Song of the Sea

by Jane Dolby

The touching story of Jane Dolby and The Fishwives Choir, uniting fishing communities around the UK. Jane tells how she fell in love with a fisherman, leading her to find a place in a traditional British world that many have forgotten. A friendship with Colin, her shy yet kind neighbor, develops into something more. Their first kiss takes place at sea and the rhythms of the fishing community become part of Jane's life. Together, they marry and build a family. But then Jane faces the loss every fisherman's wife fears: the disappearance of her husband when his boat overturns at sea. As Jane struggles with her grief, she must fight to keep a roof over her family's heads, as she clashes with the faceless officials who demand proof of a death she cannot provide. In time, she triumphs, building a legal case to settle his affairs, as well as rebuilding a life for her and their children. She tells of the kindness of friends and strangers, as the fishing world rallies around one of their own, and the importance of her own Christian faith. Over time, this remarkable woman forms a plan to give something back to the community that has helped her, founding The FishWives' Choir, in the style of the Military Wives. Bringing together 80 women from fishing communities up and down the country to release a charity single, Jane gives a voice to women previously unheard and finds herself thrust into the national spotlight. And, after years in which grief stole her ability to sing, she finds her own voice again. Woven throughout Jane's words will be the stories of the women who come together from around the country to join the choir, and their own experiences of being the wives, daughters, and mothers of fishermen—the most dangerous peacetime occupation that exists.

Genres: Nonfiction

301 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2015

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Song Of The Sea is the heartfelt and true story of Jane Dolby who lost her beloved husband Colin whilst at sea doing his job as a fisherman.

Jane’s story starts when she is a single mum of two boys and searching for somewhere to live. She happens to come across a quaint cottage near the sea. At that point she has no idea how much moving there will have such a huge impact on her life.

Having settled in she starts to get acquainted with her neighbours. One of her neighbours Ken, has a son called Colin, who comes by quite often and it isn’t long before Jane starts to fall for him.

What I love about Jane’s book is that it isn’t just about the love she has for Colin and the pain and loss she has gone through since losing him, but also the fantastic community spirit of how people come together in others hours of need.

Jane talks about how people would bring food to her door or post shopping vouchers through her letterbox. She has so much support it was just so touching. Sadly as usual the big corporate companies are the ones she has to battle with after Colin’s death. Due to his body not being found at the time that he went missing, any bills that were in his name still counted, as without a death certificate there was nothing they could do. My heart went out to Jane and her children, as to lose a much loved member of the family isn’t horrendous enough, but then to have to have the added worry of financial trouble also was just awful.

You can’t help but love Jane’s spirit, where as most of us would just sit back and take all the rubbish that life throws at us, she stood up against it and fought for some good to come from her tragedy as well as the many tragedies of other fisherman’s wives. Did you know that one in twenty fisherman sadly die through their job? I didn’t until I read this book and it really shocked me at how many lose their lives and how dangerous a job it is.

To raise awareness, Jane decides to set up a choir to hopefully raise much needed funds for the wives that are sadly left behind and like Jane, face financial struggles. After the generosity of others when she was struggling, she wants to be able to give back to the support networks that also helped her.

It was so heartwarming seeing all these women from all over the UK that have links to the fishing industry, come together to give their support for this great cause. Unfortunately with everyone being so wide spread, it did cause some issues for rehearsals.

Song Of The Sea is an emotional story that really opened my eyes. Jane really has her work cut out trying to organise things for the choir and I can’t believe that even for a charity single, the costs that are still incurred. This is very much a story of love, loss, friendships and the amazing support of some truly inspirational people.

My thanks to Sally for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane is 31 when she finds herself renting 'fisherman's cottage' in Leigh-on-Sea, a single mum raising her sons, but she didn't immediately recognise the impact this move would have on her life. Slowly falling in love with a quiet, shy, fisherman called Colin, Jane finds happiness and love like never before, learning more from this man and the fishing community than she ever thought possible. But when the sea that Colin loves claims his life, Jane struggles with her grief, as well as the financial implications for those who are left behind when someone is lost at sea. While singing had always been a constant presence in her life, with Colin's death, she lost her voice and became someone else, no longer recognising herself. This is her story of love, loss, and hope in what became an inspiration around the UK & Ireland - The Fishwives Choir - as Jane and her fellow fishwives make their voices heard and help those who looked after them during their darkest times.

I rarely review non-fiction but when I got the opportunity to review this book I could not pass it up. Hauntingly honest, heartbreaking, and emotional I cannot tell you how many tissues I went through while reading SONG OF THE SEA, as Jane lays her soul bare for everyone to see. But this book also offers moments of laughter (particularly the pants comment at BBC studios), a raw and honest portrayal of loss from someone who lives it, and most of all hope - hope that there is a chink of light somewhere in the darkness, in the future, where you will find a new, albeit different path. The strength and passion that The Fishwives Choir display is inspiring and their music really takes you to a different place. SONG OF THE SEA by Jane Dolby is a book that has touched my soul and inspires me to live each day for the moment and reach for the stars.

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author

[Shell Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song Of The Sea is a memoir which I couldn't wait to get stuck into. I love a true story and OMG what a beautiful written, stunning piece of work this book is.

This story has totally blown me away,I actually have a lump in my throat trying to put my feelings for this moving story into words...That's the effect it has had on me!

You cannot help but feel the pain and heartache of this woman's love and loss. Jane Dolby has wrote a story from the heart that will pull on your heartstrings and take you through a whirlwind of emotions Telling a story of bereavement and triumph. Which will make you smile and cry it is certainly a tear jerker. Yes you will need your tissues for this one. You can actually feel the emotions Jane goes through with her beautiful writing skills.

She is one incredible lady putting her story into words describing how she fell in love with Colin who was a local fisherman in her home town. Then one day she faces the loss of her husband at sea. And how she fights to keep a roof over her family's head while struggling with her grief. Then triumphs by finding her voice and bringing together 40 women from fishing communities to form The Fishwives Choir. I totally take my hat off her her.

What more can I say but this book is incredible I flipping loved every single page it and devoured it in one afternoon.

I cannot recommend it enough giving it 5 well deserved stars.

Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab book, sad in parts worth a read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane’s story is one that is full of emotion; grief, despair, frustration but also warmth, unexpected hope, joy and love. As a member of the Fishwives Choir, I had an understanding of the events that had unfolded but by reading Jane’s beautifully written account, which was honest and open about all the aspects of losing a loved one at sea; how utterly dark those days must have been. Yet Jane’s naturally spirited and positive nature shines through; her sense of humour and her determination to find the good is inspirational. Learning about the Fisherman’s Mission and the hope and support it can give to people in times of tragedy has been enlightening too. How amazing it is that music can bring a passion and light that can guide people through the toughest of times. Have the tissues ready!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read the most amazing book. "Song of the sea" by Jane Dolby

Jane Dolby fell in love with a fisherman when she was least expecting it. Life was good until she faced the thing that every wife faces – the death of her husband. However, unfortunately for Jane, her husband Colin was lost at sea and his body was not discovered for 9 agonising months. During this time Jane struggled not only with her grief but struggled financially as well. This is where the Fisherman’s Mission stepped in.
To thank the Fisherman’s Missions, Jane decided to set up a choir involving other women whose men folk are in the fishing industry to record a charity CD to sell down the pub to raise a couple of hundred pounds for this good cause – The Fishwives Choir was born.
Song of the sea is the powerful and emotional journey of one woman through love, loss and how music can help people find their voice again after tragedy.
This is an amazing book which I urge everyone to read – I can guarantee that everyone who reads it will be moved by it.

You hear more of their story on the Radio 4 program "The Fishwives Tale" which is available on iplayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05qfj1c

[Katt Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, heartfelt story. I picked it up and didn’t want to put it down again. A strong, courageous woman who reaches out in a time of tragedy and lights up everyone around hers life. So glad she decided to put her story into words.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros: it was enjoyable to read - heartwarming in the good times, and touching in the hard times. It's a true story, and that makes Jane's dedication even more inspiring. I like the way music is woven throughout the story, and the way the whole Fishwives choir came to be, their mission, and how they were able to reach out to others. This is not marketed as a Christian book, but the author is a christian and her faith comes through in the difficult time. It shows the power of love, and the way music can change lives. I'm glad to have read it, and it was also great to be able to go on YouTube and watch the music talked about in the book.

Cons: there's some language, and faulty reasoning about sharing a bed before marriage.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One in 20 fishermen will be seriously injured or lose their lives at work; statistically it is the most dangerous job in the world in peacetime"

I loved this book. As a member of a Military Wives Choir myself, when I found out about the existence of the Fishwives Choir I was keen to know the back story. Jane writes openly and honestly about her relationship with her husband Colin, his death and the aftermath. She talks about her darkest days and how music and the idea to start the choir helped her to move forward. Jane comes across as a tremendously brave and strong woman who was able to highlight the work of the Fisherman's Mission and the dangers fishermen face on a daily basis to provide something which many of us take for granted - the fish on our plates.

I also love that she encourages people to join a local choir in the epilogue. My personal experience is that a choir can help to drag you out of a dark place, whether from loss or something else. "It's not all about hitting the right notes...it's really about the lovely social interaction". Stories like Jane's show that there is always a way forward, always a way to make the best out of circumstances and this message is Colin's real legacy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just happened to spot this book on a library display and was drawn to it immediately. I’ve always been interested in the Military Wives choir (I’m an ex-chorister myself, and, due to where I live, I have several friends who are army wives), and this has distinct parallels with their stories. It’s sad, emotional and uplifting all at the same time, and beautifully written. I am, however, slightly embarrassed to say I had never heard of The Fishwives Choir until I read this book, despite all the media attention they must have had at the time. Oops!

[Sarah Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read . A sad story but a very positive outcome. She reinforces my sentiments that good can come out of most tragedy s .
A very easy read a take on holiday read that does not challenge you and just flows.

Colin has died his body not found , presumed lost at sea. Jane not only find herself widowed but also faces unbelievable hardships because no death certificate can be issued and she cannot access their bank accounts however she overcomes this and forms a choir of Fishermans wives

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story. If you are looking to feel good following this election cycle then this book will do it. I read it slowly as I didn't want to lose the great feeling I had after each chapter. Janes story is one of overcoming hardship, almost losing it all and finding hope in the most unexpected place.
Loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant! I loved this book from the moment I picked it up and found it hard to put down. Beautifully written, it tells the heart rending story of one family's tragedy and how Jane overcame her own grief to accomplish an amazing feat to help the Fisherman's Mission.

[Christine Busuttil · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biography
I learnt about certain aspects of the fishing community,grief,and setting up a choir
And for her honesty and unpitying honest style I give her 4 stars

[Pugsie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can see from other reviewers that their opinions have been affected by this tragic true story about a woman's life as a widower, but I am reviewing the writing, not the story. I acknowledge the true story, I understand the grief and the tough times, but this story might have done better as a story in a magazine rather than a 300 pages long book.

The first third of the book is about life with Colin, the man who later is lost at sea. It is romantic, it builds up nicely, the story is moving forward and the writing is pretty good. There are some parts where information is left out, such as "which he discovered later", but it does not disrupt the overall story.

Two thirds in the man dies, or rather Colin is lost at sea, and we follow Jane as she struggles in life. It is literally chapter after chapter with information about how hard it was to cancel his contracts (phone, credit card, electricity, water, etc), how money was tight since he was the only one working and how kind people were. There is a lot of complaining, and I can not put myself in the situation but it really just seemed like a lot of complaining. She managed to collect information about Colin's "death" (lost at sea) to prove he is gone and then she was able to cancel all his things. That was interesting. (Not really.)

Starting at the last part of the book, the police (or someone) found Colin's body and everything started all over again. The grieving, the funeral and explaining everything to the children. I had to stop. It felt like word-puke. I lost focus and could not remember what I had just read. This is the first book I have picked up and not finished, forcing me to create a did-not-finish shelf on Goodreads.

At least it got the honor to be the first on that shelf!

This format for said story did not work very well. I have not read a lot of biographies, perhaps this is why, but I do not think this book is worth reading.

I'm sorry about your loss, Jane.