The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde, Diane Oatley (translator)

[gilda_elise]

From the author of the #1 international bestseller and Indie Next Pick The History of Bees, a captivating new standalone novel about the threat of a worldwide water shortage as seen through the eyes of a father and daughter.

In 2019, seventy-year-old Signe sets out on a hazardous voyage to cross an entire ocean in only a sailboat. She is haunted by the loss of the love of her life, and is driven by a singular and all-consuming mission to make it back to him.

In 2041, David flees with his young daughter, Lou, from a war-torn Southern Europe plagued by drought. They have been separated from their rest of their family and are on a desperate search to reunite with them once again, when they find Signe's abandoned sailboat in a parched French garden, miles away from the nearest shore.

As David and Lou discover personal effects from Signe's travels, their journey of survival and hope weaves together with Signe's, forming a heartbreaking, inspiring story about the power of nature and the human spirit in this second novel from the author of the "spectacular and deeply moving, The History of Bees.”

A powerful interweaving of the present and future, we hope for a good outcome for both Signe and David, but wonder if that’s possible. Each must deal with a changing world. Signe is trying to save it, David is only trying to survive.

Sparce, yet compelling, the story of what is, and what will be, is heartbreaking. The characters aren’t always likable; Signe is bitter and angry at what is happening to her world, David is often childish. But in the end I came to care for both character. Ultimately, I found it to be a book well worth reading.






Links are to more information regarding each book or author, not to the review.

1. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
2. The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig
3. The Autumn Throne (Eleanor of Aquitaine #3) by Elizabeth Chadwick
4. Grant's Final Victory: Ulysses S. Grant's Heroic Last Year by Charles Bracelen Flood
5. Doctor Sleep (The Shining #2) by Stephen King



6. The High House by Jessie Greengrass
7. Leadership: In Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin
8. Nightmare Country by Marlys Millhiser
9. The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde, Diane Oatley (translator)

Comments

[wpadmirer.livejournal.com]

[severina2001.livejournal.com]

That one sounds interesting.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

It is. So much so that I'm going to look into her other books.

[honor-reid.livejournal.com]

Two timelines can really add a lot of depth to a book especially if it is well done which this one sounds like it is. I am glad you liked it!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Even though it's been translated, Lunde's gift as a writer comes through. The two timelines never jar, the story going smoothly from one story to the other.

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

[justjo2u]

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

It's not my kind of book, but it does sound intriguing and compelling. I'm glad it worked for you.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

It really did. I do like post-apocalyptic stories, especially those that center on how people are dealing with the changes, and where the end of life as they know it is enough to move the story forward. Not a zombie in sight!