Sail Upon the Land

by Josa Young

What happens when two fractured families collide in the dynamic social landscape of the last eighty years?

An accidental inheritance changes everything for an insecure young man.

The mysterious death of a new mother damages the precious continuity of family love.

And a gap-year student's misguided romance ends in life-changing disaster. Or does it?

SARAH
Is the courage she displays during WWII enough to carry her through a long life of love and loss?

MELISSA
Living in her own fairytale, will she find the strength she needs to survive reality?

DAMSON
Rejecting her background following an appalling ordeal, can this driven young woman ever find her way home?

MELLITA
Who is she really, and will she deliver the one precious gift that will heal all their wounds?

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Family, Drama

406 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

Previously known as Josa Young, Josa Keyes has reverted to her maiden name as of July 2018 for all purposes.

One Apple Tasted and Sail Upon the Land are now out as audio books, read by actor Richard Trinder - send a message if you'd like to review.

A Vogue Talent Contest finalist while still at Cambridge University, she has worked as an editor and writer for Vogue, Country Living, the Times and many other broadsheets and glossies.

She began producing digital content in 1995, which led to a career shift from paper to digital. She started blogging in 2000 (before it was called blogging), and adopted social media in 2007. She is now a content designer working for big brands and gov.uk.

Her first novel, One Apple Tasted, was published in 2009 by Elliot & Thompson. The second, Sail Upon the Land, was long-listed for the Historical Novel Society prize in 2015. My Love Life & Other Disasters, a collection of poems, was published 1 June 2021.

In 2019, she achieved Distinction and the Faculty Outstanding Dissertation Prize for her Creative Writing Master's from Brunel University London, supervised by Booker winner Bernardine Evaristo. Previously, for her Oxbridge entrance exam, she was tutored by Penelope Fitzgerald who won the Booker in 1979. She correctly predicted Bernardine would win exactly 40 years later.

She lives in London where she performs her poetry.

Find out more at www.josakeyes.co.uk

Follow her tweets @JosaKeyes

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sail Upon the Land is an emotionally charged multi-generational saga spanning 80 years.

It tells the story of 4 women, the traumas that they face, the decisions they make. It examines the bonds and the rifts between mothers and daughters and details the intricate nature of the relationship.

But let me assure you that this is no light and fluffy chic lit. Neither could it be classed as feminist. It is a beautifully written book of brutal honesty. Author Josa Young writes with a raw passion that addresses rape and mental illness amongst other subjects.

If I had to use just one word to describe Sail Upon the Land, it would be precious. I really did not want to let it go after finishing reading it. It is a book that I look forward to rereading and will be stored with the perennial favorites on my shelf.

Thank you to Keyes Ink via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Sail Upon the Land by Josa Young for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Taylor Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sail Upon the Land follows the female lineage of a family through rotating narratives that leave the reader spellbound. I was utterly captivated by Josa Young's ability to create so many powerful, familiar, heart-wrenching characters that leached onto my heart. The stories of these mothers and daughters - Sarah, Melissa, Dawson, and Letta - are so important and speak to how hard being a woman in all time periods can be and how difficult some decisions can be. It spoke to serious taboo issues of sexual assault and mental illness and how a woman's reaction to these issues can change so much about her.

I was incredibly moved by the achingly beautiful story and highly recommend this book.

Although I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway, this is my honest opinion of Sail Upon the Land.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sail upon the Land is a multi generational family saga which, with great perception and insight, spans over eighty years and allows the stories of four very different women to be heard. From crumbling stately mansions in middle England, to the neglected splendour of an abandoned Indian hill station, a story of a family in turmoil starts to unfold. And, as the all too complex relationship between mothers and their daughters is opened up to scrutiny, it shows just how tragically the bonds of motherhood can be eroded by secrets and lies. There’s heartbreak, tragedy, and despair but also a perceptive understanding of human nature which is beautifully observed, and so realistically evoked, that I had to remind myself, whilst reading, that this was indeed fiction and not fact.

Seamlessly moving between past and present, the author conjures a bygone time with ease and as the story flits between time frames, a picture emerges of lives ruined by secrets and overshadowed by hopelessness .There is no doubt that the author has a skill for storytelling and is able to layer the story so logically that everything becomes real in the imagination. I found that I had rather more sympathy for some characters over others, and there’s one in particular who holds a special place in my heart. I was quite sorry when the story came to its conclusion as I so easily could have continued reading about this family forever.

Overall, I thought this was a fascinating story and I am so looking forward to seeing what this talented writer comes up with next.

