The
sea has always fascinated me, which is why I picked up this book. The prose is
so very rich that I had to ration the amount I read in one go, so as not
to overdose, the way one might only have a small slice of lavish chocolate cake per
sitting.
Fletcher’s
pace glides, bounces, and slips between points of view, at times even for the
same character, and it was sometimes difficult to keep track of everybody, which
is where the inclusion of a family tree was helpful. Most of the characters are
related to one another in some way, whether by blood or marriage, and it is
important to know what these relationships are in order to understand their
reactions.
The
novel seeks to examine the nature of loss, and the fragmentation in its
wake that is felt by those who are left behind. In this way, the sense of
confusion and disjointedness I experienced were appropriate. The changing
points of view and the wide cast of characters serve to reinforce their
turbulent lives and the influence of the sea. Reading it, I experienced a wide
range of emotions, from sadness and melancholy to sympathy, understanding and
elation. This is a book that catches hold and doesn't let go.
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Written by Ann Brook (Library and Information Assistant)
