The Luminous Sea

by Melissa Barbeau

*LONGLISTED FOR THE 2020 INTERNATIONAL DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD *FINALIST - THE 2019 BMO WINTERSET AWARD *WINNER - 2019 IPPY AWARD FOR FICTION (CANADA EAST) *FINALIST - 2019 NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS (BEST COVER DESIGN) *WINNER - GEORGIAN BAY READS 2019 *FINALIST - NL READS 2019 *LONGLISTED FOR THE MiRAMICHI READER'S VERY BEST BOOK AWARDS (BEST FIRST BOOK) *NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR BOOK AWARDS FICTION AWARD FINALIST

A team of researchers from a nearby university have set up a research station in a fictional outport in Newfoundland, studying the strange emergence of phosphorescent tides. And Vivienne, a young assistant, accidentally captures a creature unknown to a kind of fish, both sentient and distinctly female. As the project supervisor and lead researcher attempt to exploit the discovery, the creature begins to waste away, and Vivian must endanger herself to save them both.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Animals

237 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2018

Reviews

[Lara Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things I'll remember about this book:

-The cover. Kudos to the designer for Breakwater Books who picked out that early 20th century illustrated bookplate and linked it with Melissa's novel.

-Orange cats in tall grass in summer. And the luminous sea, of course.

-Some lovely writing and a particular golden paragraph.

-The sense of place. That outport coastal community felt very real, like I'd hung out there. There is a flavour and dynamic that I recognize as a Newfoundlander.

-Food. Jam and lemonade and bread and things eaten at the cafe.

-Protagonist Vivienne's aching concern for the well-being of what other ocean researchers in her circle refer to as "the sample."

-Power struggles. Competition for credit and prestige in the academic/research sphere.

-A horrible incident to which too many people will relate.

-Moments set at the ruins of a grand old house and the tales linked to it.

-A couple of delicious moments towards the end. And some relief.

-The bit in the author bio where it says that Melissa lives with her husband "and a gaggle of children."

PS: I know Melissa. She's from my town. We're having a book release event for her at our local library soon.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivienne can feel the air on her face, and she can taste the brine on her lips. She can feel the vibration of the engine, in the hand holding the tiller, and up into her arm. She feels solid. As if she exists.

Each sentence in The Luminous Sea feels carefully crafted with vivid imagery and a strong sense of place. Melissa Barbeau has written an interesting tale set against the backdrop of rural Newfoundland with perfect pacing and tone.

This is a remarkable little book with beautiful writing, an enjoyable story, and a gorgeous cover too!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvwVx5MnO...

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every bit of this book, one of my faves this year. Absolutely recommending it for book club. (Thanks Kerry Clare for another brilliant recommendation!)

[Orla Hegarty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tossed at page 59.

Cloying descriptions on every page - one example - "She takes cooling blue breaths to counteract the throbbing red panic that threatens to submerge her." (page 29).

Sloppy editing which led me to the final toss decision when, in this sentence, I didn't know if 'bear' meant 'bare' and led me to google whether bears rumble (they don't): "There is a bear rumble of thunder." (page 59)

Shallow and narrow character development.

Also..."The night air is warm on the luminious sea" (page 1, first sentence) and "The sea is luminous." (page 11). OKAY I GET THAT THE TITLE OF YOUR BOOK SOUNDS POETIC ALREADY.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As lovely as the cover.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good story, but there's an overdose of imagery that detracts from, rather than enhances the story. So close to being a beautiful four-star book. Ms. Barbeau definitely has talent.

[Peyton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy The Luminous Sea. The creature this book is centered on is described in very vague, dry terms and not in the way that invokes the imagination. You could visualize anything from a mermaid to a rotten jellyfish based on the information the author gives you. I think Barbeau was going for a minimalist, postmodern vibe and it really fell short for me. The emotional aspect of the story is also problematic. The Luminous Sea is marketed as if it is about rescuing sea life when it is really about a young woman being preyed upon by her professor. Ultimately, I didn't feel like I knew about or connected with any of the characters enough for the book to feel worth how distressing it was to read. It's a shame because the premise is really interesting and I wanted to like this book.

[Penny (Literary Hoarders) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jodi]

DNF'd at 35%. Some of the main character's reactions were so ridiculous - unbelievably stupid - that I just couldn't read any further. I mean, why waste time with a book that annoys you when there are thousands of others waiting to be read?

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Luminous Sea, a team of ocean researchers has descended on remote Damson Bay, Newfoundland, drawn there to study a strange phenomena: the bay has been overrun with jellyfish and the water has been lit by an unusual phosphorescence. When lab assistant Vivienne heads out on a routine expedition to collect samples, she captures a creature that bears no resemblance to anything she’s previously seen or heard tell of. But despite not knowing what it is, from the moment she hauls it into the boat Vivienne senses an intuitive and inexplicable bond with the creature and quickly falls into the habit of referring to the fish not as “it” but as “she.” Vivienne reports back to her supervisor and project lead, Colleen, who immediately recognizes that whatever it is that Vivienne has stumbled across has the potential to give her career a serious boost and possibly even make her famous. Colleen reports the find up the chain to her own supervisor, Dr. John Isaiah, who, motivated by a similarly covetous sense of opportunity—surely this strange sea creature is precisely the thing that will revive his foundering academic career and restore his reputation—walks out of a conference he’s attending at the other end of the country and hurries to Damson Bay, where he immediately takes charge of the project. Days go by with the creature held in the research team’s makeshift lab, in a freezer that’s been crudely converted into an aquarium. Vivienne watches, disheartened and with mounting revulsion, as Colleen and Isaiah subject the creature to a variety of invasive procedures, and then with growing despair as the creature languishes, captivity dulling its appearance and sapping its vitality. Vivienne’s sympathy for the creature—her concern for its well-being—which Colleen detects and derides, puts her at odds with the two senior scientists and leaves her on the outside of the project looking in. As the narrative progresses we meet other residents of Damson Bay, one of which is Tama, proprietor of a local café/diner, who befriends Vivienne and becomes a confidant and, ultimately, an ally. Melissa Barbeau’s concise novel is a delight to read: suspenseful and exquisitely written, the prose limpid and graceful, filled with poetic flourishes and vividly rendered descriptive passages. All of Barbeau’s characters come to life—the heartless, unprincipled, despicable Colleen is a standout—but the star of this atmospheric drama is gentle, heartsick Vivienne, whose mystical connection to the creature she pulled from the glowing waters of Damson Bay compels her to take matters into her own hands.

[Aphelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regrettably, the best part of this slim book is the cover: the artwork is Ernst Haeckel's "Actiniae" Plate 49, from his book "Art Forms in Nature" (1904). I bought it on a whim from the local library sale, excited to find a local Newfoundland author writing about mermaids! Alas, that description was misleading.

Vivienne, a young research assistant cataloguing sea samples in rural Damson Bay hooks a strange creature one night and brings it back to their ad hoc lab for analysis. She quickly begins to regret that decision.

Barbeau's descriptions of claustrophobic small town life are spot-on - especially the lackluster affair between Vivienne's senior colleague, Colleen, and a local man - which makes the incredible vagueness of the maybe-mermaid "fish" that much more frustrating.

The unexpected sexual violence between Vivienne and the lead male research professor seemed out of place, and I'm not sure how it was supposed to fit into the story. Perhaps as an analogue for the probing of the specimen?

I think the hidden theme might be along the lines of "we can't ever know what we cannot understand", but the ending fell completely flat for me and I couldn't connect with any of the characters.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbeau’s writing in The Luminous Sea is intense, alive, enigmatic and filled with lyrical imagery.
I so enjoyed reading this novel, it took me back to Newfoundland and the coast. So many great metaphors, here is just one quote that took my fancy:
“The fog dragon that resides just over the far hill has exhaled again.”
I purchased a signed copy of The Luminous Sea at St. John's airport, before boarding the plane home; I wanted to take something of the wild sea and the ragged coast with me back to the prairies. I wasn't disappointed. Brilliant.

[Laurie Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful novel with a beautiful cover.
It is a slim volume, but it took me a very long time to read.
I had to take frequent breaks from it, as the writing is so rich and descriptive and the characters and situation can often be very heavy.

Overall, I can hardly say I "enjoyed it" but I think it is an important and meaningful work.

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

mehhhhhhhhh.
that’s the only way to describe how I felt about this book. meh.
Redundant, boring characters, repetitive descriptions, with a plot that COULD have been executed much better, but just wasn’t.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Luminous Sea follows the story of a research group in Newfoundland. While Vivienne, a summer student, is out studying the strange phosphorescent tides and jellyfish infestation in the harbour, she catches a creature unlike any she’s seen before. As the research team works to build their careers on the backs of Vivienne’s findings, the creature wastes away in the lab. Can Vivienne save her before it’s too late?

Holy moly friends, THIS BOOK. From the first page I was completely hooked. The writing is breathtaking, allowing you to imagine yourself in Newfoundland with the characters. It reminded me of Ask Again, Yes and Circe - so I feel like it had a bit of a literary fiction vibe.

As someone who has worked in academia, the story really struck a cord with me. Don’t let it’s academic focus deter you though, this book has so many facets and I was swept up in each and every one.

The Luminous Sea made me realize that I adore magical realism - it was always close to saying something but never quite got the words out. I can’t delve into it further since I don’t want to spoil anything, but this was my absolute favourite thing about the book. It allowed you to imagine some things and choose for yourself how realistic it should be.

I never predicted any of the twists and was just absolutely delighted by the entire thing. I strongly urge you to go pick this up - even if you know nothing about research or Newfoundland, you will enjoy this book! I am giving The Luminous Sea 5⭐️.

Content warning: Sexual assault.

[Matthew McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reduced to its essential elements, the plot could be summarized easily, though there's more below the surface. But that surface - "the skin of the sea" - is excellently rendered; there are some genuinely gorgeous passages here. The omniscient perspective works too, despite a bit of tricky balancing in the editing process, I'm sure.

This text should solidify Barbeau as one of NL's rising stylists. A very well written first novel.

[Caley Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!! A wonderful little novel full of poetic imagery along with a compelling and imaginative plot. The author’s descriptions of Newfoundland’s marine environment and the science conducted around it are accurate and tangible. The cast of characters-even the mysterious creature-feel very real as well. The suspense was built up so well I couldn’t put it down. I can’t say enough good things about this book and I think I’ve found a new favourite!

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way too many similies and metaphors. Almost every sentence. Became frustrating and took away from the overall story.

Also the description of the animal was lacking and did not help readers picture it in their minds.

[Harold Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my Book ReMarks column at the link below:

https://www.thepacket.ca/living/book-...

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description of a small fishing town in outport Newfoundland is pitch perfect and delightfully authentic. From the ingrained attitudes towards 'townies' to the strained tension between the fishing community and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, down to details like bakeapple dessert - Ms Barbeau captures the briny friendly spirit of small town Newfoundland. While this one is fictional, it represents the numerous fishing communities that dot Newfoundland's landscape. Many struggle due to the decline in fishing stocks and the cod moratorium as well as the young leaving for St John's or Fort McMurray.

The unknown sea creature that Vivienne unwittingly nets is never clearly described, apparently a deliberate choice by the author. I was imagining something akin to https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou... (real life mirroring fiction and all that) but reading further, it was apparent this creature was much larger and more sentient than initial assumptions. So I readjusted and thought more along the lines of The Shape of Water.

However, the toxic bullying and abuse that Vivienne is subject to as research summer intern plus the way academic scientists and professionals were misbehaving were rather triggering. The cruelty which they 'studied' the sea creature in the frenzied race to get a publication out in a science journal is also hard to stomach. It's rather realistic unfortunately and hit a little too close to home. I loved the evocative descriptions and prose of The Luminous Sea, will get back to finish this book.

[Cherise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. The blurb gave me the impression of a magical aquatic encounter and a story dedicated to the intrigue of this mysterious creature. Unfortunately my questions about what this creature was were never answered, but what I found most frustrating was the lack of consistency in descriptions regarding the creature. The main characters are researchers, scientists, and I found it really hard to believe that scientifically minded people on a research trip wouldn't come up with some sort of consistent description in their attempts to classify the creature, even if the whole point was that it was an unclassifiable thing. The writing aside from that flowed well enough, but I just struggled to connect to the plight of rescuing this creature when I couldn't visualize it myself.

Overall I feel like there was a lot of missed potential, and perhaps the blurb didn't do the greatest job of setting up my expectations for this story in the end.

[Jacqueline]

Started reading the ebook on a bus ride across the island. Finished it on the way home again. I enjoyed it. I was a little lost once in a while and did notice a grammar mistake but the story was interesting.

I was especially found this passage thought provoking:

“Now we have all this plastic everywhere and it’s getting harder and harder to disappear us.” “Once we were destined to dissolve, just like everything else. That’s the natural way of the world....Now we’re leaving behind garbage that’s going to outlast our grandchildren. We’ve found the way to immortality, found a way to keep company with everything ancient down there. And it’s trough trash.”

[Cathy Regular · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.9/5.0

Book Quotes:

There is no such thing as a secret in a small town. Nothing goes unnoticed. Tip the salt shaker over on the kitchen table and the next morning someone in line at the post office will ask you if you remembered to throw a pinch over your left shoulder to shoo away the Devil.

Colleen is an accordion, sucking in air, heaving it out again. She is burning oxygen like kindling. She is a stogged wood stove. She is an overheated kitchen party all to herself.

What she needs is to create a little head room, like the space left in the top of a jar of canned preserves.

[Janalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. The imagery in this novel is really something else. I loved the setting of a rural outport and the sense of community on display. I found the characters interesting, and I have a strong desire to try Tama's homemade jams. The cover is absolutely beautiful, and matches the author's imagery very well. It annoyed me, though, that the creature in question is never fully described, haha. I've read that Barbeau did that on purpose, but it still annoyed me.

[Arkadia Napier · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s like a snapshot of someone who stumbles across a town afflicted by an eldritch horror, except there is no horror and the town is mostly peaceful.

The prose is poetic and colourful. More abstract than flowery. The scenes are vivid and it was an all around good read, quick and to the point.

3.5/5

[e-Lizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more stars, it was truly one of the best books I’ve read this year. Absolutely gorgeous writing, and a wonderful story with some of the most riveting imagery I’ve ever read. A perfect novel.

[Kayla Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I did enjoy this book. And as someone from carbonear area, Newfoundland I loved the scenic and culture descriptions. There were just some things I wish were expanded on and others I thought were a little unnecessary but overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

[Wendy King · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third of 4 books in the NL Reads for 2020. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It is well written as evidenced by the awards it has won but I just didn't get "into" it. I will have to see what others say when the debate starts.

[Jen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. Luscious cover with all the illustrated anemones, etc. That’s honestly what made me select the book. Good story, with a satisfying ending. Loved the description of the coffee shop; I want to sit in it and write.

[S D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand theft fish kept me thoroughly engrossed during a long work break. The novel was beautifully written with wonderful imagery. I was pleased to find a piece of literature that captured rural Newfoundland charm.