What do you think?
Rate this book
Sturm
Alex hat seine Eltern bei einem Autounfall verloren. Als er Jahre später nach Tasmanien zurückkehrt, begegnet er Merridy. Auch ihre Kindheit wurde von einem tragischen Verlust überschattet. Alex und Merridy verlieben sich und heiraten, doch ihr Wunsch nach einem Kind bleibt unerfüllt. Da trägt ihnen ein Sturm einen jungen Schiffbrüchigen ins Haus. Er ersetzt Merridy den vermissten Bruder und den beiden das fehlende Kind. Doch das neue, scheinbar perfekte Glück beginnt bereits zu bröckeln. Lang unterdrückte Bedürfnisse brechen sich Bahn und drohen das Leben aller Beteiligten von einem Tag auf den anderen in tausend Stücke zu sprengen.
„Wie lesen das Buch am Anfang als wären wir im Urlaub am Meer (…), doch dann werden wir immer mehr hineingezogen in das Leben dieser Menschen.“ (Elke Heidenreich)
„Wie lesen das Buch am Anfang als wären wir im Urlaub am Meer (…), doch dann werden wir immer mehr hineingezogen in das Leben dieser Menschen.“ (Elke Heidenreich)
542 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
38 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Shakespeare
47 books110 followersNicholas William Richmond Shakespeare is a English novelist and biographer.
Born to a diplomat, Nicholas Shakespeare grew up in the Far East and in South America. He was educated at the Dragon School preparatory school in Oxford, then at Winchester College and at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He worked as a journalist for BBC television and then on The Times as assistant arts and literary editor. From 1988 to 1991 he was literary editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph.
Since 2000, Shakespeare has been Patron of the Anita Goulden Trust, helping children in the Peruvian city of Piura. The UK-based charity was set up following an article that Shakespeare wrote for the Daily Telegraph magazine, which raised more than £350,000.
He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He is married with two small boys and currently lives in Oxford.
Born to a diplomat, Nicholas Shakespeare grew up in the Far East and in South America. He was educated at the Dragon School preparatory school in Oxford, then at Winchester College and at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He worked as a journalist for BBC television and then on The Times as assistant arts and literary editor. From 1988 to 1991 he was literary editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph.
Since 2000, Shakespeare has been Patron of the Anita Goulden Trust, helping children in the Peruvian city of Piura. The UK-based charity was set up following an article that Shakespeare wrote for the Daily Telegraph magazine, which raised more than £350,000.
He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He is married with two small boys and currently lives in Oxford.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 25, 2018
An interesting story set on a farm near a small town in Tasmania with themes of love, loss, and life not turning out the way you expected. Although I enjoyed the book, the writing style was challenging at times. The author insisted on inserting flashbacks to the past in awkward spots and at times had a meandering approach to dealing with inner thoughts and feelings that interfered with understanding what was happening or being said in the present. I found it an irritating, but not insurmountable, approach to story-telling. The main characters were well developed and there was just enough (but not too much) development of supplementary characters. Pacing of the story was quite well done, and I found that the introduction of changes and new directions for the characters was quite well placed when the detail of the life progression was starting to become a little tedious. So on balance, I rated it as a 3, instead of a 4.
Read
January 12, 2020A very good book.
About more than love and loss, infertility and infidelity, more than peace and despair.... it is about sailing ships and sheering sheep and bowling and Tasmanian summer and electricity and forgiveness of self and oysters and ghosts and a mysterious coin. All of those things and none of them.
Instantly jealous of the author's name, I picked this book up at my library after contemplating not checking anything out, as I'd left my reading list at home and it had well over 100 books to read. I can't be bothered with impulse reading (and maritime novels really aren't my thing)... but I went against myself and borrowed the book anyway.
What I found was a brightly colored cast of characters, as seen through the black and white of a small town newspaper. Just enough back story was written about each character that the reader had a faint idea of where they came from, but was not overwhelmed with detail. Yet, they came together so intimately at the end... you might have been reading about your own cousin. It is the quintessential love story of life on a farm. There's inheritance throughout, but not enough to be unbelievable - no princesses, just one money grubbing womanizer and a reference to Titan.
Perhaps my only disappointment was the author’s tendency to describe a past event being called to attention during a current conversation. Not only did it make following the conversation difficult (I half suspect Shakespeare did that on purpose) but it just felt unnecessary. The flashbacks didn’t add to the story, in my opinion.
Overall, I’d give it 4.5 stars….. but it didn’t rock my world.
About more than love and loss, infertility and infidelity, more than peace and despair.... it is about sailing ships and sheering sheep and bowling and Tasmanian summer and electricity and forgiveness of self and oysters and ghosts and a mysterious coin. All of those things and none of them.
Instantly jealous of the author's name, I picked this book up at my library after contemplating not checking anything out, as I'd left my reading list at home and it had well over 100 books to read. I can't be bothered with impulse reading (and maritime novels really aren't my thing)... but I went against myself and borrowed the book anyway.
What I found was a brightly colored cast of characters, as seen through the black and white of a small town newspaper. Just enough back story was written about each character that the reader had a faint idea of where they came from, but was not overwhelmed with detail. Yet, they came together so intimately at the end... you might have been reading about your own cousin. It is the quintessential love story of life on a farm. There's inheritance throughout, but not enough to be unbelievable - no princesses, just one money grubbing womanizer and a reference to Titan.
Perhaps my only disappointment was the author’s tendency to describe a past event being called to attention during a current conversation. Not only did it make following the conversation difficult (I half suspect Shakespeare did that on purpose) but it just felt unnecessary. The flashbacks didn’t add to the story, in my opinion.
Overall, I’d give it 4.5 stars….. but it didn’t rock my world.
August 4, 2010
What a gem of a novel that I suspect has yet to be discovered by a broader American audience. Shakespeare a British writer who splits time living in England and Tasmania, paints a colorful canvas of contemporary Southeast Tasmania. He scripts his characters with such psychological depth that one feels the remoteness of the setting. A setting of which the early Europeans said, "represented the literal end of the world: if you travel any further you are on your way home again." His main characters Alex and Merridy both experience tragic loss very early in life. This is a commonality in their budding relationship and a complexity that shadows their eventual marriage. They live on a coastal farm which Shakespeare depicts with a lyrical prose that could make the Old Bard himself beam with pride. Then there is also the oyster farm that becomes Merridy's endeavor. In reading some reviews that have dubbed this as a rather slow tale, I beg to disagree. From the opening pages the reader senses the tensions and conflicts which lead to the buildup. As a book review from the UK's The Sunday Times brilliantly summarizes, this novel is "carefully measured storytelling."
August 4, 2022
The characters develop slowly and very beautifully. I love how authentic and transparent they are, and as more about each character is revealed, their behavior is more deeply and compassionately understood.
The setting is very Tasmanian and, although imagined, rings very true of a small east coast town. I wanted this story to continue for ever. Although heart-wrenching, it is so realistic it is difficult to disassociate from it. One of those reads that I will be pondering for months to come.
Upon reflection, I also think this book is interesting in the way the characters interact. Some bad behavior is overlooked/accepted as the character meets interpersonal needs in other ways. Some characters do good things, but their morals and unknown behaviors of the past are imagined and called to question. It's a really interesting portrayal of good and evil, and what we are willing to accept if we are getting our needs met. It's one of those amazing books that you can peel more and more layers from as it explores the essence of human nature. Albert Talbot is the god of the story who sits alone in the upstairs room of his store and spies on all who come and go, observing everybody through his binoculars understanding more about the townsfolk than they do themselves. He writes the town newsletter but doesn't disclose his omnipotence, only mundane chitchat about the cricket club and the Anzac Day wreath. He and his newsletter are symbolic of the characters who have so much to say to each other, yet remain silent on the matters they should address.
The setting is very Tasmanian and, although imagined, rings very true of a small east coast town. I wanted this story to continue for ever. Although heart-wrenching, it is so realistic it is difficult to disassociate from it. One of those reads that I will be pondering for months to come.
Upon reflection, I also think this book is interesting in the way the characters interact. Some bad behavior is overlooked/accepted as the character meets interpersonal needs in other ways. Some characters do good things, but their morals and unknown behaviors of the past are imagined and called to question. It's a really interesting portrayal of good and evil, and what we are willing to accept if we are getting our needs met. It's one of those amazing books that you can peel more and more layers from as it explores the essence of human nature. Albert Talbot is the god of the story who sits alone in the upstairs room of his store and spies on all who come and go, observing everybody through his binoculars understanding more about the townsfolk than they do themselves. He writes the town newsletter but doesn't disclose his omnipotence, only mundane chitchat about the cricket club and the Anzac Day wreath. He and his newsletter are symbolic of the characters who have so much to say to each other, yet remain silent on the matters they should address.
February 28, 2019
Not sure why this was such a slow read. Took me ages to finish it. Found it interesting. Story of a couple who made a life together farming. He had a tragic loss early on in his life. A young man comes into their lives and has a big impact on them. Other characters are also very well developed. So well that I felt a deep dislike for one. It all ends happily enough.
August 6, 2018
Havets hemligheter, 2008. ISBN: 9146217215
En psykologisk äktenskapsroman som fängslar från första början. Vi får följa deras liv på en boskapsfarm i östra Tasmanien. Miljöskildringen bidrar nog mycket till att detta är en bok som man inte gärna lägger ifrån sig. En upplevelse på flera plan.
En psykologisk äktenskapsroman som fängslar från första början. Vi får följa deras liv på en boskapsfarm i östra Tasmanien. Miljöskildringen bidrar nog mycket till att detta är en bok som man inte gärna lägger ifrån sig. En upplevelse på flera plan.
February 28, 2021
‘There was one road into Wellington Point and one road out.’
Alex Dove has returned to (the fictional town of) Wellington Point on the east coast of Tasmania after twelve years in England. He was eleven years old when he was sent to school in England after his parents were killed in a car accident. Alex has inherited his parents’ unprofitable farm and his father’s collection of ships in bottles.
‘The weekend Alex met Merridy he had driven to Wellington Point to look for ice-cream sticks in the school rubbish tins.’
Merridy comes to Wellington Point with her own parents: her father in a wheelchair needing care, her mother there from a sense of duty. Merridy has abandoned her studies in Melbourne to help her parents. Merridy and Alex are drawn together. They marry and are determined to make a success of life on Alex’s farm with the family they intend to have. Merridy finds a flair for oyster farming, which helps relieve financial pressures.
But things do not go according to plan and they are already becoming strangers to each other when the sinking of a ship in a storm brings Kish into their lives. Kish is part of a semi-literate crew of young offenders serving on a replica brigantine as part of a rehabilitation programme. Though the young delinquent seems truculent and disturbed, the couple take him into their home, which allows Alex to ‘indulge the extravagant idea that he had plucked from the sea a child he never had’, while Merridy finds him reminiscent of her lost brother, Hector.
I loved the setting of this novel, on the east coast of Tasmania, near the town of Swansea. This is a beautiful part of Tasmania, rich in history and naturally beautiful. I envisaged Talbot’s Store as Morris’ Store in Swansea, with its views over the main road and across the bay. The story moved slowly at times, but I did not mind, until Kish entered the story. Kish’s presence jarred, for me, and while I kept reading, my interest waned.
I finished the novel, delighted by the description of Wellington Point and the surrounding country, and hoping that the future would be kinder for the main characters.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Alex Dove has returned to (the fictional town of) Wellington Point on the east coast of Tasmania after twelve years in England. He was eleven years old when he was sent to school in England after his parents were killed in a car accident. Alex has inherited his parents’ unprofitable farm and his father’s collection of ships in bottles.
‘The weekend Alex met Merridy he had driven to Wellington Point to look for ice-cream sticks in the school rubbish tins.’
Merridy comes to Wellington Point with her own parents: her father in a wheelchair needing care, her mother there from a sense of duty. Merridy has abandoned her studies in Melbourne to help her parents. Merridy and Alex are drawn together. They marry and are determined to make a success of life on Alex’s farm with the family they intend to have. Merridy finds a flair for oyster farming, which helps relieve financial pressures.
But things do not go according to plan and they are already becoming strangers to each other when the sinking of a ship in a storm brings Kish into their lives. Kish is part of a semi-literate crew of young offenders serving on a replica brigantine as part of a rehabilitation programme. Though the young delinquent seems truculent and disturbed, the couple take him into their home, which allows Alex to ‘indulge the extravagant idea that he had plucked from the sea a child he never had’, while Merridy finds him reminiscent of her lost brother, Hector.
I loved the setting of this novel, on the east coast of Tasmania, near the town of Swansea. This is a beautiful part of Tasmania, rich in history and naturally beautiful. I envisaged Talbot’s Store as Morris’ Store in Swansea, with its views over the main road and across the bay. The story moved slowly at times, but I did not mind, until Kish entered the story. Kish’s presence jarred, for me, and while I kept reading, my interest waned.
I finished the novel, delighted by the description of Wellington Point and the surrounding country, and hoping that the future would be kinder for the main characters.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Read
October 4, 2022DNF.. storyline is too slow for me!
January 20, 2014
Secrets of the Sea was one of those books that I almost couldn't put down and had to finish it asap - just bought it a night before this review and while at 400 odd pages not that short, I put everything else down and read it with passion; a love story, a story of a marriage, a story of secrets and a story of life in a small town in a remote area of the world.
the structure of the book - with an intense beginning (in 1988) and an intense ending in 2004-2005, while the in-between, "normal" years of a marriage and a life with its achievements, problems and context pass by and change the two main characters, while they still remain at heart defined by their respective tragedies (one lost his parents in a tragic accident, the other's older brother whom she worshiped disappeared as a young boy and is presumed dead though nobody knew if it was an accident, a kidnapping, a murder...) and by their commitment to one another - works very well and the novel succeeds completely
excellent stuff and highly recommended
the structure of the book - with an intense beginning (in 1988) and an intense ending in 2004-2005, while the in-between, "normal" years of a marriage and a life with its achievements, problems and context pass by and change the two main characters, while they still remain at heart defined by their respective tragedies (one lost his parents in a tragic accident, the other's older brother whom she worshiped disappeared as a young boy and is presumed dead though nobody knew if it was an accident, a kidnapping, a murder...) and by their commitment to one another - works very well and the novel succeeds completely
excellent stuff and highly recommended
March 3, 2011
Alex seine Eltern Sterben sehr früh bei einem Autounfall. Er wird nach England auf ein Internat geschickt. Nach vielen Jahren kehrt er zurück und will die Farm eigentlich Verkaufen, da sie das Verschwinden von Merridys Bruder nie verkraftet haben. Nach dem sich Merridy und Alex näher kennengelernt haben beschließen sie zu Heiraten. Bis ein schrecklicher Sturm kommt, doch seine Kindheit lässt ihn nicht mehr los. Also beschließt er die Farm aufzurüsten. Kurze Zeit später lernt er Merridy kennen. Merridy ist mit ihrer Mutter nach Wellington Point gekommen um für ihren todkranken Vater ein Pflegeheim zu suchen. Ihre Eltern sind geschieden, leben sie kinderlos aber glücklich. Doch der Sturm verändert ihr ganzes leben!
Dieses buch ist sehr gefühlvoll geschrieben. Die Natur und das Meer ist wundervoll beschrieben. Dieses buch ist für alle die Spannung und Australien lieben!
Dieses buch ist sehr gefühlvoll geschrieben. Die Natur und das Meer ist wundervoll beschrieben. Dieses buch ist für alle die Spannung und Australien lieben!
July 27, 2012
From my review in the New Statesman:
"The episodic nature of this long novel about a family’s fortunes can sometimes recall such Victorian dramas as The Newcomes, but whereas Thackeray’s characters demonstrated the slow, weighty effects of empire and society, Alex and Merridy live in a time seemingly absent of larger forces. The emphasis shifts uneasily between inner lives minutely recorded and the places and experiences that surround them. Events occur not exactly in isolation, but their relationship to one another is mostly chronological: some have consequences, others don’t, and coincidence is never far away."
Read the whole thing at http://www.newstatesman.com/books/200...
"The episodic nature of this long novel about a family’s fortunes can sometimes recall such Victorian dramas as The Newcomes, but whereas Thackeray’s characters demonstrated the slow, weighty effects of empire and society, Alex and Merridy live in a time seemingly absent of larger forces. The emphasis shifts uneasily between inner lives minutely recorded and the places and experiences that surround them. Events occur not exactly in isolation, but their relationship to one another is mostly chronological: some have consequences, others don’t, and coincidence is never far away."
Read the whole thing at http://www.newstatesman.com/books/200...
May 12, 2017
Nicholas Shakespeare is my favourite author - sadly not too prolific in recent years.
I have read Secrets of the Sea a couple of times, and always I find more in it than I remember from the previous time - and bizarrely I had forgotten the ending (memory's going).
Shakespeare explores the depths and shallowness of human nature and brings characters together in a most believable, interesting and superbly written way.
Love it.
I have read Secrets of the Sea a couple of times, and always I find more in it than I remember from the previous time - and bizarrely I had forgotten the ending (memory's going).
Shakespeare explores the depths and shallowness of human nature and brings characters together in a most believable, interesting and superbly written way.
Love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2011
This story is set in Tasmania and follows the life of a young couple struggling to make the family farm profitable. I really enjoyed the book, however, at times the story seemed to be a bit disjointed. It reminded me a bit of Tim Winton's book "Shallows"- mostly the main female character and the story location.
December 21, 2013
A really good book - took a while to get into it but the plot is quite unusual, so is the setting "Tasmania". All characters are skilfully described and introduced in the story in unexpected circumstances. I probably did not fully capture the depth of the writing as vocabulary used is quite unusual/nautical.
March 17, 2017
This author's writing style was difficult at times but it was a mostly a good read. The setting, Tasmania, was interesting. There were elements of a love story, heartbreak and loss. The setting including life in a small rural village where people are involved in farming or the ocean. Mostly, the story is quite sad. There was an unsatisfying ending which was a disappointment.
July 29, 2011
this was an amazing book. absolutely loved it! beautiful writing, captivating story line, one of those books that i bit into and couldn't let go of. i'm always so happy when i find new authors i like who have already written other books... i've got this guy's next one already lined up in my queue.
April 4, 2012
I liked this book. It was slow to start, but I haven't been to Australia. Most of my Australian knowledge comes from Crocodile Dundee. Thank goodness I know I'm a Sheila so when I go to the Outback I choose the right restroom. Anyway, good story. Took a little while to get going.
May 22, 2015
Feel that I just visited Tasmania. Took me a bit to get into the style but ended up really engrossed. Love story, a woman entrepreneur growing oysters, ship wreck, a farm,...all elements I enjoyed. A sleeper.
October 20, 2024
Rather abstruse
I enjoyed the pace, the character development and the setting. The neuroticism of the characters made me wonder if they had any higher level of function. As Professor Higgins said: “ Cotton, hay and rags.”
I enjoyed the pace, the character development and the setting. The neuroticism of the characters made me wonder if they had any higher level of function. As Professor Higgins said: “ Cotton, hay and rags.”
March 11, 2009
This was a bookclub selection. The pace was slow, perhaps like the location. The conclusion (by an overwhelmingly Brit audiance)? Poorly executed and boring, like Tasmania. Hey, I kinda liked it!
October 27, 2009
This book explores the dynamics of small-town life in Tazmania. I never tire of reading about the social dynamics of rural communities.
March 4, 2010
Interesting tale in Tasmania; He wrote The Dancer Upstairs
August 4, 2011
A bit cheesy but a fun beach read after visiting Tasmania.
May 10, 2012
A good read. The characters are very human (read: falible!) which can be frustrating but it's interesting to see where their good and bad decisions take them. Lovely to read a book set in Tassie.
August 20, 2012
I really enjoyed this book which I read while in Maine, the perfect beach/vacation read. Unique, interesting story line and characters.
November 22, 2013
Very satisfying.
August 10, 2015
Well written and interestimg read. I kept thinking it was set earlier, not 2004 probably due to,the farming lifestyle and locations. Found the endomg a bit confusing amd rushed.
January 26, 2016
I don't think I have read any Nicholas Shakespeare before, but I really enjoyed this. Great Tasmanian setting and very interesting characters. A perfect read for the Australia Day long weekend.
Read
July 25, 2016Wonderful setting, intricate characters in difficult relationships, each with human flaws and hidden dreams. Loved this book.
July 18, 2020
Beautiful, and wonderful. I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews