Reviews and Awards

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 Tobias Carroll of the Maine Sunday Telegram reviewed the Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell:

"The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell is a novel of small graces: a late-in-life friendship, a renewed commitment to an artistic vocation, a quiet act of kindness. Like the melodies the title character plays, it carries plenty of emotional weight. Like the river that haunts it, it rarely takes you where you’d expect." See the whole review here: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/07/28/a-musician-returns-and-reconnects-to-her-maine-hometown-after-decades/

The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell was awarded a bronze medalist for literary fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards 2024. https://ippyawards.com/81/medalists

Central Maine Newspaper columnist Bill Bushnell reviewed The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell.  

"This is the debut novel of midcoast Maine author Laurel Dodge, an  imaginative writer whose brilliant combination of plot, characters and  atmosphere display an engaging originality seldom seen in a first novel.  This is a powerful story of remembrance, regret and redemption,  balanced carefully with humor, tragedy, sadness and contentment." See whole review here: https://www.centralmaine.com/2024/04/26/bushnell-on-books-the-buoyant-letters-of-mimsy-bell-and-the-prints-of-siri-beckman/

 “A delightful, insightful book. In her letters to a long-lost love, feisty Mimsy Bell reflects on her life and ours, on the tragedy and beauty that surrounds us. I found myself wishing Mimsy had started writing sooner so my time with her would last longer. The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell is a special creation, a story I will eagerly revisit.” — Gerry Boyle, author of the Jack McMorrow mysteries.

“Like a Maine river, this book has depth and beauty, offering up surprises where you least expect them. You’ll be transported to Menotomy and won’t want to leave" –Robin Merrow MacCready, author of Buried. Winner Edgar Award Best YA 2006  

“It is magical and poetic in some regards but at the same time a raw look into loss and grief on so many levels.” – Dale Potter Clark, author of Escape from Bunker Hill

"You have written such a luminous book. I can't remember a book so grounded in the flowers, the rocks, the being of a place, and yet so alert to human passion and pain. I don't know where you get this 81-year-old wisdom from, but the balance between life and death seems so real. And the river. The river as serial killer, as inexorable, but also beautiful, the evil sorceress in diamonds, pulses through the whole novel. It's breathtaking and shocking." 

–Joshua A. Sanborn, author of Imperial Apocalypse.

“I didn’t expect a first time novel to be this good, but the writing is exquisite and the characters are eccentric and endearing. As a nature lover, I am enamored by the way she weaves the flora and fauna of our beautiful state into the setting and plot. Great little story about life in Maine that captured my heart.” –Paula Bourque, author of Spark!

“As an almost-81-year old who lost the love of her life, "The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell" inspired empathy from the first page to the last. Thank you for writing and sharing such a wonderful book.” 

–Caroline Janover, author of How Many Days Until Tomorrow?

“This novel is a unique and delightful read. In it, Laurel Dodge captures the essence of New England small town life, including generous dollops of humor and true compassion. She delivers on the story's improbable and delightful premise, that octogenarian rock star Mimsy Bell moves back to a little river town in western Maine to settle a score with its dangerous but beautiful river. Highly highly recommended. Book clubs - read this one! It's truly something special and I would give it ten stars!” ­–Kay Hardy Campbell, Author of Caravan of Brides and Sons of Fez

“Everybody should meet Mimsy!” –Elaine A.

“I just finished reading “Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell. Loved it!! Great character development and some spot-on descriptions of New Englanders (like myself). Well done, Laurel!” –Michaele L.

“Wow, what a talented writer. I could hardly put the book down. Captivating, amazingly witty, and what an unbelievable naturalist, and radiating such a deep love for the land.” –Jutta C.

“I loved this book! It’s a terrific read. I enjoyed it very much. The characters were so real to me. Mimsy was like an old friend, a kind and generous friend who had a very complicated life before returning to her hometown. The description of flowers and nature bring the small-town setting into focus and add another layer of beauty.” –Linda K.

 "I'm super impressed with the format, scope, flow, and inclusion of Maine oriented nature. I read 25 pages in a sitting because I wanted it to last and not finish it in a weekend. Any book including positive portrayals of cobbles, pebbles, and rivers deserves a read from the earth science community." ­–Josh P.

"What a great story! Placed based and convincing with the spine of the river running through and characters I really cared about. I loved it!" – G. M.

 "My favorite sign off so far is on page 76, “In league with the trees!”. A beautifully written story, and such scandal! I appreciate the true Maine imagery, an incredible job." –Hailey C.

