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The House by the Marsh
One morning just before lunch, Caroline stopped breathing. Bereft and alone, a small madness fell upon William. Fleeing to his flat in London, he locked himself away and grew a beard. Some months later, whilst reluctantly attending a dinner party, William saw her, and felt that perhaps Providence had plans for him after all. Jennifer, however, saw things differently.Quite by chance, although nothing is by chance, William came to live in Suffolk, in the house by the marsh, and here a sense of ease slowly enveloped him. With each ebbing of the tide, his madness seemed to diminish. And yes, Providence did have other plans for him, plans which set tongues wagging in the village. But some saw the deep sadness that William carried, and they opened their arms to him, challenging preconceptions of love, friendship and community.The House by the Marsh by William Blyghton lays bare the almost taboo subjects of grief, love and hope for men and women in their later years. With humour and compassion the author peels back the defensive layers of apparent competence to reveal a vulnerable humanity, and shows the miraculous effect of Love in all her guises.
384 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 21, 2017
Loss is something everybody has to deal with at some point. When William’s wife Caroline dies of cancer within the first few pages of William Blyghton’s debut novel, The House by the Marsh, he is left bereft, despairing and isolated. Over the course of the novel, Blyghton reflects upon notions of loss and recovery, including almost all the facets of humanity’s deepest emotions in his stride as he does so. Themes of depression, isolation, friendship, love and escapism coalesce into a meaningful whole which, whilst slow-burning, presents the reader with a profoundly intimate and sometimes affecting portrayal of how one copes with loneliness.
Blyghton’s tone throughout is a fusion of informative, almost biographical stream-of-consciousness familiarity and a romantic approach to literature, music and philosophical leanings. As William begins building a new life for himself in rural Suffolk, he forms a tangible new identity encompassing the company he keeps, the journal he writes in and the unpredictable but strangely soothing backdrop of the North Sea coast. Responses to different feelings is the book’s main concern, and whether it be via Blyghton’s dry, colloquial humour – ‘it was the kind of laughter that mocks and loves at the same time’ – or his understanding of life’s twilight years – ‘it’s almost as if it’s necessary to become nothing at the end of life’ – all of it unfurls with a tangibly human discourse.
As the book progresses and William’s grandchildren become adults, there’s a strident sense of deep-set collectivism which beautifully underpins its enduring worldview; that there is always love and companionship, even if it barely seems it. Time becomes an essential component, as references to T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets and Leonard Cohen’s final album You Want It Darker seamlessly attest, and just like the warmth of love the house by the marsh where William has formed his new life becomes a place of intergenerational sanctity.
In terms of physicality in the narrative, not a huge deal happens in The House by the Marsh, but its prose is one that creeps up on the reader late at night. It’s a quietly haunting but ultimately pertinent exploration of the human condition.
The House by the Marsh is published by Panacea Books and is available from all good bookshops and Amazon.
Blyghton’s tone throughout is a fusion of informative, almost biographical stream-of-consciousness familiarity and a romantic approach to literature, music and philosophical leanings. As William begins building a new life for himself in rural Suffolk, he forms a tangible new identity encompassing the company he keeps, the journal he writes in and the unpredictable but strangely soothing backdrop of the North Sea coast. Responses to different feelings is the book’s main concern, and whether it be via Blyghton’s dry, colloquial humour – ‘it was the kind of laughter that mocks and loves at the same time’ – or his understanding of life’s twilight years – ‘it’s almost as if it’s necessary to become nothing at the end of life’ – all of it unfurls with a tangibly human discourse.
As the book progresses and William’s grandchildren become adults, there’s a strident sense of deep-set collectivism which beautifully underpins its enduring worldview; that there is always love and companionship, even if it barely seems it. Time becomes an essential component, as references to T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets and Leonard Cohen’s final album You Want It Darker seamlessly attest, and just like the warmth of love the house by the marsh where William has formed his new life becomes a place of intergenerational sanctity.
In terms of physicality in the narrative, not a huge deal happens in The House by the Marsh, but its prose is one that creeps up on the reader late at night. It’s a quietly haunting but ultimately pertinent exploration of the human condition.
The House by the Marsh is published by Panacea Books and is available from all good bookshops and Amazon.
