Song of the Sea God

by Chris Hill

Along with the strange flotsam of the sea, the aptly named John Love drifts in on the grey tide to an island off the English coast. The stranger, both bedazzling and unnerving, effects an immediate messianic glow upon the bladder-wracked community of odds and sods, making disciples of the most unlikely characters.

Chris Hill’s visionary and delightfully bizarre novel reads like the gospel for a neophyte religion spawning in the sea foam among strange goings-on. It examines how destiny is the result of the collective will, especially among tribal folk who forever yearn to conform to ancient cants and creeds.

Song of the Sea God comes from both the ancient incantations of history and mythology and the awkward cadences of the modern age. The plot is riddled with humour and pathos, which will delight fans of the contemporary British literary novel. With rich symbolism and delicious twists of irony, Hill takes the reader on a microcosmic wild ride in a story told by a mute that starts in a pub called The Vengeance. Along the way the reader is treated to a feast of psychotic musings that somehow manages to include miracles, Tip Rats, plastic ducks, the life of pebbles, and a Diary of Stools.

214 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2012

About the author

Chris Hill’s novel, Song of the Sea God, was published by Skylight Press in October 2012. Song of the Sea God was shortlisted for both the Daily Telegraph Novel in a Year competition and the Yeovil Literature Prize under it’s earlier name of The Longing.

Chris works in communications and has a background in newspaper journalism as a reporter, news editor and editor. He has won a number of short story prizes including the Bridport Prize.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all need meaning in our lives. What or who can give us that meaning? Excellently written

[Sarah Broadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment I read this book, I was transported to a wonderful world reminiscent of the weird and eccentric lives of famous literary gods that consumes your every thought. Ensuring the reader steps into the pages, living the story as if it were your own life.

The first couple of chapters reminded me of Ponyo, albeit a children's fantasy story, the connection to the sea and the uncharted waters I haven't yet been brave enough to swim in, come to the fore. I was struck by how realistic and relevant Chris Hill makes the islanders and their way of life. Having visited many rural villages and islands I immediately felt at home as the voice of Bes came flooding through. Nodding away to myself as I agreed whole-heartedly with his descriptions of what some may think a banal existence.

Half way through - I became genuinely concerned for the safety of the characters as it became more and more apparent that all wasn't well - leading me to the conclusion that island life might not be as fantastically fulfilling as a tourist might expect. The imagery and descriptive text constantly keep you up to speed with the advances of Love and the now cult-ridden inhabitants. Very 'Wicker Man' in its prose, the climax does the novel justice in every way, leaving the reader slightly unnerved at the sadly inevitable end.

Everyone, whether they like it or not has a John Love in their life. Willy Wonka in his charisma with a little bit of Dr Who thrown in for magic and mystery. A person to be wary of but to be bewitched by all the same, making you asses your friendships and change your life for the better, or worse as the case was for some of the unsuspecting locals. I'm just glad that Chris Hill brought these characters to the world and made me empathise with, root for and crossly shout at as I made my way through the pages.

Best days I have spent reading in a long time. I am very much looking forward to reading more.

[Garry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As another reviewer has pointed out, this superb novel, which takes place on a (presumably) real island off Northwest England, has echoes of Lord of the Flies and The Magus. A tale of a remarkably charismatic stranger, John Love, who comes to a dull community and transforms it, inspiring the herd-like locals to disregard conventions and laws, energizing them to take actions which seem liberating and noble, and yet also turning them, at times, into a mob--this is both the England of soap operas and the football terraces, but also an allegory, with strong mythical overtones. Is Love a prophet, or a profiteer? It's a remarkably taut and suspenseful story, narrated with wry humor by a dwarf who is mute but by no means foolish. In almost any really well-written book, the narrator, however apparently tangential to the story, turns out to be the most important character. Thus, in The Great Gatsby, for instance, although the protagonist is apparently Gatsby, it's actually Nick, who for most of the novel appears to be little more than an observer, who really changes, who gets a moral education. And similarly, in my opinion, this book is really about the enigmatic dwarf, the little person, the silent person, and what he or she--I won't elaborate on that--learns in the end that stays with the reader, however unforgettable the character of John Love is. This is a remarkably original work, one of the boldest and most striking novels I've read in recent years. Kudos to Skylight Press for publishing it. Very strongly recommended.
Song of the Sea God

[Malombre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished song of the sea god .... Cracking read ... a seamless drop back and forth in styles
with rye and respectful nods to influence ....try and imagine the diversity of obscure American folk groups, Anthony Shaffer or the manic street preachers!!
Modern twists of comedy drenched in a beautifully classic style of presentation, a bit of an Irvine Welch meets George Eliot.
Most chapters are entertaining and even laugh out loud, but then slide swiftly into the unanticipated and macabre.
A steady read for the
book shy like me, but there’s plenty in there for the well read too.
A subtle approach to the convoluted plot idea, much more like a Shakespearian aside than a chubby girl on Pontins factor trying to mimic Beyonce.
This would make a great movie incidentally in this modern era of the dark comic twist.

[Anita Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful cover and the title of Song of the Sea God initially drew me to want to read it, and I am really glad I did.
An unusual story, like nothing I have read before and strangely compelling, like going on a magical mystery tour... It's as though Chris Hill casts some kind of subconscious spell on you and you surrender to the story, unable to leave until you are done.
I love the way Chris can write about everything he sees and feels in this book with such eloquence. As a writer, I see and feel too, but most of the words fail me. In comparison, I have no language to express my emotions; they stay inside me, never to see the light of day.
As I read Song of the Sea God, I became more and more humbled... every nuance is there, nothing is missed. This man can write and beautifully too!

[Valerie O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish this novel was an excellent read. I didn't want the story to end.

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s difficult for a short review to convey the quality of writing in this astonishing story, and I don’t want to spoil the book for new readers by giving too much away.

This is a story of a visitor to an island, a man called John Love. Love is a charismatic iconoclast and a catalyst of radical change. He seems both miraculous and a fraud in equal measure and the reader is always left guessing as to which is true.

The narrator is Bes, a mute dwarf with a wonderful turn of phrase and a sharp mind, if not tongue. It is Bes that first meets Love, and the relationship between the two is compelling. Chris Hill’s cast of characters is brilliantly portrayed, and he moves then around in the story like chess pieces across the board.

I have to agree that this has a hint of Lord of the Flies, but only a hint. This is not a story about a descent into internecine barbarity as in Lord of the Flies, but rather about a strange, sometimes brutally tragic catharsis that remoulds the inhabitants of the island.

I also found myself considering whether this is also one of the cleverest allegories I’ve read. Is it a portrayal in microcosm of the ills of our world and deliverance from them? Or perhaps an abstract picture of the complexities and turmoil that lives in us all, each of us being our own island. Read the story and decide for yourself.

The book is earthy but eloquent; the prose is sharp and witty without being pretentious. It has hints of Father Ted, The Wicker Man and even a whiff of Twin Peaks about it. And Chris Hill does “dark” so well. He is extremely skilful at leading the reader in one direction and then suddenly snapping them round and confronting them with truly disturbing and totally unexpected scenes.

I’m not surprised that Song of the Sea God was shortlisted for two major awards, and by rights it should be considered for adaption into a major film.

Song of the Sea God is a compelling tale that I highly recommend.

[Michelle Heatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Song of the Sea God by Chris Hill

I discovered Song of the Sea God through following Chris Hill on Twitter - @chilledCH – and through his excellent and always interesting blog. Having had my interest spiked, when the novel was published I made sure I got my copy.

Song of the Sea God is a novel to be absorbed, reaching a place where reality is suspended. Told through the eyes of Bes, a stranger, John Love, arrives on an island on a grey tide. The island’s disparate mix of characters is all affected in some way or other by the arrival of John Love. Some of these pieces of flotsam you grow to like and empathise with and some are so unlovely they will never be missed.

The novel is not a comfortable read. Chris Hill’s writing draws you in slowly, intractably, building hope that John Love will change the life of the islanders. Each page turned brings surprises, joyous funny moments and strange occurrences and, as the novel moves forward, darker and horrifying events.

I found Song of the Sea God compelling and I want to read it again. As with all thought provoking writers there is always more to be discovered.

[Jesse Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a voice that is as raw, unpredictable, and beautiful as the sea, Chris Hill delivers a hauntingly singular, rich debut novel in Song of the Sea God.

John Love, a wondrously huge and intriguing character tinged with magical realism, serenades a hermetic island with the sweetly disturbing question, "How are you in yourself?" The reader, along with the islanders, much each face this question as Hill leads us through fascinating plot developments and utterly unforeseeable climaxing events, owning our literary souls with surprisingly virginal and poignant prose.

This novel is a lullaby of artistic vision and an absolute treasure. I know you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Yours in literature,
J.G.C.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make time for this book...and try not to rush it! It's compelling, but it deserves to be savoured.
The story has a timeless quality, it wouldn't be out of place at any time in our history. The most fundamental aspects of human nature are held up to the light, and we may not like what we see. But what shines through is how much the author loves his characters. Each is so lovingly and cleverly observed. He defies you to pigeon-hole them, to either love or hate them, and in this way the reader is offered hope for themselves.
It would be right to describe this book as dark, but it also has plenty of warmth and wry,surprising humour. I loved it.

[Lynn Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song of the Sea God is a sophisticated read about a bored town’s need to embrace the mysterious John Love, who shows up on their island. His charisma and good looks give him a certain power over them. He even leads them down paths that they later question when Love’s integrity is challenged. It allows the reader to be reminded of many human traits such as a need for having an idol or hero and the need to often bury the truth. Chris Hill’s work is very original and would make a lively discussion for a college classroom or a book club. His vocabulary and description makes the reader feel as if they are there watching the events unfold.

[Angela Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and intriguing book with a charismatic central character, John Love, whose arrival on an island changes the lives of the islanders. Part holy man - part magician, Love quickly finds himself a team of disciples led by Bes a mute dwarf. The story twists and tumbles towards its inevitability with shades of Wicker Man, and Harvest Home drawing the reader in to the dark side of closed communities. Bleak, yet darkly funny in parts, it is almost impossible not to read passages out to your nearest and dearest to make them want to read it too!

[Chris Pavesic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although it is not typically what I would pick up to read. However, I am glad that I strayed from my usual genres to read Song of the Sea God. It is a superbly well-crafted novel.

Hill's work contains rich, and memorable, imagery. This is what strikes me the most about his writing--his ability to draw a reader into the story word and to create characters, settings, and events that linger in the imagination well after closing the pages of the novel.

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, sharp and lyrical. Contemporary literature at its best.

[Christine Hayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow