Away Happens (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: line attendant, Phil Crossman, Main Street, Swap Shop (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Add name Crossman to favorite essayists"--Maine Sunday Telegram

"Crossman . . . is a skilled human observer from his Tidewater Motel on Vinalhaven . . . Away Happens is worth the price, no matter what it is."--Bangor Daily News

"Phil Crossman writes about aspects of island life that most of us only gossip about."--David Platt, Working Waterfront

"This book is a hoot! If you've ever wondered what goes on in the minds of the Maine locals where you vacation, this book will break it to you gently, humorously, and in a way that will make you long to return next summer more fondly than ever." --Bloomsbury Review

Product Description

A unique glimpse of real life on an island off the coast of Maine.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: UPNE (March 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584654457
• ISBN-13: 978-1584654452
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #371,798 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maine at its finest!, May 12, 2005

By	Marilynn (Boston) - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful Yankee counterpart to Minnesota's Lake Wobegone! Life on a small island in the Penobscot Bay has its charms and challenges. Crossman's vignettes are humorous, insightful and poignant. A fun read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Stories, September 8, 2005

By	Brian Battuello (Ossining, NY, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not even qualified to be from "away", as an occasional guest of an official "away" resident of Vinalhaven, Maine. But Phil's stories have added greatly to my appreciation of this special island, its people and institutions. I read his hilarious story about an improbable romance at the island dump shortly after returning from there, carefully recycling, cramming my small $1.50 bag of garbage and checking out the free clothes in the "bus".

Unless you are lucky enough to be invited by a resident, you'll probably spend the night in Phil's tiny but comfortable motel, right in the heart of town and surrounded by the best lobster and crab you'll ever eat.

Because the stories were written for several different outlets, the styles and length vary, and there are a few tiny clunkers, but there are also some brilliant phrases that make it all worthwhile. Commenting on some island septuagenarians that insist on golfing at least once per month year-round, he said that it was remarkable, "considering the latitude of the course and the longitude of the participants."

Great fun. Just don't get too absorbed and miss the last ferry!

5.0 out of 5 stars "Away Happens" Happens when you are away!, October 3, 2009

By	Megan N. Zopf - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I guess I am lucky to have met Phil Crossman in person before reading his book. Living here on Vinalhaven would be my dream come true. It would be nice to live in an area where everyone knew each other and at the same time be able to give each other the space to rejuvenate. This book is a testimony of what life is like for the people that live year round on Vinalhaven. I have been there twice and I am about to go back for the third time.
I told a friend of mine about the Tidewater Motel a few years back. His name was Fred. I met Fred while I was employed for a family physician. That was back in the day when there was time enough to get to know patients on a personal level. I loved the experience I had from going to Vianlhaven and Hurricane Island so much that I wanted to share it with friends and people I came in contact with after. Fred was the kind of person that loved to travel and we had a lot in common.
I got a letter from Fred in 2006. He told me he went to Vinalhaven the year prior. He said "I'm so glad you shared your Hurricane Island experiences and family history with me. Hurricane is a beautiful place. We hit it on a sunny day. Glad you had let me read your book on Hurricane Island history-made our visit so much more meaningful. We stayed in the "Tidewater" on Vinalhaven and got a ride over and back with Bobby Warren, a local lobster fisherman-a very interesting guy. In Camden we bought 2 books-the one on Hurricane Island and also "Away Happen's" by Phil Crossman the Tidewater owner (funny)."
Fred knew his days were numbered before he went to Vinalhaven. He mentioned in this letter that he had cancer. "Not great news but I'm old and have lived a great life". He was a friend that knew how to listen.
To sum my review here, Phil's book is about ordinary people that care about each other. It's about taking notice to your neighbor. It's about uncomplicated life. It's how people should live. It's about enjoying life without modern technology. It makes you laugh.It's about Island life!
Megan Zopf