Visit the locations in the novel

This was quite the adventure! The author’s note is impressively detailed and almost as fascinating as the fictional story but be sure not to read this until the end.

There’s so much to this novel but it’s never too heavy nor overdone. The characters of Piers and Len were fascinating to read about and what they go through is heartbreaking. One scene in particular made me look away.

The most fascinating part for me was how real historical events were used and evoked to create this story of struggles, power and ultimately love. The story captures the time and place of the mid-1600’s with style and all of the five senses placing you right at the heart of the action in the squalor on one hand, and the rich homes where status and political position was everything.

If you don’t like sailing, be warned – the battle of the Armada comes to life and you feel part of the chaos, excitement and danger

There’s a lot to love here – a film of the story would be amazing.

Oh and kudos to the translator – very nicely done! smooth unlike the sea in the setting!