June 26, 2018
At the age of 70 William loses his wife and his way. A small madness descends upon him as he tries to escape from his loneliness and recreate the life he once shared with Caroline. Eventually, he finds refuge in the small Suffolk village of Frampton and the house by the marsh. It is here that William seeks to make a new life for himself, a new family, a new way of being. Living by the sea, watching the ceaseless tide, he finds a different rhythm for his days and it is this rhythm, this constant yet gentle ebb and flow, which draws you into the novel, almost hypnotically.
If you want high drama, this is not the novel for you. This is a much slower adventure story of a man forced to stitch together new experiences and friendships to create the everyday fabric of life. And as we see, it is this delicate fabric which holds him together and gives life its meaning. Later, the novel takes a more philosophical turn, as William, growing older, begins to contemplate what gives his life purpose – is it the constant work and planning and belongings he has spent a lifetime juggling, or is there something else?
I loved this novel and didn’t want it to end. It deals with the difficult questions of loss, grief and purpose in our life. But it is also a gentle and positive story, about the simple joys of life and the human ability to change and adapt. For me, the tide became a metaphor for life; there would be storms creating chaos and stress, and then the quiet times of routine and ritual, but throughout we would ebb and flow to the rhythm of our days.
If you want high drama, this is not the novel for you. This is a much slower adventure story of a man forced to stitch together new experiences and friendships to create the everyday fabric of life. And as we see, it is this delicate fabric which holds him together and gives life its meaning. Later, the novel takes a more philosophical turn, as William, growing older, begins to contemplate what gives his life purpose – is it the constant work and planning and belongings he has spent a lifetime juggling, or is there something else?
I loved this novel and didn’t want it to end. It deals with the difficult questions of loss, grief and purpose in our life. But it is also a gentle and positive story, about the simple joys of life and the human ability to change and adapt. For me, the tide became a metaphor for life; there would be storms creating chaos and stress, and then the quiet times of routine and ritual, but throughout we would ebb and flow to the rhythm of our days.
August 28, 2021
Maybe two stars is a bit harsh. I struggled with the writing style in this book. I kept thinking it needed more editing. Too much information. The dialogue was stilted and too simplistic. Particularly early on. But the book was saved for me by an endearing narrative that kept me reading to the end. The story of an older man’s journey following the loss of his wife. Both emotionally and a move away from the marital home. The book deals sensitively with grief, finding new meanings, discovering a new freedom, recognising that none of this is a straight line. The writing embraces quotes and teachings from Buddhism, Christian tradition and extracts from T S Eliot along the way. At times they don’t quite fit the moment but lend a bit of gravitas to the general lightness of the narrative. I enjoyed the read but never really got past its limitations.
January 28, 2023
I just finished reading The House By The Marsh by William Blyghton (whom I had the opportunity to meet at an event last week - which is where I picked up the book) and I really enjoyed it. It's a truly beautiful book - quiet, graceful, contemplative - and it gave me a real sense of much-needed perspective on life and the passage of time.
I loved all the different characters and the ebb and flow of the various relationships between them. I very much valued the time I got to spend with protagonist William in his house by the marsh and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy (I picked up copies of all three at the event).
I spoke to William at the event about how, as authors, it's so frustrating when we find errors in books, and how difficult revision and proofing can be for our books. So, it was interesting to find quite a few surface issues in the book.
There were a scattering of typos (obviously not deliberate) - particularly with missing closing punctuation on dialogue. On a more stylistic front, I wondered how intentional the changing viewpoint and lack of contractions in the dialogue were - as they stood out as jarring to me in places. One other thing I noticed was a tendency for a scene to be described directly in great detail as the events took place, and then for characters to relate it again in quite a lot of detail in conversation with others who weren't there at the time. The naming of the protagonist after the author is clearly deliberate (though I know William Blyghton is a pseudonym) as he told me a fair amount of the book is autobiographical.
Whilst a lot of these things did niggle at me as I was reading, they didn't detract overall from what was a really beautiful reading experience - one of those books that draws you into its world and holds you there (gently and with a great sense of comfort), inviting you to be a part of a wonderfully drawn community of characters.
I loved all the different characters and the ebb and flow of the various relationships between them. I very much valued the time I got to spend with protagonist William in his house by the marsh and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy (I picked up copies of all three at the event).
I spoke to William at the event about how, as authors, it's so frustrating when we find errors in books, and how difficult revision and proofing can be for our books. So, it was interesting to find quite a few surface issues in the book.
