Three page-turners offering very different perspectives of life in Rangeley, Maine.
For those who still read books (there are a few of us left), snuggle up by a fireplace and catch up on your Rangeley nostalgia. This is a surprising little town, to say the least:
Benedict Arnold Slept Here, Jack Douglas' Honeymoon Mountain Inn, is pure literary comedy. There's more truth to this book than the outsider may think, and bringing it up in conversation locally could draw the ire of some old-timers who saw straight through Douglas' aptly-chosen pseudonyms. Like binge-watching Fawlty Towers or Newhart, this book follows the travails of an innkeeper in a dysfunctional small hamlet: Granby Lakes (err, Rangeley Lakes). Part fact, part fiction, and a heaping dose of exaggeration make this an irresistible read (especially for those of us in the biz).
Rangeley Through Time, by Gary Priest. Just the facts, and the photos... really cool old photos. If you're at all familiar with Rangeley you'll find it fascinating to see how the town has evolved over time. Many of the places in the images are recognizable, but Gary also includes modern images of the same locations or buildings for added perspective. A detailed caption accompanies each of the photos. This book is fun to flip through and it belongs on your coffee table.
A Book of Dreams, by Peter Reich. So you thought this was an ordinary little mountain town? Think again. Peter Reich writes from the perspective of his youth, as the son of Wilhelm Reich, participating in weather manipulation, war with aliens, and experiments with life energy. He weaves in and out of his childhood experiences through a series of dreams, hence the book's title. For those who haven't visited the Wilhelm Reich Museum in Rangeley, do it before you read this book. Wilhelm Reich has been called the 'father of the sexual revolution' and his research into life energy was subject to scrutiny by his peers and legal action by the federal government. The story offers a very intimate perspective on Wilhelm Reich and a nostalgic look at Peter's childhood in Rangeley.