The Book Nook

Stormy marital seas   Tragedy, troubled marriages and large bodies of water are common themes shared in two books featured today.  One takes readers back to England in the mid-1800s while the other follows a modern family who take to the sea for a year. Readers willing to exchange a plot-driven tale for complex characters and mesmerizing language may wish to try Lori Baker’s novel “The Glass Ocean”.  Set in Victorian England, the book opens with a young woman, Carlotta, walking us through her parent’s meeting and marriage.  She’s the sole narrator and our guide into a look at obsession and unrequited love. We learn that her grandfather, like many, was caught up in the era’s mania for exploration and discovery.  He and his daughter Clotilde embark on a sailing expedition to find new species of animals and plants. Joining them on board the aptly-named Narcissus is Leo Dell’oro, a young artist hired to draw their new discoveries.  Leo is quickly smitten with Clotilde but too shy to reveal his feelings.  She senses his attraction and responds unkindly. It’s obvious that the two are an unlikely match, yet we know the couple will marry.  That’s due to a tragic event after which the two settle in a place which holds haunting memories for Leo and little attraction for his new wife, whose focus turns even further inward. Unrequited love provides the framework for Carlotta’s seemingly dispassionate account of her parents, who are awkwardly isolated from each other.  Bizarre circumstances and jealousy add elements of interest, as does the author’s lyrical prose and skill at capturing a sense of the times. While the novel does have a loosely-based plot, it’s mainly Baker’s expressive ability that propels the story.  The language is dreamy, almost hypnotic throughout the entire book.  Some may find this distracting while others will enjoy the prolonged intensity of the author’s prose. As Leo’s focus shifts from drawing to the art of glassmaking, we learn a bit about the science behind his new vocation.  His fixation with perfection matches the level of his wife’s preoccupation with something she’s lost forever. The main characters seem to be an island unto themselves, for better or worse.  Baker creates an interesting narration perspective, showing us the internal fires of people living in a time of emotional suppression.  The imagery alone is worth it in this character study of repressed Victorian characters. In our second book, “Sea Wife” by Amity Gaige, the emotional waters are equally turbulent.  It explores the effects of an impulsive decision on a strained marriage.  The tale starts with a woman named Juliet wondering why she can’t finish her dissertation and if she’s failing her husband Michael and two young children.  She struggles with depression that’s severe at times and she’s frustrated by the ever-present darkness and how it affects their lives. When Michael suggests they buy a sailboat and explore the Caribbean for a year, she thinks he’s joking.  Or insane.  She knows he’s unhappy with his job but fears losing their only source of income.  He thinks this will be a great opportunity for the family. They disagree whether her lack of sailing experience or the desire to learn is a problem and appears confident.  Inwardly he frets about his own preparedness for such a challenge, but feels compelled to try.  After months of arguing he convinces her to take the plunge.  She admires his self-assurance but isn’t convinced that the voyage will resolve their woes. To her surprise, the trip provides amazing experiences for them and their two young children.  Each day brings new discoveries and experiences.  Adapting to life on the ocean provides both entertainment and teaching moments for them all.  There is an otherworldliness in being at sea that none of them could have anticipated. Unexpected challenges will test their patience and put their skills to the test, creating a new appreciation for help from unexpected places.  At times the journey brings the couple closer as they’re forced into a new level of teamwork and divides them at others. An angry accusation and the discovery that one of the adults is keeping secrets from the other further damages their relationship.  Neither knows that tragic circumstances will soon reshape their future. Information about the family is learned via Juliet’s rhythmical first-person narration and Michael’s entries in the ship’s log.  She discusses her dissertation topic of poetry her family and battling despair.  His journaling provides insights into his childhood and his history with Juliet.  Between the two we gain entry into the minds of the central characters as we learn of past traumas and the strain of marriage and being parents. There’s good pacing to be found in “Sea Wife”, along with thoughtful prose.  The menacing tone set early in the book adds a feeling of suspense and expectation.  There are also moments of hope and tenderness.  FYI, Gaige follows some other modern writers by not using quotation marks for dialog. The author touches on the couple’s differing political beliefs, which reflects some of the current polarization around the world.  She also makes forays into the subjects of gender roles and poetry. Both books provide detailed looks at complex people who live internally and how communication difficulties erect barriers between those craving closeness with their partner.  And both offer a moody feel that steers the plot through troubled waters.