struck with death, misery and fear, Kelley found comforting sanctuary in her gardens and greenhouse: “I can’t think of a better way to manage the stress and uncertainty and general craziness of this moment.”

As she planned, planted and cared for her gardens she researched subjects she knew little about, such as the direct correlation between seed propagation and disease transmission through human activity like trade, migration and the development of domestic farming. She also researched the fascinating histories of certain vegetables and fruit, such as melons, potatoes, onions, peas, corn, beans and apples.

Learn about the creation of hybrid vegetables; about which vegetable has the best name (“Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter”); about the remarkable and tasty Three Sisters; about the perfect gift from the Papal Garden; and how to make apple cider without a press (ingenious).

THE SEA FLOWER by Ruth Moore; Islandport Press, 2024; 253 pages, $18.95; ISBN 978-1-952143-84-7.

THE SEA FLOWER

Islandport Press of Yarmouth continues with its very smart republication of the novels of beloved Maine author Ruth Moore, with her 10th novel, “The Sea Flower.”

Moore (1903-1989) wrote 14 novels from 1943 to 1979. This novel was first published in 1964, and may just be the best example of her careful blend of humor, suspense, drama and colorful characterization of Maine people and their lives. Moore is a master of character, dialogue and relationship development, letting reader empathy and imagination do the rest. And readers will not be disappointed.

Marney Lessard is an orphan 16-year-old boy drifting aimlessly on a motorcycle with his pet cat. Liz Bigelow, an 11-year-old girl, is also an orphan, adrift on a houseboat in a New England hurricane. Their circumstances collide, and together Marney and Liz end up wrecked on General Remarks Island, Maine, sick and banged up in the smashed houseboat. Arvid Small is a 60-year-old crusty fisherman who lives alone on the island and is quite pleased with his life.

Arvid, a good man with a soft heart, takes a liking to the youngsters and they adore him. A friendship of mutual trust and comfort is created, but state law might interfere, next-of-kin and custody and all that. This could be a problem for the three of them.

Meanwhile, Arvid’s close friend, Freddy, flees to the island to escape the wrath of his angry wife (actually a delightful woman who is smarter and kinder than anyone). Add a low-life family of sneak thieves and troublemakers, and some hilarious exchanges between Arvid, Freddy, the kids and the cat, and Moore has a charmingly endearing story about folks trying to find a safe route to happiness and fulfillment.

Bill Bushnell lives and writes in Harpswell.