by Chris Cleave
First published 2007
These stories pull readers across varied seascapes, from Orkney's rugged coastlines to Ireland's western edges. Authors explore a cruise ship carrying teenagers toward Gibraltar in the 1970s. They reimagine John Franklin's doomed Arctic voyage as his expedition searches for the Northwest Passage in the 19th century. Mediterranean mysteries unfold against coastal backdrops. Each tale uses the ocean as both setting and force, shaping characters who must navigate its challenges. The sea becomes a testing ground where people confront isolation, adventure, and discovery. Writers from Britain and Ireland bring distinct voices to these maritime encounters. Some characters face the wild Atlantic off remote islands. Others find themselves aboard vessels crossing familiar waters that suddenly turn strange. The collection moves between historical moments and geographical locations, united by water's constant presence. These stories reveal how the sea changes those who encounter it, whether they seek it out or find themselves thrust into its domain.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, adventure
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: isolation, navigation-challenges
Setting: Arctic, Gibraltar, Ireland, Mediterranean, Orkney
Period: 19th-century, 1970s
320 pages · Paperback · National Maritime Museum (UK)