The Town That Drowned Released

River Valley Flood: A Memory, Not Just A Novel Idea

By Ethan Haslett

Reil Nason reads from her newest novel "The Town That Drowned"

WOODSTOCK- The story leapt from the pages as the novelist read the lines as they were intended to be heard. The Town that Drowned is a new novel written by the region’s newest published author, Reil Nason. 

Based on a true event, the novel is written from the viewpoint of a 14-year-old girl as the community she lived in flooded. The flood was caused by the dam being built just down-river from Woodstock in Mactaquac.

Fern Bail is a member of the Historical Society and to her the new novel rings an old bell. “I find it very interesting because I lived through the time that she’s referring to,” said Fern

The dam was built in the 1960s so for some residents it’s still a memory and not just a novel idea. For them, the novel has brought to life their past.

 

“I remember very well when the Mactaquac dam was built. It didn’t affect me personally but it affected a lot of people in the Woodstock area.”

Several communities flooded at the time. Families were moved, along with some houses. Bail will always remember the time as she saw it, a time when people weren’t given a choice, merely told that it was going to happen and to get into line with progress.

Nason, an experienced short story author, shared her favorite excerpts from her book during the book signing at Connell House Thursday to promote her first full length book. It was an eye opening experience for Nason, as she talked to guests.

“It’s been really nice talking to people after hearing a few personal stories and personal connections, especially back to that time period,” she said. “It’s been very nice. For me, it’s only based on knowing the local area. It’s imaginary people, dealing with a real situation.”

The Town that Drowned will be on book shelves in October. Nason hopes people read the story not only for its entertainment value, but also for a look at what people living in the Saint John River Valley went through during this turbulent time of growth.