[Jane Pepler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book, with some great writing about four generations of women and how they live their lives in the twentieth century. The book flows so well and is compulsive reading. I really identified with all the characters and felt passionately about what happened to them. The writing was gritty and real, particularly the parts concerned with birth and motherhood and women's vulnerabilities at these important times in their lives. The subject matter covered in this book is wide and ranges from the frippery and frivolity of the coming out of debutantes to rape and puerperal psychosis. All of this is told in such a convincing, authoritative narrative.
The book starts with Damson, who is raped and flees India to Cambridge to begin her training as a doctor and hopefully put the whole experience behind her. After this we return to the 1930's to begin the family saga of Sarah, Melissa, Damson and Melitta.
I am really looking forward to reading Josa Young's first book - One Apple Tasted - and look forward to further offerings from this author, I am delighted to have discovered her.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Sail Upon the Land' follows four generations of women in an aristocratic family from 1938 to 2009. It opens with a rape scene, which disconcerted me but thankfully was not detailed or lengthy. The subsequent narrative depicts constraints, challenges, and joys experienced by women in successive generations. It's interesting to trace how the impact of aristocratic privilege changes as the years pass and class is a particularly strong theme. I particularly enjoyed the scenes of debutante balls, which included vivid details and examined the characters' ambivalent feelings about the tradition. Indeed, there is a lovely wealth of material details throughout that gives the historical settings texture. I do like it when clothing and grooming are as carefully described as they are here.

Generational changes in marriage and motherhood are also major themes. Maternity is depicted both as joyful and as placing intense strain on mothers' mental and physical health. I found 'Sail Upon the Land' an involving and moving family saga. Although the chapters in India didn't have the same vividness as those in England, the family dynamics and performances of femininity across the 20th century are incisively observed and make for a compelling read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sail Upon the Land tells of four generations of driven women who each face a life-changing decision over the course of an eighty-year time frame, and its lively story of different disasters and accompanying choices succeeds in drawing readers into a sweeping saga replete with struggles for survival.

Despite being warned by others who perceive Ronny for his true shallowness and danger, Damson falls into his arms - and into a mess… because it's India, where women have no ability to call rape and prosecute… because she was flirting with Ronny and is in an isolated area with few support systems. And because she escapes, new possibilities are born for new generations.

It's this flow between generations which is the powerful draw of Sail Upon the Land, which deftly captures and weaves together the results of actions, choices, and positive and negative life experience. It follows Damson's 1980s disastrous romance and moves neatly between generations and experiences, from her grandmother's 1930s world to her mother's 1960s world, World War II, and modern times.

Under a different approach this multi-generational exploration could have become confusing; but the fact that chapter headings include not only protagonist names but eras means that there is no hesitation; no cause for mixing up the different times and women. And in a saga that flows between such eras, that's important.

Motherhood, action and reaction, and evolving relationships connected by family and past patterns: it's all here in Sail Upon the Land, especially recommended for readers seeking strong female protagonists and linked family connections.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Josa Young and I certainly look forward to reading more.

Sail Upon The Land is a story that spans over 80 years following four generations of women.

The author has done a wonderful job with this book, it is beautifully written and the descriptions of some scenes make the reader feel that they are almost part of the story.

Sarah, Melissa, Damson and Mellita are women who most readers will be able to identify with. My favourite characters were Sarah and Damson as I loved the strength they portrayed in this story. Sail Upon The Land is a tale of tragedy, love, suffering and strength. It takes you on a journey over time, through different eras so the reader can see the mentality of people regarding certain issues which now a days is very common but in those days were very much frowned upon.

After the amount of thrillers I've been reading lately, Sail Upon The Land was a pleasant change in genre. This is one book I would certainly recommend to any friends and family and I will be adding the authors other book One Apple Tasted to my to read list.

Many thanks to the author for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Sail Upon the Land follows four women through the generations, over a period of 80 years. Josa Young carefully weaves in stories of love, hate and tragedy, and how these shape the lives of each generation. She addresses the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, as well as issues such as rape, abortion, birth defects, mental illness and abandonment.

The book is written with vivid descriptions of each time period, ranging from the 1930s to the present day. Each character had their individual strengths and weakness. Sarah, the matriarch of the family, had the most resilience. Melissa is the fragile one, while Damson has the most determination. The character I liked the least was Mellita, but this may be because her character didn't get enough page space to develop fully.

The book begins and ends with the story of Damson, which made the book come full circle and seem complete. Overall, this is a powerful family saga and I hope to read Josa Young's previous book, One Apple Tasted, in due course.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not very good at reviews. I think that someone smarter than me has already written a summary so no one needs to read another. I'll say that I really enjoyed this book. The story of 3 women, 3 mothers, and their experience with men and social expectations and maternity. Not everyone is cut out to be a parent. Not everyone 'bounces back'. Not everyone responds well to the hormones that come and go. I really liked Damson and her struggles and conflicts. I felt terrible that she kept herself so removed from people and real relationships. Although, her mom was gone and step-mother wasn't really interested in mothering her, father was interested in step-mother, step sisters were completely absorbs in their own thing, she lost faith in all men because of her limited experience (which was horrible!!!), she didn't want to disappoint her grandparents. My heart just ached for her loneliness. The full-circle bit was perfect. Good job.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this ebook a few years ago and couldn't remember what it was about - glancing at the title before I started it I assumed it was about boats! Turns out it is a wonderful multi-generational saga, really well-written and addictive to read. It's a pity she hasn't written anything else since this was published in 2014.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review will contain SPOILERS after the first few overview paragraphs. I'm not hiding the entire review as I want my overview to be read, but I will have a break and clearly mark the beginning of the spoilers :D

OVERVIEW

I was graced with the chance to read this for free by the author. It's my first free/first reads type of book, and I was really worried going into it that it would be some flippant fluffy junk and I would have to give a bad review. The first bit, with Sarah and the war and her meeting Arthur, worried me that it was going to be that sort of book. But that's not true at all, because Sarah and Arthur and their loving, relatively normal relationship, sort of provide a backdrop for the successive generations of their family.

This book, at its heart, is about resilience in the face of various adversities, be them external or internal, and how different people deal with pain or guilt. Some people try to hide it, some people soldier through and bury it, some people seek help and recover.

The book also, from its title page, deals deeply and movingly with childbirth and motherhood, in a real, unflinching way, that I find to be refreshing and rare. Due to the fact that there are several generations of women, dealing with the same thing ( pregnancy and birth) at different times, you get a book that deals with many of the various ways that women react to motherhood. No woman is the same. Some are thrilled, some have difficulties, some have children with handicaps, and some adopt, abort or abandon. I have never read a book that dealt with many of those views, and especially not so well and so emotionally.

When I grow older, I hope I have the resilience of Sarah, who is my new literary heroine. Her quiet courage in the face of so much inspires me.




SPOILERS BEGIN NOW







SPOILERS COMING








SPOILERS










The character I think is written most beautifully, and movingly, is Melissa. She starts as a child with a handicap, mostly cured but always haunted by her ankle and it's imperfection. She has emotional highs and lows, maybe higher than some, but that's to be expected for a teen of the 60's, correct? It's an emotional time for everyone. But hers are a little higher and lower than some, and probably in a world of today she'd be classified as maybe Manic-Depressive or Borderline Personality Disorder. But it's the 60's, and none of that is known well, if known at all. Then she becomes pregnant. Now not every woman with mental issues will develop Post Partum Depression. It strikes all its victims indiscriminately, and it strikes poor Melissa. It's 1968 and very little is known about "women's issues". She's left untreated, and in her mind, she's a horrible, nasty, unloving and unlovable wreck.

She leaves behind her daughter Damson, who I liked immediately. She's a reader when other girls are discussing fashion or boys, and she's more worried about her grades than her Deb dances. My kind of person all around. Damson gets raped. My first real ire at the book and the author, is when Damson blames herself for the rape. I wanted to scream NO NO, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, YOU CAN FLIRT AND ITS DOESN'T MAKE RAPE OK!!! But then I calmed down as I realized that the book was at this point set in the 80's, in India and even today that attitude is felt by and towards rape victims, so of course it probably was even worse then. Poor Damson and her attempts to bury her femininity are painful to read, but I realize they are a common coping symptom of rape victims, and the issue is explored in an emotional way, that helped someone like me, who has never walked that road, have more sympathy than ever for the way a victim heals.

Then Damson gets pregnant, and debates abortion. I'm pro-life and I almost got irritated again, but I realized that the book would necessarily have to end if she went through with the abortion, and since I was only a little over half way through, I figured she would choose to have the child, and she did.

I am glad that towards the end of the novel, Damson starts to heal from her loss and pain, and meets her daughter Leeta, and finds some happiness in her life. Secrets come out, and healing begins, which goes to show you, that love and support are what are needed in a life, not secrets and lies. I wish that Damson had confessed to Leeta that she was a child of rape, but I understand that Damson was too afraid of losing Leeta to drop such an emotional bomb on her while she was in an emotional state

I would love a sequel someday, maybe perhaps Hari can grow up, and claim his Indian inheritance and work through what his grandfather did to his grandmother, what the Indian rape culture does to women daily, and how he feels about his abandonment by his mother?

[Manuela Melo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should say I bought this book because it was in sale, and it seemed to talk about women. I am very interested in literature written by women telling women stories because we were somehow erased from history and as a feminist, I encourage myself to read women, more and more.

I started reading this book because it was in my kindle and I had no internet connection to buy any other books. I was in a plane. The first 20% I didn't like. I don't know if it was because it's historical fiction, or because of the upper-class english white aristocracy or why else, but I disliked it enought to decide to stop reading.

I then had no option because there were still a few hours in my flight and I gave it another chance. It got me. I liked it. It was interesting to see history told by women's perspective. The story of a family throughout the years in England. I was trying to go off the european- american scenariums, to decolonize my reading and I've just finished reading chimamanda adichie, and she's african (Nigerian), feminist and black so maybe I was a little too unpatient with the author of this book for her lack of background to talk about certain things.

But I could say it is a feminist book. I'm not exactly sure because I don't know if she is pro choice. This is important because she mentions abortion in the book, she also mentions rape and giving up children for adoption. I needed to know if it was her intention to tell the stories of women who suffer through this things or end up with a final lesson that we shouldn't leave our childs. When damson thought about abortion, she did comment she used to be against it and now she regretted being so judgemental. But that's the only positioning in the book about it. I missed a more strong positioning about women's having the right to own their bodies and their stories.

That aside, I really enjoy the book as it treats about abortion, maternity, growing old, rape, trauma, mental illness, depression, adoption. It somehow criticizes the way of life of the aristocracy, caring too much about appearances.

In the end, that's a book that brought me up a lot of emotions and which story is well written and creative. I recommend it.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully English! Skillfully written with impressive attention to detail. The author seems to have extensive knowledge of history and period detail, fashion, English social classes and society, as well as Indian culture. She also possesses an exceptional ability to realistically yet sensitively portray widely variable mothering experiences.

It's hard to say too much about the story or characters without giving too many spoilers, but I'll try: Basically, it's a multigenerational saga that spans from 1930s to present-day England, chronicling the lives of four generations of women and their mothering experiences, and how they all tie in with one another. There is joy, distress, love, devastation, and finally, redemption—for some. For others, not so much. Subjects like rape, abortion, adoption, postpartum depression, and various types of family strains are handled delicately but realistically.

I wanted a bit more depth to some of the characters. I didn't understand fully why some of them did the things they did. And the ending was very sudden and abrupt, with—for my taste—too many unanswered questions about particular characters. Perhaps there will be a sequel? I would definitely read it.

Overall, the book was beautifully written, full of wonderfully delicious prose that delighted me all throughout. Such a pleasant surprise for a free book offering; up until now, I'd never read one that turned out to be professionally written, or even very good at all. This one outshines many full-price books I've read. I must say, the cover art is lovely, too—it stood out from all the other free book offerings, leading to my wanting to download it and give it a try.

If you're concerned about sexual content, this book is clean. There are allusions to sex, but nothing detailed or explicit. If you're comfortable watching Downton Abbey, then you'll be okay with this book.

[Museofnyxmares · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly gifted “Sail upon the Land” for review by the author and can honestly say that this book was sublime. From the characters to the plot and all that’s in between as each element was crafted with such fine detail, inevitably making the book come to life.

Josa Young makes you feel like a fly on the wall as you observe a family of 4 generations of women. It’s almost as if you’re witnessing the family history play out right before your eyes. As the book travels back and forth in time, Young shows extreme skill that cannot be ignored in how seamlessly past and present connect.

This novel was particularly interesting in the way that the men in the novel took a noticeable back seat. I feel that this gave the strong effect of capturing the power of the women, as the reader sees the trials and tribulations women go through with men sometimes being none the wiser. Mother Hood is a prime example of the strength and struggle of woman as we see in a raw and touching way how it isn’t at all plain sailing.

View full review on my blog : http://themadt-party.blogspot.co.uk/2...

[MetLineReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book which covered four generations of the same family. If I had any complaints I think there could have been more depth to the other 3 women as it really was Damson's story. I also found the later chapters to be written in a different style (yes, I know there were different voices) but it just seemed so different from the others, with a smattering of humour thrown in. That's not to say I didn't like it but jarred slightly with the earlier more uptight characters (perhaps that was the point!!). Great book, engaging characters and very believable (although I would have been much more cynical than Damson!!) that even made me shed a tear at one point...
Overall I was expecting more of a "saga" but an enjoyable read.

[J. A. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading six books in a row that were mediocre at best, I came upon this gem. Starting in 1938, this story spans across 4 generations of women in the same family. We aren't bombarded with every detail about these women, but their story is told in pieces of their youth and then adult lives. Each one has some difficulty with their mother/daughter relationship. Ms. Young's writing is rich in detail. While you aren't shown everything that happened to each of these women, you know them despite of it. The last chapter or two ties up loose ends on one of the missing pieces of the story. I can't remember when I've read a story that so captivated me and held my attention from beginning to end. Hope to see more of this author in the future.

[Clare Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I started reading Sail Upon the Land I was hooked. Josa Young has an ability to draw the reader into the story and keep you there. The writing seems effortless and is engaging and vivid.

The book tells the tale of several generations of one family through its women and is a fascinating study of the complex relationships between mothers and daughters. Ranging from the 1930s to the present day, Young creates a vivid and memorable narrative. What struck me most was how she managed to deal with often difficult topics in a style that was always as light and fizzy as a glass of champagne.

Highly recommended!

[Teena Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue of this book starts in India with the rape of Damson a sheltered young woman. From there it takes us back to the 1930's and traces forward through four generations of English women ending with Damson. The superb writing and the sensitive treatment of real life circumstances such as depression, being born with physical challenges, pregnancies out of wedlock and even inheriting property and title with no funds for upkeep all make this story intriguing. I think Ms. Young has done a superb job and I look forward to reading more stories by her. I give this woman’s fiction five out of five stars.

[Kathe Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sail Upon the Land by Josa Young
Sail Upon the Land is a multi-generational family saga spanning 80 years and portrays the story of four women and the choices they make that affect their lives forever. It is about complex relationships between mothers and daughters and is full of drama, pain, suffering, steadfastness and ultimately redemption. I absolutely loved this book and for $.93 (US and India) you can’t go wrong. I did not want to put it down and read it in one setting all 400 pages.

[Irene MacFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relationships intricately woven over time

This novel succeeds in telling a family history with intelligence, strength, and compassion across generations, despite expectations, and in the faces of various fears. The voice of each chapter provides depth and clarity with use of a rich vocabulary which also defines aspects of daily life and times pertinent to each particular generation.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will undoubtedly appeal predominantly to women, but it is far too good to be clumped in with the usual frothy, frivolous chick-lit. It's a really enjoyable read, which often had me wanting to reach into the book to give the characters a much-needed hug !

full review on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot...

[Linda Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Josh Young is a remarkable writer and I found that I got so involved with each character as I read about their lives, that I didn't want to let them go and move onto the next chapter. The way she wove them all together at the end was superb. I will look for more of her work. A high recommend.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely one of the better free books I've gotten off BookBub. (I do find that historical/multi-era fiction tends to be a pretty good choice from that service.) The multi-generational story is engaging and unusual, and the characters are complex. I don't want to give away anything about the plot, so I'll just leave it at that.

[Phyllis Runyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This covers four generations of women from WWII to the present time. You don't really know where it's going until the last part of the book where everything comes together. It takes place in India and England. It is well written and touches on post partum psychosis which is still too often missed. Highly recommended.

[Pamela Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

The layers of this novel were well thought out and complex. There was raw emotion, real life characters, and an excellent glimpse into the unfolding story of generations and life. As a mother I could truly relate to the characters experiences, and rode the waves of pleasure and pain love and loss along with them. This was a beautifully written book.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I am a HUGE sucker for multigenerational novels (who doesn't want to find out what happens to a character they grow to love?) so that was what initially drew me in. But I really felt like I got to know the characters- especially Damson who I loved. I felt like the story was intriguing without feeling forced or fake.

[Dana Proffet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure at the beginning but...

The beginning of this book almost made me quit. But I kept on and by the end was glad I did. It turned out to be a very touching story about several generations of a family and how one Churchill ultimately affect everyone whether they mean too or not.

[DonnaJo Pallini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book. I was captivated by how much the author described the scenes and each time period. I was a little overwhelmed by all the British terms and nuances but would definitely recommend this book.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tale about four generations of women who all face their own trials and tribulations along the way. Their stories draw you into their lives, their loves and the hardships they face throughout their lives.
It is beautifully written and a pleasure to read.

[Linda Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

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