The "wonderful first novel about life, love, and lobster fishing" (USA Today) from the #1 bestselling writer, Elizabeth Gilbert's Stern Men debuted to phenomenal critical attention. Now, Penguin is publishing a new edition of Gilbert's wise and charming novel for the millions of readers who devoured Eat, Pray, Love and remain hungry for more. Off the coast of Maine, Ruth Thomas is born into a feud fought for generations by two groups of local lobstermen over fishing rights for the waters that lie between their respective islands. At eighteen, she has returned from boarding school--smart as a whip, feisty, and irredeemably unromantic--determined to throw over her education and join the men working the lobster boats. Gilbert utterly captures the American spirit through an unforgettable heroine who is destined for greatness--and love--despite herself.
Download and start listening now!
"I love Gilbert's writing. There is something very familiar about her style and she invites you into a story like she's telling it to her best friend. This is a very different setting and central occupation, but she makes it seem that you've been familiar with the lifestyle."
— Chris (4 out of 5 stars)
Howlingly funny.
— San Francisco Chronicle[Stern Men] flashes with welcome brilliance.
— The New York Times" All about New England, lobsters, and wierd accents. And how a decidely hard, unwieldy life was made the most of. Thoroughly entertaining! "
— Deborah, 2/8/2014" Love this book because it's about the lobstering life in Maine. Plus you've got attractive lobstermen, family feuding and forbidden love...excellent! "
— Meredith, 2/8/2014" Totally charmed by this novel. "
— Jenna, 1/27/2014" Ruth Thomas is memorable. Not sure I liked how she was treated by Mr. Ellis though, and her reaction to it. Loved the writing. "
— Shawn, 1/22/2014" A quircky story. Very different from ordinary novels. Another strong woman's story "
— Elly, 1/15/2014" I really did enjoy this book. Some might find it boring but I felt like I grew up with this girl or at least was able to watch her grow up and discover what she was capable of doing and changing the world I would say. Very encouraging and heart warming. "
— Tristin, 1/13/2014" Ultimately interesting---but very painful to slog through. I was disappointed in the shallowness of the characters and the sheer mean-ness of the people on the islands. 95% of the characters are angry and mean. "
— Darcy, 1/12/2014" Maybe it was because of my Maine connections, or maybe because I am a sucker for a good strong woman love story, but I loved this book. It was an excellent beach/vacation read. "
— Kate, 1/10/2014" a great read about interesting people.. "
— Kathryn, 1/10/2014" This was the first book written by the author of Eat,Pray, Love. The heroine is a strong young woman from a complex family in a lobstering community on a fictional Maine island based on the real Vinalhaven in Penobscot Bay. I enjoyed the characters and story. "
— Kim, 12/14/2013" Unlike every other reviewer I thoroughly disliked Eat, Love, Pray and enjoyed this one immensely although it did start out slow "
— Katie, 12/4/2013" hmmm...not quite what i thought it might be based on eat, pray, love - spent a lot of time thinking she was trying to hard, slow to get going then ended sort of abruptly like she was tired of it. "
— Emma, 11/22/2013" The sex scene was not as great as promised. That's pretty much why I read it. And, I loved Eat, Pray, Love , which is basically entirely unlike this book. (Sorry, Debra!) "
— Molly, 11/3/2013" couldn't finish it...too boring "
— Shane, 9/15/2013" HATED THIS BOOK. What a waste of my time. "
— Jaynee, 7/14/2013" I loved it. What a wonderful story and a wonderful book. The ending sealed the deal for me. "
— Michael, 6/14/2013" It took me about halfway through before I got into this book. It turned out to be OK, but I didn't love it. I think I Gilbert's nonfiction better (so far). "
— Christy, 11/10/2012" Really funny but has a really unsatisfying ending. Much prefer this to anything else she's written. "
— Rowena, 11/1/2011" Slow. Detailed, but slow. The epilogue was the most interesting portion of the book. "
— Carin, 7/28/2011" I would basically read anything by her for way with language but this was the weakest one. Lots of background and quick, wrap it up finish. "
— Barb, 4/17/2011" Good summer read. Fairly predictable, but with some twists. "
— Cyndi, 4/10/2011" Finalmente li o famoso romance da autora que de romance tem muito pouco...entre pescadores de lagosta e muito pouco romance leu-se bem mas não fiquei apaixonada! <br/> <br/>Definitivamente o Comer, Orar e Amar é o melhor dela! "
— TaniaM, 3/28/2011" Ruth Thomas is memorable. Not sure I liked how she was treated by Mr. Ellis though, and her reaction to it. Loved the writing. "
— Shawn, 3/11/2011" It isn't a mystery, it isn't a cop drama, it's just a good story about a way of life and the affect on a young girl. I thought it was well written and a good story. I'd recommend it to anyone. "
— Linda, 2/27/2011" This book was okay. I liked more the farther I got into it. It does contain some bad language. I don't think it I would recommend it, but a friend passed it to me. <br/> "
— Nicole, 1/24/2011" Slow. Detailed, but slow. The epilogue was the most interesting portion of the book. "
— Carin, 1/15/2011" Goodreads needs a half star rating system. I give this one a 3.5 for its imaginative lively characters. I also enjoyed the Maine setting and lobster lore. Fun, easy read. "
— Laurie, 12/21/2010Elizabeth Gilbert is an award-winning American writer of both fiction and nonfiction, named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2008. Her books have been New York Times bestsellers, including the #1 New York Times bestseller list for Committed. Her short story collection, Pilgrims, received the Pushcart Prize and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and her novel, Stern Men, was a New York Times Notable Book. Her 2002 book, The Last American Man, was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is best known for her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, which has been published in more than thirty languages and was made into a film.
Allyson Ryan is an Earphones Award–winning voice actress who can be heard in commercials, promos, animation, and audiobooks. She has extensive experience on stage and television. In New York, she acted in and directed more than thirty plays. Her television credits include roles on Eleventh Hour, Law & Order, and One Life to Live. She has also appeared as “Mom” in several television commercials. Advertising Age nominated her for a Bobby Award in the best actress category for her work as the Duracell mom.