Landslide

A Novel

By: Susan Conley

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

This beautiful portrait of a family in a fishing village in Maine is "a fresh look at marriage, motherhood, and the wondrous inner lives of teenagers. A truly beautiful and unforgettable love story of a family on the brink” (Lily King, author of Writers & Lovers). A must-listen from the critically acclaimed author of Elsey Comes Home.

“I loved Landslide. You are right there with them in a fishing village in Maine, feeling the wind, the sea, the danger. Smart, honest, and funny, this is a story you won't forget.” —Judy Blume, best-selling author of In the Unlikely Event

After a fishing accident leaves her husband hospitalized across the border in Canada, Jill is left to look after her teenage boys—"the wolves"—alone. Nothing comes easy in their remote corner of Maine: money is tight; her son Sam is getting into more trouble by the day; her eldest, Charlie, is preoccupied with a new girlfriend; and Jill begins to suspect her marriage isn't as stable as she once believed. As one disaster gives way to the next, she begins to think that it's not enough to be a caring wife and mother anymore—not enough to show up when needed, to nudge her boys in the right direction, to believe everything will be okay. But how to protect this life she loves, this household, this family?

With remarkable poise and startling beauty, Landslide ushers us into a modern household where, for a family at odds, Instagram posts, sex-positivity talks, and old fishing tales mingle to become a kind of love language. It is a beautiful portrait of a family, as compelling as it is moving, and raises the question of how to remain devoted when the eye of the storm closes in.

©2021 Susan Conley (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A New York Times Editor's Pick • One of the Good Morning America, New York Post, Bustle, Biblio Lifestyle, and The Medium's Most Anticipated Books • A "Must-Read" from O. Magazine, Marie Claire, PopSugar, and Southern Living

“Enveloping and warm . . . [Susan Conley] has a gift for writing tiny, meaningful interactions. Sam asks if they can quietly read next to one another, ‘a sweet leftover from when he was young that he hasn’t let go of.’ Charlie comes in and lies on top of them — a boy’s gesture at physical communion — and they all silently surrender to love. Cold sets in, and the Archers move off their little island for the coming long, dark season, just as Sam drifts out of reach and Jill frets more over her husband’s return than she did his absence. But winter is the season of wolves: They are prepared for hardship . . . Conley isn’t afraid to inject a little hope that [the boys] will find their way back home.” —Hillary Kelly, The New York Times Book Review

“Stunning . . . Conley is masterful in her storytelling. She writes confidently about Jill’s growing lack of confidence in her own parenting skills. She nails the angst and doubt faced by parents of teenagers. Additionally, she assigns Jill the task of narrating on behalf of her wolves, which is no small feat . . . Conley has navigated the fissures of a family in crisis with her usual restraint and humor – all of it set against a backdrop of the state’s rugged coastline. The result is a slice of contemporary Maine life that’s as engaging as it is universal.” —Joan Silverman, Portland Press Herald

“A modern-day mother in Maine has to care for her teenage sons after her husband is hospitalized post-fishing accident. She wrestles with how to support her family in more ways than one in this gorgeous read." —Zibby Owens, Good Morning America

Wow. An incredible novel.

Wow. This is a book about a family in crisis. This is a quiet book. I normally don’t like quiet books, but this one worked for me on so many levels.

Throughout the novel, we are in the head of the mother. “Being a mother is nothing like I thought it would be. It’s harder. Better. Most confusing. Shorter. Longer.”

Jill is the mother of two teenage boys. Her husband is hospitalized in another country after a fishing accident. She is trying to navigate being all alone as a mother two two teens who are struggling with things she is unprepared to handle and doesn’t know how to approach. Some unexpected issues arise in her marriage as well.

I knew Jill. I felt Jill. I felt for Jill. I don’t know if it resonated with me so much because I have two young boys myself and am in middle marriage, but this spoke to me so deeply. I loved it so much. I think I will be thinking about these characters for quite a long time.

The audio was spot on— a perfect execution of this story.

Memorable

Great story about teenage boys perception of life and how they think differently than adults.

Somewhat thought-provoking; enjoyable "scenery"

I appreciated some relatable conversations and first person narration about mid-life, marriage, & parenting teens. I also enjoyed being transported to the coast of Maine. I found the story lacking - like this was a long short story.

Wish the story was longer!

Loved the story and listened on Audible. The narrator was fantastic. So enjoyed everything
!so may have of it rings true.

Emotionally welldone

As a mother of 3 sons and 5 grandsons I found some Id with Jill and the teenage years— very different than mine, but very believable. Great picture of Maine and island living and responsibility. Loved the portraying of relationships.

Emotional journey

This was unbelievably raw and honest and very relatable as a parent of teenagers. Great storytelling.

Almost needs a trigger warning for parents of teenagers!

This book felt so true to life that I was actually short with my teenage son in reaction to the book! Rebecca Lowman is my favorite reader for all the reasons and she was perfect for this lovely glimpse into a family in what felt like almost mundane turmoil.

Nothing happens

I truly am in awe of anyone who writes a book. And I am an awe that a book could be written, and I listened to it for so many hours, that was truly truly about nothing.

Plodding plot

I read several good reviews about this book so I stayed with it hoping for a plot twist or the storyline would imaginatively evolve into something that held my interest better. But ultimately it was a book much like life. Flawed, uninteresting characters, struggling to make their way under changing economic conditions. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable. Nor was there any true villain so it just wasn’t very compelling.