"The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Belle, by Laurel Dodge has a depth and beauty that draws you in. The novel is an engaging blend of introspection and adventure. Mimsy's interactions with the town's quirky characters, her struggles with her own mortality, and her encounters with the river make for a deeply moving and evocative narrative. Armed with a collection of antique bottles, she writes letters to the lover the river claimed and sets them free in the current and in our hearts. Laurel paints a vivid portrait of a sleepy Maine town, capturing the interplay between its natural beauty and the complexities of human nature. The river, a powerful and enigmatic force, serves as a haunting symbol of Mimsy's past and her search for redemption. The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Belle is a novel that resonates on multiple levels. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, the healing nature of forgiveness, and the transformative journey of self-discovery. Its compelling characters and poignant themes will stay with me. It’s an excellent book. I highly recommend it." –Stacey W.

I loved The Bouyant Letters of Mimsy Bell by Laurel Dodge. It is a wonderful story with beautiful imagery, relatable life lessons and real characters who interact and take care of each other like true friends and good neighbors. Laurel captures the seasons and infuses the scene with natural details that allow the reader to experience a true sense of being there. I especially connected to the wisdom Mimsy had gathered through her life's journey and yet the questions and insecurities she struggled with that were genuine and relatable. The epistolary style was a fun diversion from standard narrative prose. Telling the story in letters added richness as the reader filled in the spaces between letters from their imagination and then discovered new twists in the next letter. There are so many reasons that this book will appeal to a wide range of readers! –Kate C.

"I read The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell in a day - could not put it down. Part of the enjoyment was the setting in my beloved home state of Maine, but also because the author was masterful at weaving Mimsy's past with her present, making it a page turner. As an epistolary novel one feels drawn into Mimsy's story and thoughts in a very personal and heartfelt way. Laurel Dodge is also masterful in the way she sets scenes with her poetic-like descriptions of nature as it rotates with the seasons. There is some mid 20th century history in this book that I could relate to as well, which I also found enjoyable. The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell is worth the read!" –Dale C.

"I read this book after my wife and can see why she enjoyed it so much. The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Belle is great. I love the symbolism of the river and the way Mimsy interacts with the townsfolk. She really captures the way Maine is, which is quite an accomplishment all by itself. Laurel Dodge is a talented writer and I am looking forward to reading more of her stuff as it comes out. Quirky characters, troubled past, and an emotional path to follow, this book has it all. I really enjoyed it, and I think you will, too." –Daniel W.

 “Thank you for the best Christmas present ever. I love epistolary novels, and this one is especially good. I find myself sneaking moments to read, to go back to Mimsy and see what’s happening. And I love her 80-year-old perspective, though I’m not entirely supportive of her decision to marry Aran. It really is beautifully paced and written, and I love the plot.” –Marian F.

When I was young, I would often see in the media women I admired in some way. I liked the way one dressed; I admired the other’s poise; I envied still another’s ability to build something. They were all bright, energetic, and involved.

Now that I am in my 80s, it isn’t so easy to spot an active woman my age in the media. And finding one as a main character in literature is almost impossible. I can think only of Miss Marple and Olive Kitteridge – but now there is also Mimsy Bell.

The feisty Mimsy is introduced to us in The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell, the debut novel by Laurel Dodge. Mimsy has returned to her childhood home in small town Maine, and we meet her sending a letter to the love of her life, her teenage boyfriend who drowned sixty years ago. She puts each letter, about what she is doing, the local gossip, her worries and regrets, her memories, into a bottle which she tosses into the river where he was lost. These perceptive letters are the novel.

She had quite a life after she left home in the 60s - flower child, talented fiddle player, wife of a famous rock n’ roll star, touring with the band. Now the husband is dead, there has been a falling out with the band, there are no more drugs except for blood pressure, and she has returned home. Her perceptive thoughts about grief and loss, her determination to live in the present, to build a new life with new friends, her interest in preserving the beauty of the countryside around her – all give a second meaning to the book title’s “buoyant."

I like that literature is starting to acknowledge the importance of the music of the 60s and 70s. Besides this one, I’ve recently read Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood and Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad and The Candy House.

Although Buoyant's main character is an octogenarian, the novel speaks to all ages. Fitting into a new environment, finding purpose in life, making oneself useful, overcoming hardships, all are universal issues.

As a bonus, it is beautiful book – with a lovely translucent orange front page. I didn’t find it in any libraries yet and it isn't on Amazon, but it can be ordered from Littoral Books, Portland, Maine.

If you would like to read more of my reviews, check out my blog, Old Ladies Read and More, at www.oldladiesread.com