The Finest Kind by Kim Bartlett is a poignant and richly detailed novel set in a small, close-knit fishing village in Maine. It focuses on the lives of the people within the community, particularly the fisherman and their families, as they navigate both personal struggles and the challenges of maintaining their livelihood in a changing world.
The story follows several key characters, including the protagonist, Charlie, a seasoned fisherman, and his family. Charlie's life is dominated by his connection to the sea, as he continues to fish despite the toll it takes on his body and his personal life. His relationship with his daughter, Ruth, forms a central emotional thread in the novel. Ruth, who has grown up surrounded by the hard realities of the fishing world, has complicated feelings about staying in the village. She is torn between her desire for a different life and her loyalty to her family and community.
One of the key events in the book involves a massive storm that hits the town, testing the resolve of the fishermen and their families. During the storm, Charlie’s boat is caught in dangerous waters, and Ruth must decide whether to remain at home and protect their property or risk her life to help him. This moment encapsulates the central theme of the book: the conflict between personal desires and familial duty. Ruth’s decision to go after her father, despite her own reservations, underscores the tight-knit nature of their family and the community's reliance on each other.
In addition to the storm, the book explores the economic pressures facing the fishermen. The fishing industry, once a reliable source of income, is dwindling due to overfishing and government regulations. This creates financial strain on many families, with Charlie’s boat business struggling to make ends meet. The community grapples with how to adapt—whether by modernizing their practices or by finding ways to preserve the traditional ways of fishing.
Throughout the novel, Bartlett delves into the emotional lives of the characters, especially their connections to the land, sea, and each other. For example, Ruth’s mother, Ellie, is shown as a loving but often emotionally distant figure. She maintains a facade of strength but struggles with her own quiet frustrations, particularly around her fears for her husband and daughter’s safety.
The Finest Kind also reflects on the generational divide. Ruth’s relationship with Charlie becomes strained as she pushes against the idea of continuing the family legacy. However, as the narrative unfolds, Ruth slowly comes to understand the depth of her father’s commitment to the sea and to the community, and she begins to realize that her place in the world might be tied more deeply to the village than she had originally thought.
Ultimately, the novel captures the struggle between modernity and tradition, personal ambition and familial duty, and the unbreakable bonds that hold the community together. Bartlett’s evocative descriptions of the Maine coastline, along with the inner turmoil of the characters, paint a vivid picture of a way of life that is slowly fading away but still very much alive in the hearts of the people who live it.