A PART OF THE MAIN: SHORT STORIES OF THE MAINE COAST,

by Edward M.Holmes '33. Orono: University of Maine,1973. With drawings by Arline K. Thomson.177 pp. $4.95.

The fishermen who live and work along Maine's rocky coast are, of necessity, a hardy breed who live constantly with the dangers that go with the sea. Mr. Holmes concentrates his stories on the grim and tragic side of that experience, which gives a somber cast to an otherwise delightful collection of stories.

The first section of the book consists of 18 stories relating to bad storms, seamanship (or the lack of it), courage, and brave men doing what has to be done. Here and there is a lighter touch, including a very sensitive one involving a remembered teen-age romance, but even then sadness or tragedy seems to preoccupy the author.

The narrative has good pace, however, and the dialogue is written with a good ear for terse, laconic speech patterns. Character insights likewise ring true and occasionally produce striking lines like: "There was a dignity in the sharpness of his eyes, an independence in his carriage that forbade the offer of help. Like some other Yankees, he had much in common with the cat."

The last nine stories, gathered under the subtitle of "A Few Clams and Mussels," have a warm humor that lightens the book and makes it delightful. These largely deal with problems of human nature as seen from the vantage point of a town selectman. Government is complicated and fascinating at any level, but a selectman of a small Maine fishing community clearly finds that every problem is very personal to someone and must face very direct relations with his neighbors on every decision. The pitch of Yankee experience, wisdom, and humor comes through nicely here.

What one might not entirely be sure about from reading this collection of stories is whether these people are fun-loving and filled with a sense of humor. Those of us who know them can testify that they are. It would be nice to have a companion volume of tales from Mr. Holmes devoted to the practical jokes and humorous yarns these people love so much, which make the rough days just part of life.

Mr. Colton, Vice President for Alumni Relationsand Development, Dartmouth College, knowswhereof he speaks as a vacation resident ofMonhegan Island.