There were a scattering of typos (obviously not deliberate) - particularly with missing closing punctuation on dialogue. On a more stylistic front, I wondered how intentional the changing viewpoint and lack of contractions in the dialogue were - as they stood out as jarring to me in places. One other thing I noticed was a tendency for a scene to be described directly in great detail as the events took place, and then for characters to relate it again in quite a lot of detail in conversation with others who weren't there at the time. The naming of the protagonist after the author is clearly deliberate (though I know William Blyghton is a pseudonym) as he told me a fair amount of the book is autobiographical.
Whilst a lot of these things did niggle at me as I was reading, they didn't detract overall from what was a really beautiful reading experience - one of those books that draws you into its world and holds you there (gently and with a great sense of comfort), inviting you to be a part of a wonderfully drawn community of characters.
May 2, 2022
Seventy year old William is a scholar and writer. He lives a somewhat gilded and rarified existence. House in the country, flat in London, two children and a wife he loves. But then his wife dies and William’s life implodes. Unable to cope with her death he is engulfed by loneliness and a terrible fear of no longer ‘belonging’. But William is a great believer in providence and when providence leads him to a beautiful cottage on the wild Suffolk coastline he embraces the opportunity of a fresh start. Almost immediately he befriends a young woman who he employs as a housekeeper. Her tasks are, preparing him breakfast, making his bed, feeding the cat, making shopping lists and shopping for required items then returning at lunchtime and supper time to prepare his meals. William, it’s revealed is quite helpless and incapable of looking after himself, coming from that generation where wives took over from mothers. His kind and gentle manner soon attracts a coterie of new friends however in particular Mary the village postmistress, who eventually becomes a loving companion. But even she does not completely fill the void and William’s philosophical introspection of loneliness continues throughout the book. Beautiful though the prose is, I do have a criticism and it is that the quality of the narrative style outshines the dialogue. Also, the saintly nature of every character in William’s life, although well drawn, made them somewhat bland.
August 28, 2021
Reading this book whilst on holiday in Suffolk and seeing the marshes, the coastline and seaside towns described in the book helped bring the story alive. This was useful as I struggled with the simplistic style of writing throughout the book. As the story started to unfold of a newly widowed gentleman leaving behind his old life to start something new, even though he didn't realise it was a new start, more of a distraction from grief, the writing style settled as a bullet point of William, the main character's, life.
I read the book waiting for him to die as that was where it was heading from the start but was pleased the author left his death literally to the last page.
The main character William seemed to be a little spoilt and a tad needy but generally a well liked guy.
Didn't really connect with the spiritual additions which seemed to bounce between various faiths and concepts, preferring the links to Cohen and Eliot instead.
Generally this was a story of a middle class, well educated, fairly well off guy struggling to comes to terms with loss, loneliness and the realisation of the beginning of the end of his life. Quite boring really but the parts explaining love, the various ways and who we do love was endearing.
Won't be reading any of the trilogy unless I am on holiday in Suffolk again.
I read the book waiting for him to die as that was where it was heading from the start but was pleased the author left his death literally to the last page.
The main character William seemed to be a little spoilt and a tad needy but generally a well liked guy.
Didn't really connect with the spiritual additions which seemed to bounce between various faiths and concepts, preferring the links to Cohen and Eliot instead.
Generally this was a story of a middle class, well educated, fairly well off guy struggling to comes to terms with loss, loneliness and the realisation of the beginning of the end of his life. Quite boring really but the parts explaining love, the various ways and who we do love was endearing.
Won't be reading any of the trilogy unless I am on holiday in Suffolk again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2022
This tells the story of a widower’s life and emotions after his wife’s death.
This was chosen as a Book Club read; it would not normally have been a novel that I would have chosen. It was a good choice for the Club, as it gave us plenty to discuss. For me, it was one of the most depressing novels I’ve read in a long time. Not only because of the emotions written about after the protagonist’s wife passes away, but also because of the disappointing style of writing.
The whole text seems as though it needs a damned good edit. There is far too much repetition—for example William’s dietary requirements. The characters were very flat. The dialogue frequently seemed stilted and unnatural. There’s also too much unnecessary detail —knowing what was on a menu, or a shopping list, did not help the plot move along. And the plot, well that moves far too slowly, and doesn’t have any real high points. It just rambles on, and on. The ending is predictable.
The only positive aspect of the book is the author’s good description of the village and the area around the house, but even with that, the same things are repeated too often.
Definitely not for me. I wouldn’t recommend it; though some of our Book Club actually liked it.
This was chosen as a Book Club read; it would not normally have been a novel that I would have chosen. It was a good choice for the Club, as it gave us plenty to discuss. For me, it was one of the most depressing novels I’ve read in a long time. Not only because of the emotions written about after the protagonist’s wife passes away, but also because of the disappointing style of writing.
The whole text seems as though it needs a damned good edit. There is far too much repetition—for example William’s dietary requirements. The characters were very flat. The dialogue frequently seemed stilted and unnatural. There’s also too much unnecessary detail —knowing what was on a menu, or a shopping list, did not help the plot move along. And the plot, well that moves far too slowly, and doesn’t have any real high points. It just rambles on, and on. The ending is predictable.
The only positive aspect of the book is the author’s good description of the village and the area around the house, but even with that, the same things are repeated too often.
Definitely not for me. I wouldn’t recommend it; though some of our Book Club actually liked it.
June 30, 2022
When William's wife dies he is completely cut adrift, left to cope with grief and unable to see a way to survive. He moves to London but still cannot find his way through. He starts to heal after a move to the house on the marsh, where he begins to find a simple contentment in the routines of a peaceful life. He creates a family with people he meets, moving further into a life he values. He is a scholar and questions life, aging, contentment, spirituality and so much more in the journal entries we read. I have highlighted so many of them. This is not a book if you want high drama, there is no dramatic plot unfolding, but this left me with such a feeling of peace and a hope of appreciating aging in just such a manner. A beautifully written book that flowed through to a peaceful ending.
March 2, 2022
A wonderful book that can only be fully understood by the older reader who can relate to the loneliness, the sense of abandonment, of being left behind. I could identify with the author particularly with his love of lists and ritual. The story shows clearly that families are not all the same. We can form a family of our own with people we love and care about. I loved all the characters in the book, particularly William, who was such a nice caring man. Although some readers may view the characters as odd balls, I didn't as I love people who are not afraid to live their lives in their own way. I would read this book again as I enjoyed it so much.
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May 21, 2022This is a slow book.It speaks of the pain of grief in older age and the journey of acceptance around it.It is intwined with notions of what it is to be a family and how differently that can look.William is looking for someone to care for him.The book through the character interactions examines what it is to care deeply for another.The author throughout references buddhist precepts and ideas.It is charming and warm.However the spectre of haunting lonliness reasonates through the story.An older man reflecting on what it is to have reached this point in time.
December 13, 2021
Such a beautiful book. At the start I thought thedialogue was written oddly, but as I got more into it I thought the writing style perfectly fitted the tone of the book, and it was a really evocative book, not particularly emotional but very touching. Reading it felt a little like the attatchment you feel when holding a really smooth pebble on the beach, and knowing that it's only worth something because you have to leave it behind. Would 100% reccomend, made me very pensive and sad.
August 26, 2021
A moving and meaningful read
Wow! Whilst occasionally frustrating and repetitive, the messages I took were loud and clear. As someone who strongly identifies with William I found this read moving and thought provoking. For anyone who is holding on to who they think they through standing in society, possessions or achievements, READ IT.
Wow! Whilst occasionally frustrating and repetitive, the messages I took were loud and clear. As someone who strongly identifies with William I found this read moving and thought provoking. For anyone who is holding on to who they think they through standing in society, possessions or achievements, READ IT.
June 7, 2021
Unsentimentally beautiful book about aging, tolerance, philosophy, love and loss. Blyghton wastes not a word and it's all set in the evocative remote seascape of Suffolk. A book to die to.
August 12, 2021
Such an odd book. Partly insightful but the writing was unskilled and simplistic and I almost gave up on it more than once.
August 15, 2021
The house by the marsh
I found this to be a beautiful, lovely story. Enjoyed it very much. Star rating top. Hope to read a few more similar stories.
I found this to be a beautiful, lovely story. Enjoyed it very much. Star rating top. Hope to read a few more similar stories.
September 21, 2021
wonderful
Completely life affirming . I loved it
A wonderful read for an elderly lady
What a hopeful way of an ending
To be so lucky
Completely life affirming . I loved it
A wonderful read for an elderly lady
What a hopeful way of an ending
To be so lucky
May 7, 2022
Difficult to rate this book, more a 2.5. Sensitive in the way it deals with grief but the writing was quite simplistic in places.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews