Noah's Rejects

What a delightful read. In Noah’s Rejects, the author really captures the highs and lows of life in a seasonal resort area. The setting of Chappaquiddick or “Chappy”, is a wonderful backdrop for the tales of a community dependent on seasonal tourism, with all the quirks and warts. The vignettes woven throughout the book describing the dysfunction within the community and the sacrifices people endure to live in paradise are spot on. It is a wonderful journey and glimpse into island living with the realities of the harshness of North East winters intertwined. The descriptions of what one looks forward to and not, in the change in the NE seasons rings so true. His love of family and community, in all their forms, are evident and celebrated throughout this enjoyable, heartfelt read. I highly recommend it!

This is a bittersweet read that takes you through a gamut of emotions. A good lesson in fantasy vs. reality, I enjoyed every story from the warm and fuzzy tales as well as the uncomfortable ones that highlight the best and worst of human nature. Bonus: it is set on my favorite island, so it was fun to read about many places that I am familiar with.

Rob has captured as they say, ‘a day in a life’. Only it’s 365 days and not only ‘a’ life but the story of many. We get to know Rob pretty well in these pages. He is the best of us. He is fair minded and compassionate. He sees the core of people not just their outer shell. He exposes parts of himself most would shy from doing. I love how he loves his family and takes his role by the horns for their good and not necessarily his. He makes the hard decisions even while helping others to the last. I would love to read more from him. He writes about life in it’s entirety.. the highs and lows and the gut wrenching flow interestingly .. sometimes funny and sometimes scary and sometimes disappointing. But! That is life, now isn’t it?

Excellent book . Very entertaining and gives a glimpse of what year round life on Chappy can be like.

As a former part-time resident of Chappaquiddick (and client of Chappy Unlimited), I was delighted to hear about this book. I loved reading the many references to places I knew well, and stories I’d heard. More important to the general reader was the fact of this vivid, well-written and very honest portrayal of life on that beautiful little island. The author was a year-round resident, surviving largely by providing service to the vacationing summer residents. The struggle of balancing work versus the needs of a young family resonated. The smallness of the community can magnify toxic behavior, though it can also engender acts of heroism. Even in paradise the darker side of human nature intrudes. Highly recommended.

Being as I have always dreamed of living on Martha’s Vineyard, this book was very entertaining and insightful. Vacationers get a bird’s eye view of what year round workers and residents go through, both in summer and winter. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The author does a wonderful job narrating through the very different Chappy seasons, with individual stories just the right length to allow the reader to get to know his family and the characters of this tiny hamlet off Martha's Vineyard. Bringing you inside his life and the many difficult business and family decisions that come with living on such a remote destination. You laugh at some of his father Jerry's jokes, you get mad at local politics and the lack of action to build some bike paths, and cry as they have to make some life changing choices. It's quick moving, and perfect for the beach!

Having visited Martha’s Vineyard many times, I’ve often wondered what it would be like to live there year-round. This book gives an inside view into that world; showing the good, bad, funny, and at times heartrending truth of being an “Islander”. It’s a charming read with some laugh out loud moments.