A love story intertwined with the personal growth of Joe Madden, who has gone back to where he spent a lot of his childhood and has to fight memories of those times.

David Payne does a lot well in this book. His rich use of language, his insights into love and relationships, his action scenes, and his characterizations of most characters are superb. In addition, he expertly casts several ethical arguments—on abortion, religion, women's lives, tradition, and ethnography—in a way that makes a reader think deeply.

However, I take issue with some aspects of the book. First, I don't think the main character, Joe Madden, is well enough developed. For example, I need to see much stronger evidence of his fear of commitment; after all, he's only 28. Also, I believe that when a person's life is being threatened (in this case by drowning), he does not enjoy epiphanies about issues that have dogged him for decades—he goes into a much more visceral survival mode. (I have interviewed people who have almost died and have learned that the lessons and realizations come later, not during the event.) This overly mental approach in some scenes really diminished the pulse of the book.

Payne is a gifted writer. I would just like to see him reside a bit more in his gut than in his head sometimes.

A good read, Takes place mostly on Little Roanoke Island and covers life in fishing village from the vantage point of a "professor" who studies the folks life there and the eyes of the local Doctor, this story has trauma, love, family angst, politics ...

My first Payne and pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Complex w/o self-conscious effort. Full characters exploring life lessons, the outer banks life and independent spirit, along w the pain and joy accompaniments. One big fault is this male notion re choice. I felt as though the author had an agenda. Never a facile choice and the story made it appear that regardless of the men involved "it'll all work out." Well,,,,

It takes brains and balls — in equal measure — to use prison rape as a metaphore for christianity. On that basis alone this book is worth your time.

It's a bit indulgent in places, but contains some of my favorite paragraphs. Payne is remarkably perceptive in examining our convictions and surrenders, not to mention the preciously thin filament that connects one person to another.

Easily the most substantial and redemptive "beach read" I know of.

i'm always between 3 or 4, unless it's a clear 5. Not surprising, same here. i didn't get really interested until about 1/3 through. I understood Joe seeing both sides of an issue as he was an anthropologist and he is there to study not change a culture, but not on his personal life. That was a little frail. As danger and death became more imminent he began to see his relationships more clearly. I liked going between the characters as they narrated their thoughts and stories. Sometimes i got a little bogged down in their personal inner thoughts. I also liked the way Payne handled social issues such as homosexuality and abortion. A curve ball thrown by Granny in the cafe as the group waited and i won't say why as it would be a spoiler and i won't say what her curve ball was. Thoughtful and provocative. The ending was very strong and bittersweet. I really could not tell how it was going to end which is unusual. so i'll bump my rating up to a 4.

The writing is beautiful and I had to look up some words, which I love to do. The plot was a little plodding, but I did enjoy this book.

A lot happens in 400 pages. I think there are at least 7 story lines, including the 2 main ones.
Interesting, maybe a bit long in parts for my taste. I enjoyed the setting (Outer Banks NC) particularly.

It's a bit like Nicholas Sparks, but with more substance. Oh, and too many similes. I almost did not get into the story far enough to finish the book because of the overuse of simile; very distracting and tedious! As to the substance....I thought it was a good treatment of homophobia. The issue was, I thought, treated in a way to keep the tension alive without throwing it into one's face; much like I think the issue exists in our present day society. Also a good treatment of a woman's right to chose, and the opposition she can (and did) receive from a very conservative family and community (read "church")base. Third, a good juxtaposition of, and conflict between, traditional ways and values vs. technological "advance" (and accompanying values). Finally, and one of my favourite treatments, families and their failings. I would have rated it higher if not for what I found to be a way of writing (i.e., the simile issue) that interrupted the flow. Kind of like throwing too many rocks into a free flowing stream.

Did not complete.

I read this novel a few years ago but couldn’t resist posting a review because of the lasting impression it made on me.

There are several aspects of this novel that turned me into an instant David Payne fan. He has a lyrical, evocative prose style that is simply a delight to read. Much of Gravesend Light centers on its coastal village setting. His descriptions bring to life the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of this isolated community and those who make their living from the unforgiving sea.

Payne also has the ability to go deep into his characters and explore their psyche. If you like deep character studies, you’ll love this novel. If, on the other hand, you don’t care for that style you’ll probably want to steer clear of Gravesend Light.

In summary, Gravesend Light is a novel you can really sink your teeth into and enjoy for both the masterful prose style and the penetrating exploration of the characters.

Joe Madden is an anthropologist who returns to his family summer home, Little Roanoke, to study the people, who lead a rather isolated life. He takes a job on a fishing ship and writes when he can. He meets Day Shaughnessey, a doctor who has liberal views on birth control and these views appear to go against the views of the local people. They become involved
Joe's family has abundant problems and conflicts going back many years. Day meets the family and isn't positive about how to feel about them.
One of the best parts of the story is a gigantic storm at sea which is vividly described by Payne.