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Sheerwater
Emotional, powerful, unforgettable. From a stunning new literary talent, you won't be able to put down this novel about a mother's love for her children - it will break your heart.
'With visceral prose and a tense narrative arc that unfolds over just three days, speeding towards a dramatic conclusion .... Sheerwater is a propulsive read with an acute emotional core ... likely to hold appeal for readers of both literary and crime fiction, and fans of writers such as Emily Maguire, Emma Viskic and Sofie Laguna.' Bookseller + Publisher
Ava and her two young sons, Max and Teddy, are driving to their new home in Sheerwater, hopeful of making a fresh start in a new town, although Ava can't help but keep looking over her shoulder. They're almost at their destination when they witness a shocking accident - a light plane crashing in the field next to the road. Ava stops to help, but when she gets back to the car, she realises that somehow, among the smoke, fire and confusion, her sons have gone missing ...
From a substantial new Australian writing talent, Sheerwater is tense, emotional, unforgettable. Perfect for readers of Mark Brandi's Wimmera and Stephanie Bishop's The Other Side of the World, this is a beautifully written, propulsive, gut-wrenching and unputdownable novel - an aching, powerful story of the heroic acts we are capable of in the name of love.
'Sheerwater is that rare gift of a book that balances gorgeous, glittering language with breathless pace. Leah Swann writes with devastating honesty ... This is an extraordinary novel - I tore through it, captivated by the imagery and the setting, desperately hoping for a happy ending.' Rebecca Starford, author of Bad Behavior
'Heart-in-mouth story ... Swann's language is sinewy and pointed; the book is trim and every sentence is necessary...a complex and horribly believable story with tremendous flair.' The Age
'Sheerwater is a haunting story built on conflict. Freedom and control, tenderness and violence, hope and fear, love and hate. It shows the strength of a mother's love and the yearning for something more ... This novel is full of beautifully gripping prose and deeply powerful emotions told through sublime pacing. I found it triggered a peculiar mix of wanting to dwell in the darkly emotive prose while needing to urgently push through it to find resolution. It will be one of those books that lingers in your mind, the memory of which may even be mistaken for a story read in the news.' Booktopia
'Sheerwater is compelling reading ... There is an urgency in the writing that makes you read on because you must know what the conclusion is - no matter which way it goes ... This is an extraordinary literary debut; the writing is beautifully evocative and the intertwining narratives of the main characters seamless. It's tender, it's suspenseful and you'll be wanting to see so much more from Leah Swann - I ignored everything for a day to rip through the pages and loved every minute of it.' Better Reading
'With visceral prose and a tense narrative arc that unfolds over just three days, speeding towards a dramatic conclusion .... Sheerwater is a propulsive read with an acute emotional core ... likely to hold appeal for readers of both literary and crime fiction, and fans of writers such as Emily Maguire, Emma Viskic and Sofie Laguna.' Bookseller + Publisher
Ava and her two young sons, Max and Teddy, are driving to their new home in Sheerwater, hopeful of making a fresh start in a new town, although Ava can't help but keep looking over her shoulder. They're almost at their destination when they witness a shocking accident - a light plane crashing in the field next to the road. Ava stops to help, but when she gets back to the car, she realises that somehow, among the smoke, fire and confusion, her sons have gone missing ...
From a substantial new Australian writing talent, Sheerwater is tense, emotional, unforgettable. Perfect for readers of Mark Brandi's Wimmera and Stephanie Bishop's The Other Side of the World, this is a beautifully written, propulsive, gut-wrenching and unputdownable novel - an aching, powerful story of the heroic acts we are capable of in the name of love.
'Sheerwater is that rare gift of a book that balances gorgeous, glittering language with breathless pace. Leah Swann writes with devastating honesty ... This is an extraordinary novel - I tore through it, captivated by the imagery and the setting, desperately hoping for a happy ending.' Rebecca Starford, author of Bad Behavior
'Heart-in-mouth story ... Swann's language is sinewy and pointed; the book is trim and every sentence is necessary...a complex and horribly believable story with tremendous flair.' The Age
'Sheerwater is a haunting story built on conflict. Freedom and control, tenderness and violence, hope and fear, love and hate. It shows the strength of a mother's love and the yearning for something more ... This novel is full of beautifully gripping prose and deeply powerful emotions told through sublime pacing. I found it triggered a peculiar mix of wanting to dwell in the darkly emotive prose while needing to urgently push through it to find resolution. It will be one of those books that lingers in your mind, the memory of which may even be mistaken for a story read in the news.' Booktopia
'Sheerwater is compelling reading ... There is an urgency in the writing that makes you read on because you must know what the conclusion is - no matter which way it goes ... This is an extraordinary literary debut; the writing is beautifully evocative and the intertwining narratives of the main characters seamless. It's tender, it's suspenseful and you'll be wanting to see so much more from Leah Swann - I ignored everything for a day to rip through the pages and loved every minute of it.' Better Reading
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2020
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917 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
February 29, 2020
This is a heart-rending novel that begs to be read in one sitting. Two little boys, Max and Teddy, are ripped apart from their mother and my heart was in my mouth for the whole book with the suspense of wishing them reunited safe and sound.
The boys’ mother, Ava, has decided she can no longer take the abusive marriage she has found herself in and plans an early morning escape with the boys to a fresh start in Sheerwater, a small town on the southern Victorian coast. On the way there they witness the crash of a small plane and as the first person at the site, Ava pulls off the road, and after telling the boys to stay in the car, rushes to see if she can help any of the passengers. After pulling the pilot from the plane, others arrive and Ava heads back to her car only to find the boys missing. Any parent who has sight of their child for even a few minutes will understand the sheer terror Ava experienced at that moment.
This is not so much a novel about missing children as one about relationships. When Ava first met Laurence he was playful and charming but as their marriage has gone on he suffers periods of rapid mood change and rage. He is easily angered and hits out at Ava and frightens the boys to the point where she has taken out a restraining order and just wants to get away from his hate and anger. Ava’s mother is less than supportive as she has been charmed by Laurence and does not believe he is capable of hurting Ava or the boys.
I liked the way the novel is written, with three of the family members, Ava, Laurence and Max telling their side of the story as it unfolds. Nine year Max’s care and love of his little brother, four year old Teddy was really lovely, in the face of the frightening situation they found themselves in. While the main characters were quite well formed, the minor characters felt very underdeveloped. Particularly Simon, who arrived after Ava at the crash site and helped her in Sheerwater after the boys were taken. There were some glimpses of his story but not enough to resonate or fill out his character. . Given that the novel is quite short more time could have been spent fleshing out Simon and his brother Caleb who was also interesting and sketchy.
Overall, this is a haunting tale with a very emotional ending and an important one as every day we continue to hear harrowing tales of family domestic violence caused by uncontrolled male anger.
With many thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for a digital copy
The boys’ mother, Ava, has decided she can no longer take the abusive marriage she has found herself in and plans an early morning escape with the boys to a fresh start in Sheerwater, a small town on the southern Victorian coast. On the way there they witness the crash of a small plane and as the first person at the site, Ava pulls off the road, and after telling the boys to stay in the car, rushes to see if she can help any of the passengers. After pulling the pilot from the plane, others arrive and Ava heads back to her car only to find the boys missing. Any parent who has sight of their child for even a few minutes will understand the sheer terror Ava experienced at that moment.
This is not so much a novel about missing children as one about relationships. When Ava first met Laurence he was playful and charming but as their marriage has gone on he suffers periods of rapid mood change and rage. He is easily angered and hits out at Ava and frightens the boys to the point where she has taken out a restraining order and just wants to get away from his hate and anger. Ava’s mother is less than supportive as she has been charmed by Laurence and does not believe he is capable of hurting Ava or the boys.
I liked the way the novel is written, with three of the family members, Ava, Laurence and Max telling their side of the story as it unfolds. Nine year Max’s care and love of his little brother, four year old Teddy was really lovely, in the face of the frightening situation they found themselves in. While the main characters were quite well formed, the minor characters felt very underdeveloped. Particularly Simon, who arrived after Ava at the crash site and helped her in Sheerwater after the boys were taken. There were some glimpses of his story but not enough to resonate or fill out his character. . Given that the novel is quite short more time could have been spent fleshing out Simon and his brother Caleb who was also interesting and sketchy.
Overall, this is a haunting tale with a very emotional ending and an important one as every day we continue to hear harrowing tales of family domestic violence caused by uncontrolled male anger.
With many thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for a digital copy
March 21, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this book but still think it was a good read. The plot is one that is fast paced with two small boys missing after their mother, Ava, flees her violent and dangerous husband Laurence. However, the telling of the book, especially that from the perspective of Ava and Laurence is more suited to a literary style book. They seem to make a lot of trivial observations and use a lot of superfluous descriptive words when supposedly they are both at their wits end. To me the plot and the telling did not quite gel.
On the other hand, the sections told from the perspective of Max, one of the boys was right on the money. His narrative broke my heart and had me so worried for him and his younger brother Teddy.
Many will read this book and love it, of that I have no doubt! It is set on the Victorian coast and in Melbourne with some great characters. It also flags the terrible reality of domestic violence and the fall out of this.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On the other hand, the sections told from the perspective of Max, one of the boys was right on the money. His narrative broke my heart and had me so worried for him and his younger brother Teddy.
Many will read this book and love it, of that I have no doubt! It is set on the Victorian coast and in Melbourne with some great characters. It also flags the terrible reality of domestic violence and the fall out of this.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2020
Sheerwater is the first adult novel by Australian author, Leah Swann. Later, Ava so wishes she had driven on and dialled 000, but at the time, she felt she had to stop. She was on her way to freedom from Laurence, to perhaps a better career and, most importantly, to safety for her boys and herself. But the light plane had crashed, right there in front of her, and she had to check for survivors, help if she could. Max and Teddy would stay in the car, she was certain. Lives were saved, but by then her boys were gone.
As Ava begins living every mother’s worst nightmare, the people of Sheerwater rally around to help search and support, while in Melbourne Detective Fiona Ballard questions Laurence Bain and extended family. Simon Manrose, the next on the crash scene after Ava, proffers a description of someone he strongly feels is involved.
The story is told from five different perspectives and it is quickly clear from Laurence’s narrative that Ava has had the misfortune of becoming the focus of the attentions of a psychopath. That Laurence has Ava and Max constantly second-guessing their every thought and action also bears this out.
So well do Max’s chapters portray a nearly-ten-year-old’s his resolve to care for and protect his four-year-old brother from harm, it’s heart-breaking. This is a brave and clever boy whose confusion at his father’s behaviour is palpable.
Even as the reader learns from the various strands of the story exactly what has happened and who is responsible, the tension ramps up and the anxiety for the boys’ safety is intensely felt. At certain points, some readers may need to do the reading equivalent of hands in front of the eyes during the scary bit of the movie: shut the book for a while and do something else.
Swann’s prose is often wonderfully evocative: “In the noisy, heaving, chaotic police station he was as calm and motionless as a benediction” and perceptive: “Could she teach Max the difference between truth and what seems true? Or could it only be learnt as life trims your edges? She grimaced. She hated to think that Max and Teddy had to learn that love does not protect you.”
While domestic abuse, both physical and psychological, are highly topical, Swann could not know just how relevant her novel would be in the light of recent events in Queensland. This is an emotional read that grabs the attention from the start and does not let go until the final shocking conclusion.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia.
As Ava begins living every mother’s worst nightmare, the people of Sheerwater rally around to help search and support, while in Melbourne Detective Fiona Ballard questions Laurence Bain and extended family. Simon Manrose, the next on the crash scene after Ava, proffers a description of someone he strongly feels is involved.
The story is told from five different perspectives and it is quickly clear from Laurence’s narrative that Ava has had the misfortune of becoming the focus of the attentions of a psychopath. That Laurence has Ava and Max constantly second-guessing their every thought and action also bears this out.
So well do Max’s chapters portray a nearly-ten-year-old’s his resolve to care for and protect his four-year-old brother from harm, it’s heart-breaking. This is a brave and clever boy whose confusion at his father’s behaviour is palpable.
Even as the reader learns from the various strands of the story exactly what has happened and who is responsible, the tension ramps up and the anxiety for the boys’ safety is intensely felt. At certain points, some readers may need to do the reading equivalent of hands in front of the eyes during the scary bit of the movie: shut the book for a while and do something else.
Swann’s prose is often wonderfully evocative: “In the noisy, heaving, chaotic police station he was as calm and motionless as a benediction” and perceptive: “Could she teach Max the difference between truth and what seems true? Or could it only be learnt as life trims your edges? She grimaced. She hated to think that Max and Teddy had to learn that love does not protect you.”
While domestic abuse, both physical and psychological, are highly topical, Swann could not know just how relevant her novel would be in the light of recent events in Queensland. This is an emotional read that grabs the attention from the start and does not let go until the final shocking conclusion.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia.
February 18, 2024
From the dramatic opening scene right through to the desperate ending Sheerwater traverses some difficult terrain. This is a novel of suspense that deals with the difficult and troubling subject of domestic abuse without shying away from the pain and suffering that it inflicts on everyone involved. Leah Swann writes with an evocative poignancy that I found completely compelling.
Ava and her two sons, Max and Teddy, are running away from her husband in an effort to save them all from the irrational and dangerous man. She’s on the Great Ocean Road, travelling along the starkly beautiful southern coast of Victoria, heading towards the small town of Sheerwater. A freak plane accident compels her to stop so that she might render assistance to the survivors.
By the time she has returned to her car, Max and Teddy are gone. The boys’ disappearance understandably sends Ava into a frenzy fuelled by fear for their safety, knowing who she’s running from and what he’s capable of.
With the help of a fellow traveller and good samaritan Ava manages to navigate the initial feelings of blind fear and hopelessness. It’s actually through him and his brother, a reverend who provides a safe refuge for the local homeless that important details are uncovered. It seems she’s found herself a solid network of people with whom she can work to track down the boys.
The ensuing story is told from three different viewpoints: Ava’s, her husband Lawrence’s and their son Max’s. By entering the minds of these three characters we are given a close-up view of the agony and worry of one parent, the madness of a disturbed mind of another and the confusion of torn allegiances of the son. It’s this last perspective that provided me with the greatest emotional response as you get the perfect narrative of just how traumatic an experience a marriage break up really is, particularly one in which violence is involved.
This is a missing persons case that takes place over a relatively short period of time. It’s also unusual in that we know quite quickly who has taken the boys. The impact of the knowing means that we can also quickly gauge just how much danger they’re in. There’s a constant feeling of desperation and urgency that propels the story to a particularly dramatic conclusion.
This story is primarily a commentary on domestic abuse and an area that’s critically examined is the difficulty the abused has when dealing with the authorities. Every time Ava interacted with the police there was a strong impression that they were inclined to have believed everything her husband had told them and were sceptical of her. This clearly emphasises the fact of how well practised the abuser is at creating a believable facade while the abused is totally beaten down by the onslaught. I thought Leah Swann dealt with this aspect of Sheerwater tremendously well.
I found Sheerwater to be a fast moving drama that conveyed the strongest of emotions with plenty of empathy. It’s a very well written thriller that’s filled with poignancy and heartbreak.
Ava and her two sons, Max and Teddy, are running away from her husband in an effort to save them all from the irrational and dangerous man. She’s on the Great Ocean Road, travelling along the starkly beautiful southern coast of Victoria, heading towards the small town of Sheerwater. A freak plane accident compels her to stop so that she might render assistance to the survivors.
By the time she has returned to her car, Max and Teddy are gone. The boys’ disappearance understandably sends Ava into a frenzy fuelled by fear for their safety, knowing who she’s running from and what he’s capable of.
With the help of a fellow traveller and good samaritan Ava manages to navigate the initial feelings of blind fear and hopelessness. It’s actually through him and his brother, a reverend who provides a safe refuge for the local homeless that important details are uncovered. It seems she’s found herself a solid network of people with whom she can work to track down the boys.
The ensuing story is told from three different viewpoints: Ava’s, her husband Lawrence’s and their son Max’s. By entering the minds of these three characters we are given a close-up view of the agony and worry of one parent, the madness of a disturbed mind of another and the confusion of torn allegiances of the son. It’s this last perspective that provided me with the greatest emotional response as you get the perfect narrative of just how traumatic an experience a marriage break up really is, particularly one in which violence is involved.
This is a missing persons case that takes place over a relatively short period of time. It’s also unusual in that we know quite quickly who has taken the boys. The impact of the knowing means that we can also quickly gauge just how much danger they’re in. There’s a constant feeling of desperation and urgency that propels the story to a particularly dramatic conclusion.
This story is primarily a commentary on domestic abuse and an area that’s critically examined is the difficulty the abused has when dealing with the authorities. Every time Ava interacted with the police there was a strong impression that they were inclined to have believed everything her husband had told them and were sceptical of her. This clearly emphasises the fact of how well practised the abuser is at creating a believable facade while the abused is totally beaten down by the onslaught. I thought Leah Swann dealt with this aspect of Sheerwater tremendously well.
I found Sheerwater to be a fast moving drama that conveyed the strongest of emotions with plenty of empathy. It’s a very well written thriller that’s filled with poignancy and heartbreak.
October 22, 2020
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**3.5 stars**
Sheerwater by Leah Swann. (2020).
Ava and her two young sons, Max and Teddy, are driving to their new home to make a fresh start although Ava can't help but keep looking over her shoulder. They are almost there when they witness a shocking accident; a light plane crashing in the field next to the road. Ava stops to help but when she gets back to the car she realises that among the smoke, fire and confusion, her sons have gone missing...
Even though I was interested in the synopsis, I originally didn't borrow this book from the library purely because I had so many at home. After a very high review from someone I share similar book tastes with, I decided to fit this book in. I can see why other readers find this story stunning. I think for me I can't say I loved it because it is quite a depressing story really and I didn't like the end. It is beautifully written, and it shines a much needed light on the reality and potential consequences of being in a domestic violence relationship with a manipulative, cruel and intelligent person. The entire book takes place over a three day period. The reader experiences quite a few different perspectives including Ava, her ex, little Max and Simon who assists Ava at the accident. As a mother I really felt for Ava but it was Max's perspective that I found that most powerful.
If you are looking for a tense and emotional read then this may be the book for you.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**3.5 stars**
Sheerwater by Leah Swann. (2020).
Ava and her two young sons, Max and Teddy, are driving to their new home to make a fresh start although Ava can't help but keep looking over her shoulder. They are almost there when they witness a shocking accident; a light plane crashing in the field next to the road. Ava stops to help but when she gets back to the car she realises that among the smoke, fire and confusion, her sons have gone missing...
Even though I was interested in the synopsis, I originally didn't borrow this book from the library purely because I had so many at home. After a very high review from someone I share similar book tastes with, I decided to fit this book in. I can see why other readers find this story stunning. I think for me I can't say I loved it because it is quite a depressing story really and I didn't like the end. It is beautifully written, and it shines a much needed light on the reality and potential consequences of being in a domestic violence relationship with a manipulative, cruel and intelligent person. The entire book takes place over a three day period. The reader experiences quite a few different perspectives including Ava, her ex, little Max and Simon who assists Ava at the accident. As a mother I really felt for Ava but it was Max's perspective that I found that most powerful.
If you are looking for a tense and emotional read then this may be the book for you.
March 5, 2020
Sheerwater is an emotional read and a mother’s worse nightmare.
I have mixed emotions about this book as it started off as suspenseful and mysterious and then it appeared to drift in the direction of delving more into the characters emotional feelings. It was a deep look at how the human psyche works when things go bad.
The theme was domestic violence and it was set over a three-day period of extreme emotional turmoil. The story was more about fear and relationships more than anything else and how far a person will go for revenge.
Ava a mother of two boys Max and Teddy plans to escape an abusive husband. As Ava and the children drive along the Great Ocean Road they witness a plane crash. Ava pulls off the road and rushes to help the occupants of the crash. When she returns to her car her sons have disappeared!
The cover was so pretty, all sparkly and shimmering and I loved the characters of little Teddy and Max to bits.
I wish to thank Better Reading and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a copy to read in return for an honest review
I have mixed emotions about this book as it started off as suspenseful and mysterious and then it appeared to drift in the direction of delving more into the characters emotional feelings. It was a deep look at how the human psyche works when things go bad.
The theme was domestic violence and it was set over a three-day period of extreme emotional turmoil. The story was more about fear and relationships more than anything else and how far a person will go for revenge.
Ava a mother of two boys Max and Teddy plans to escape an abusive husband. As Ava and the children drive along the Great Ocean Road they witness a plane crash. Ava pulls off the road and rushes to help the occupants of the crash. When she returns to her car her sons have disappeared!
The cover was so pretty, all sparkly and shimmering and I loved the characters of little Teddy and Max to bits.
I wish to thank Better Reading and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a copy to read in return for an honest review
March 4, 2020
‘Ava felt the sea move in her blood before she saw it.’
Ava is fleeing an abusive marriage. With her sons Max and Teddy, she’s driving to a town on the coast of Victoria, hoping to make a fresh start. They are almost to Sheerwater when they witness a light plane crashing into a field next to the road. Ava is the first person on the scene and stops to help. She tells the boys to stay in the car. Minutes later, after pulling the pilot from the plane and after others have arrived on the scene, she returns to the car. The boys are gone. Where are they?
‘Who are you?’
Failed relationships. Missing children. As we join Ava in her desperate search to find her sons, we learn about her relationship with Laurence. Superficially charming, Laurence is prone to rapid mood changes and can be violent. Ava has taken out a restraining order. But Ava’s mother sees only that Laurence is charming and thinks that Ava is overreacting.
The story unfolds over three days, and is mainly told by Ava, Laurence and Max. Max is only 9 years old and looks out for his 4-year-old brother. I kept turning pages, hoping that Ava, or the police, or anyone really, would find (and rescue) these two boys. Other (sketchier) characters provide part of the story, and the tension builds. Can the boys be rescued?
I don’t want to write more about the story because I can’t do so without spoilers. Suffice to say that sadly (and often tragically) domestic violence is far too common in Australia. Victims are often not believed, or are blamed, for their circumstances. Perpetrators can be simultaneously charming and violent, capable of twisting the truth to suit themselves.
I finished the novel profoundly saddened. If only such stories could be confined to fiction. This is Ms Swann’s first novel: it’s a powerful story and will haunt me for some time.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Ava is fleeing an abusive marriage. With her sons Max and Teddy, she’s driving to a town on the coast of Victoria, hoping to make a fresh start. They are almost to Sheerwater when they witness a light plane crashing into a field next to the road. Ava is the first person on the scene and stops to help. She tells the boys to stay in the car. Minutes later, after pulling the pilot from the plane and after others have arrived on the scene, she returns to the car. The boys are gone. Where are they?
‘Who are you?’
Failed relationships. Missing children. As we join Ava in her desperate search to find her sons, we learn about her relationship with Laurence. Superficially charming, Laurence is prone to rapid mood changes and can be violent. Ava has taken out a restraining order. But Ava’s mother sees only that Laurence is charming and thinks that Ava is overreacting.
The story unfolds over three days, and is mainly told by Ava, Laurence and Max. Max is only 9 years old and looks out for his 4-year-old brother. I kept turning pages, hoping that Ava, or the police, or anyone really, would find (and rescue) these two boys. Other (sketchier) characters provide part of the story, and the tension builds. Can the boys be rescued?
I don’t want to write more about the story because I can’t do so without spoilers. Suffice to say that sadly (and often tragically) domestic violence is far too common in Australia. Victims are often not believed, or are blamed, for their circumstances. Perpetrators can be simultaneously charming and violent, capable of twisting the truth to suit themselves.
I finished the novel profoundly saddened. If only such stories could be confined to fiction. This is Ms Swann’s first novel: it’s a powerful story and will haunt me for some time.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 28, 2020
Sheerwater is a book that I have wanted to read ever since it came out. I was gifted it in a random act of kindness by the lovely Laura and couldn’t wait to get stuck in. It was a book that once I picked it up was really hard to put down.
I really don’t know what to say about this story. It was tense and highly emotional with a shocking ending that took me a while to comprehend. It is beautifully written to have you in the moment with the characters. I think it would make a great movie.
Ava is driving the Great Ocean Road with her 2 young boys, on their way to a new start in Sheerwater. They are escaping the boys father, Lawrence, who is violent and really not well. When they are really close to their new home they witness a small plane crash by the side of the road. Ava rushes to help but when she returns to the car the boys are gone. This is the start of her worst nightmare.
I really don’t know what to say about this story. It was tense and highly emotional with a shocking ending that took me a while to comprehend. It is beautifully written to have you in the moment with the characters. I think it would make a great movie.
Ava is driving the Great Ocean Road with her 2 young boys, on their way to a new start in Sheerwater. They are escaping the boys father, Lawrence, who is violent and really not well. When they are really close to their new home they witness a small plane crash by the side of the road. Ava rushes to help but when she returns to the car the boys are gone. This is the start of her worst nightmare.
June 6, 2020
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* POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2020 #21: A book published the month of your birthday.
‘Ava gazed out at the sea between the houses as they walked the short track to the township. Sheerwater. So far the sea was never sheer in this place. It was opaque, inky: a set of wild indigo whirlpools from some brutal myth of creation. Everything here was extreme: the light and the dark and the savage wind that makes you shiver and wears you away.’
I can completely understand why March 2020 4th Estate publication, Sheerwater by Leah Swann has received such rave reviews. It is a one of kind, haunting, evocative and hard-hitting composition. This one left me a little breathless by the close and although I wasn’t completely satisfied by the conclusion that was offered up, I was completely in awe of Leah Swann’s beautiful, but raw set piece.
Sheerwater crosses the difficult waters of domestic and emotional abuse, as a mother strives to protect her brood. Ava and her two young sons are making the journey to a brand new life, away from the pain and emotional abuse of their father and Ava’s ex. However, on their way to new found freedom, a terrible but freak accident unfolds in front of their eyes. Ava is compelled to stop and help in the rescue effort, leaving her sons in the car. However, when Ava makes her way back to the car after rendering assistance, she is faced with every parent’s worst nightmare – her boys are missing. What follows is Ava’s heartbreaking search to recover her children as she battles both her ex and the authorities in order to be reunited with her sons.
Generally when I finish a book I like to form my review as soon as possible, while my response to the piece is still fresh in my mind. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I was unable to compose my review of Sheerwater until almost a week after I had read the last page of this book. I hope that despite the delay I can still do this book the justice is so rightly deserves. Sheerwater is a brilliant novel, a true literary feat. Swann has an elegant way with words. Her writing is expressive, perceptive, refined and purposeful. The list could really go on, but I’m sure you have a good idea of how much I admired Swann’s writing style. If only I could have an inch of Swann’s skill!
Sheerwater unfolds in quite a short space of time, three days to be exact. There is a sense of urgency to this book and the reader is placed in the thick of it all from the get-go. The device of using multiple points of view to unravel this emotionally fraught tale was compelling. I was committed to Sheerwater from the opening page, the prose was simple spectacular, almost seducing you with its literary power. Gaining an insight from a mother, father, child and an outsider was an interesting but balanced approach, it really gives you a comprehensive picture of this harrowing story.
I immediately sympathised with Ava and I greatly admired her heroic act in attending to the plane crash at the opening on the novel. I became pretty fixated on this plane crash to be honest and I think I went off on a complete tangent thinking about the significance of this accident to the proceedings of the novel. In Laurence, we see an arrogant and manipulative man, who is clearly cruel and delusional. I detested this character and Swann ensures that Laurence is seen as the villain of the tale, along with another side character, an accomplice of sorts. I can’t talk about this side character for fear of entering spoiler territory, so my apologies if I sound vague. While Max’s point of view, the eldest child of Ava and Laurence, was on point. I have a boy who is the same age as Max, so I found his narration the most emotionally hard hitting. I think in some respects, Max was failed, especially by the authorities. This was one of the hardest aspects of reading Sheerwater.
With many stories of domestic and family abuse arising and so many more that we do not know about, I think the author has tapped into a pressing societal issue. The timing of Sheerwater’s presence is spot on and I do hope that this book paves the way for more stories based on home front issues to be circulated in the publishing world. Swann’s examination of emotional abuse, physical abuse, mental illness, marital breakdown, control and custody rights was sensitive, yet realistic.
Although I felt a little let down by the conclusion, which I had to read over again and check with a friend to see if I had missed something, Sheerwater left a huge imprint on my mind. Immediately after finishing this one I reached out to my book club friends, I’m glad it was our pick this month. There was definitely a sense of urgency in wanting to discuss this one, which I think is down to the power of this novel. I implore you to add Sheerwater to your reading list, it is a stunning release from a great new Australian talent.
*Sheerwater is book #64 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
* POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2020 #21: A book published the month of your birthday.
‘Ava gazed out at the sea between the houses as they walked the short track to the township. Sheerwater. So far the sea was never sheer in this place. It was opaque, inky: a set of wild indigo whirlpools from some brutal myth of creation. Everything here was extreme: the light and the dark and the savage wind that makes you shiver and wears you away.’
I can completely understand why March 2020 4th Estate publication, Sheerwater by Leah Swann has received such rave reviews. It is a one of kind, haunting, evocative and hard-hitting composition. This one left me a little breathless by the close and although I wasn’t completely satisfied by the conclusion that was offered up, I was completely in awe of Leah Swann’s beautiful, but raw set piece.
Sheerwater crosses the difficult waters of domestic and emotional abuse, as a mother strives to protect her brood. Ava and her two young sons are making the journey to a brand new life, away from the pain and emotional abuse of their father and Ava’s ex. However, on their way to new found freedom, a terrible but freak accident unfolds in front of their eyes. Ava is compelled to stop and help in the rescue effort, leaving her sons in the car. However, when Ava makes her way back to the car after rendering assistance, she is faced with every parent’s worst nightmare – her boys are missing. What follows is Ava’s heartbreaking search to recover her children as she battles both her ex and the authorities in order to be reunited with her sons.
Generally when I finish a book I like to form my review as soon as possible, while my response to the piece is still fresh in my mind. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I was unable to compose my review of Sheerwater until almost a week after I had read the last page of this book. I hope that despite the delay I can still do this book the justice is so rightly deserves. Sheerwater is a brilliant novel, a true literary feat. Swann has an elegant way with words. Her writing is expressive, perceptive, refined and purposeful. The list could really go on, but I’m sure you have a good idea of how much I admired Swann’s writing style. If only I could have an inch of Swann’s skill!
Sheerwater unfolds in quite a short space of time, three days to be exact. There is a sense of urgency to this book and the reader is placed in the thick of it all from the get-go. The device of using multiple points of view to unravel this emotionally fraught tale was compelling. I was committed to Sheerwater from the opening page, the prose was simple spectacular, almost seducing you with its literary power. Gaining an insight from a mother, father, child and an outsider was an interesting but balanced approach, it really gives you a comprehensive picture of this harrowing story.
I immediately sympathised with Ava and I greatly admired her heroic act in attending to the plane crash at the opening on the novel. I became pretty fixated on this plane crash to be honest and I think I went off on a complete tangent thinking about the significance of this accident to the proceedings of the novel. In Laurence, we see an arrogant and manipulative man, who is clearly cruel and delusional. I detested this character and Swann ensures that Laurence is seen as the villain of the tale, along with another side character, an accomplice of sorts. I can’t talk about this side character for fear of entering spoiler territory, so my apologies if I sound vague. While Max’s point of view, the eldest child of Ava and Laurence, was on point. I have a boy who is the same age as Max, so I found his narration the most emotionally hard hitting. I think in some respects, Max was failed, especially by the authorities. This was one of the hardest aspects of reading Sheerwater.
With many stories of domestic and family abuse arising and so many more that we do not know about, I think the author has tapped into a pressing societal issue. The timing of Sheerwater’s presence is spot on and I do hope that this book paves the way for more stories based on home front issues to be circulated in the publishing world. Swann’s examination of emotional abuse, physical abuse, mental illness, marital breakdown, control and custody rights was sensitive, yet realistic.
Although I felt a little let down by the conclusion, which I had to read over again and check with a friend to see if I had missed something, Sheerwater left a huge imprint on my mind. Immediately after finishing this one I reached out to my book club friends, I’m glad it was our pick this month. There was definitely a sense of urgency in wanting to discuss this one, which I think is down to the power of this novel. I implore you to add Sheerwater to your reading list, it is a stunning release from a great new Australian talent.
*Sheerwater is book #64 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
January 21, 2020
Before you pick up this book, make sure you understand the meaning of: “beautifully written, propulsive, tense, gut-wrenching and unputdownable” in the blurb. Especially the “gut-wrenching” bit. Or shall I say “gut-punching”? Because after finishing it this morning, I still feel strangely winded and hollow.
Let me also make it clear that you should not make the same mistake I made, and pick this up thinking it is mainly a mystery. I was somewhat puzzled when the “mystery” component was pretty much obsolete by the second part of the book. Instead, choose this book knowing it is about relationships, parenthood, trauma, domestic abuse (in all its shapes and form) and the unravelling of the human psyche into darkness.
You will get a taste of what is to follow from the very opening pages, when a small plane crashes into a field next to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Ava and her two small children are the first on scene. Ava feels the same dilemma any mother in that situation would face – she has children in the car, should she stop or just drive on and call for help? With her rescuer background, she cannot resist the compulsion to render assistance. Instructing the boys to stay in the car and look away, she sets off to give first aid. And thus her fate is forever changed.
Swann writes beautifully and lyrically, conjuring up the stunning scenery of the Victorian coastline with her words. This is a two-sided sword, because her horrific scenes are just as vivid and unescapable as the tranquil ones (which are thankfully thrown into the mix every now and then to give the reader breathing space). Her characters are well drawn, their emotional baggage relatable, their plight unimaginable. With an uncanny insight into the human psyche, she teases out her characters’ darkest secrets, slowly and gradually, so that the picture we may have formed initially soon begins to unravel. It is very difficult to discuss this book without spoilers, so I will keep it brief. I had a lot of assumptions challenged. I was duly terrified when all the clues led to the inevitable finale, and yet I was not prepared for it.
Relationships feature strongly in this novel. Ava and Laurence’s marriage, which we gradually learn more about as the story progresses. The mother-daughter relationship between Ava and her mother. Motherhood. Brotherhood. Fatherhood, as seen through the eyes of Laurence, which will hold some surprises. Friendships in the most unexpected places. Dysfuntional, some of them.
Yes, I will leave it here because as much as I would like to blurt out some of the details that absolutely sucker punched me, I will not spoil it for you. Read it with a buddy, one you can call in the middle of the night when you have read the last page and need a friend as much as a 1800 helpline.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
Let me also make it clear that you should not make the same mistake I made, and pick this up thinking it is mainly a mystery. I was somewhat puzzled when the “mystery” component was pretty much obsolete by the second part of the book. Instead, choose this book knowing it is about relationships, parenthood, trauma, domestic abuse (in all its shapes and form) and the unravelling of the human psyche into darkness.
You will get a taste of what is to follow from the very opening pages, when a small plane crashes into a field next to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Ava and her two small children are the first on scene. Ava feels the same dilemma any mother in that situation would face – she has children in the car, should she stop or just drive on and call for help? With her rescuer background, she cannot resist the compulsion to render assistance. Instructing the boys to stay in the car and look away, she sets off to give first aid. And thus her fate is forever changed.
Swann writes beautifully and lyrically, conjuring up the stunning scenery of the Victorian coastline with her words. This is a two-sided sword, because her horrific scenes are just as vivid and unescapable as the tranquil ones (which are thankfully thrown into the mix every now and then to give the reader breathing space). Her characters are well drawn, their emotional baggage relatable, their plight unimaginable. With an uncanny insight into the human psyche, she teases out her characters’ darkest secrets, slowly and gradually, so that the picture we may have formed initially soon begins to unravel. It is very difficult to discuss this book without spoilers, so I will keep it brief. I had a lot of assumptions challenged. I was duly terrified when all the clues led to the inevitable finale, and yet I was not prepared for it.
Relationships feature strongly in this novel. Ava and Laurence’s marriage, which we gradually learn more about as the story progresses. The mother-daughter relationship between Ava and her mother. Motherhood. Brotherhood. Fatherhood, as seen through the eyes of Laurence, which will hold some surprises. Friendships in the most unexpected places. Dysfuntional, some of them.
Yes, I will leave it here because as much as I would like to blurt out some of the details that absolutely sucker punched me, I will not spoil it for you. Read it with a buddy, one you can call in the middle of the night when you have read the last page and need a friend as much as a 1800 helpline.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
September 29, 2020
Oh my. I am beyond fed up with books that expect me to decide for myself how the story ends and what happens to certain characters.
I know some readers like that. So if you like stories that expect you to decide what happens, you might not be as bothered by this book as I was. As for me, like I've said many times before, when I pay $30 for the opportunity of stepping into the world and its characters created by the author, I want to know how they see the story playing out. If I want to decide how a story ends, I'll write one myself, thank you very much! It's a literary device I just LOATHE.
That oft repeated rant aside, there was plenty else I disliked about this book.
My heart always hurts when I read the stories of domestic violence survivors such as Anne O'Neill and Rosie Batty. It breaks when I read about domestic violence victims such as Hannah Baxter. The issue of the scourge of domestic violence in Australia is an important one.
That issue is not well served by pretentious nonsense such as this book.
Sheerwater tells the story of Ava, who is heading to the titular town with her sons Max and Teddy. She is running from her abusive husband, Lawrence. On the way, she witnesses a light plane crash. Telling her sons to stay in the car, Ava follows her instincts as a former rescue operator of some kind to go and assist. After helping, when she returns, her sons have vanished.
The book has several view points: Ava, her son Max, her husband Lawrence. For some reason, several chapters are told from the point of view of Simon, a man who also assisted at the same plane crash Ava did.
There is no purpose to his chapters. None. Other than the fact he's seemingly fucking psychic, he could be removed from the story entirely and it wouldn't make a lick of difference! Why on earth did he have such prominence in the story???
And yes, at a crucial point in the story, Simon uses his psychic powers, and that's what easily decided the 1 star rating for me.
No. Just no. Psychic phenomena in a "literary", pretentious exploration of a serious issue such as domestic violence is just utterly inexcusable to me. It has no place. You really expect me to take your book seriously when you throw in that shit? It made me really, really angry.
Yes, I've used the word "pretentious" a few times. That's how it felt to me. The author has apparently released a few volumes of poetry, so that might possibly clue you in to what you might find here. Lots of flowery descriptions of scenery. Lots of flowery descriptions of birds - because, hello metaphors! This extends to the characters: they don't feel like real people. Their dialogue sounds like the author's own words, not what we might realistically expect these people to be saying.
Max and Teddy are sympathetic characters. My gut churned with worry for them. But nevertheless, they had the sort of intelligence and pluckiness that you might expect from kids in a Lifetime TV movie, not real world 4 and 9 year olds. Ridiculous contrivance helps propel events towards an equally ridiculous climax.
The final stretch helped drop this to 1 star. Obviously, spoilers follow.
Clearly, I did not like this book. The author seems very enamoured with her own writing and her use of words. The serious issue of domestic violence is completely trivialised by both this writing style and the utterly confounding decision to use psychic powers as a plot point, plus all the other previously mentioned ridiculousness in the sprint to the end.
I'd recommend skipping it, but I seem to be in the minority with my opinion.
I know some readers like that. So if you like stories that expect you to decide what happens, you might not be as bothered by this book as I was. As for me, like I've said many times before, when I pay $30 for the opportunity of stepping into the world and its characters created by the author, I want to know how they see the story playing out. If I want to decide how a story ends, I'll write one myself, thank you very much! It's a literary device I just LOATHE.
That oft repeated rant aside, there was plenty else I disliked about this book.
My heart always hurts when I read the stories of domestic violence survivors such as Anne O'Neill and Rosie Batty. It breaks when I read about domestic violence victims such as Hannah Baxter. The issue of the scourge of domestic violence in Australia is an important one.
That issue is not well served by pretentious nonsense such as this book.
Sheerwater tells the story of Ava, who is heading to the titular town with her sons Max and Teddy. She is running from her abusive husband, Lawrence. On the way, she witnesses a light plane crash. Telling her sons to stay in the car, Ava follows her instincts as a former rescue operator of some kind to go and assist. After helping, when she returns, her sons have vanished.
The book has several view points: Ava, her son Max, her husband Lawrence. For some reason, several chapters are told from the point of view of Simon, a man who also assisted at the same plane crash Ava did.
There is no purpose to his chapters. None. Other than the fact he's seemingly fucking psychic, he could be removed from the story entirely and it wouldn't make a lick of difference! Why on earth did he have such prominence in the story???
And yes, at a crucial point in the story, Simon uses his psychic powers, and that's what easily decided the 1 star rating for me.
No. Just no. Psychic phenomena in a "literary", pretentious exploration of a serious issue such as domestic violence is just utterly inexcusable to me. It has no place. You really expect me to take your book seriously when you throw in that shit? It made me really, really angry.
Yes, I've used the word "pretentious" a few times. That's how it felt to me. The author has apparently released a few volumes of poetry, so that might possibly clue you in to what you might find here. Lots of flowery descriptions of scenery. Lots of flowery descriptions of birds - because, hello metaphors! This extends to the characters: they don't feel like real people. Their dialogue sounds like the author's own words, not what we might realistically expect these people to be saying.
Max and Teddy are sympathetic characters. My gut churned with worry for them. But nevertheless, they had the sort of intelligence and pluckiness that you might expect from kids in a Lifetime TV movie, not real world 4 and 9 year olds. Ridiculous contrivance helps propel events towards an equally ridiculous climax.
The final stretch helped drop this to 1 star. Obviously, spoilers follow.
Clearly, I did not like this book. The author seems very enamoured with her own writing and her use of words. The serious issue of domestic violence is completely trivialised by both this writing style and the utterly confounding decision to use psychic powers as a plot point, plus all the other previously mentioned ridiculousness in the sprint to the end.
I'd recommend skipping it, but I seem to be in the minority with my opinion.
March 23, 2020
I really could have done with one more chapter to this novel. I didn’t need it, but I definitely wanted it. For reassurance. In my imagination, I am pushing for a couple of key outcomes, so I guess I’m just going to have to go with that. What a novel though! This is a powerful story, almost gentle in its brutality; quite a literary achievement.
Alternating between character perspectives, the novel spans only three days – three very intense days. The beginning of the sections that cover day two and day three are prefaced with a piece of writing about the shearwaters’ migration. Shearwaters are the most abundant seabird species in Australian waters and they are commonly known as the mutton-bird. It wasn’t until I reached the end of the novel that I realised that these two pieces of writing about the migration of the birds were in some way a premonition of what was next to come in the journey of the boys, Max and Teddy. Reaching that climatic part of the novel, towards the end, gave me goosebumps as my mind instantly reached back to the preface of day three. I even went back and re-read it, confirming my feelings about this correlation.
I feel as though this novel is a cautionary tale of an utterly preventable tragedy. When domestic violence meets mental illness there is never going to be a positive outcome, but I can’t help feel that there shouldn’t automatically always be a tragic one either. There were several instances throughout this story where I really felt enraged at the police. We have a woman here, whose two young children have gone missing while she is fleeing from their father. This couple are separated, but there is an intervention order against the husband, who is being treated for a mental illness, and there is a history of documented violence. That’s the scenario we have here. It’s all very clear, and while the husband attempted at every opportunity to rewrite the narrative, the facts really spoke for themselves. And yet, the woman in this scenario still gets asked a question like this by the detective investigating the disappearance of her children:
“Why did you marry someone like this, who tells lies, who makes you feel so unsafe that you get an intervention order taken out against him?”
This was just one of many questions that did nothing at all to aid in the investigation, and also did nothing at all to prevent the ultimate tragedy. Questions like this only serve one purpose: to victim blame. To change the narrative and put the responsibility of a grown man’s actions back onto his wife, who should what? Not try and protect herself and her children from harm in case it angers him? Not flee from her family home in terror because that’s ‘not fair’ to a father because ‘he’s a good guy just going through a rough patch’? Everything that happened within this novel was avoidable, and this is why we still have so far to go when it comes to preventing death from domestic violence within our society. This is a novel that taps into a crisis that exists within our country today. It’s very much a statement novel, but not in a gratuitous way. It was devastating, yet written with a beauty that seemed to paradoxically soften the blow while also remaining sharply on point.
I really loved Ava and was desperate for her to get the freedom for herself and her children that she so deserved. There was another character, Simon, who I also really liked. He was going through his own issues and was pulled into what was happening with Ava merely by chance and proximity. He seemed to be a ‘seer’ or perhaps just highly intuitive, I’m not sure, but this aspect of his persona appealed to me greatly. In my imagination, there is more for Simon and Ava, beyond the pain.
Sheerwater is a novel that will leave an impression upon anyone who reads it. I have a feeling I will be seeing more about this novel within the next year, perhaps listed for prizes. I don’t often get hunches like that, but the last time I did was after I read The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood, and we all know how that turned out!
Thanks is extended to HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a NetGalley copy of Sheerwater for review.
Alternating between character perspectives, the novel spans only three days – three very intense days. The beginning of the sections that cover day two and day three are prefaced with a piece of writing about the shearwaters’ migration. Shearwaters are the most abundant seabird species in Australian waters and they are commonly known as the mutton-bird. It wasn’t until I reached the end of the novel that I realised that these two pieces of writing about the migration of the birds were in some way a premonition of what was next to come in the journey of the boys, Max and Teddy. Reaching that climatic part of the novel, towards the end, gave me goosebumps as my mind instantly reached back to the preface of day three. I even went back and re-read it, confirming my feelings about this correlation.
I feel as though this novel is a cautionary tale of an utterly preventable tragedy. When domestic violence meets mental illness there is never going to be a positive outcome, but I can’t help feel that there shouldn’t automatically always be a tragic one either. There were several instances throughout this story where I really felt enraged at the police. We have a woman here, whose two young children have gone missing while she is fleeing from their father. This couple are separated, but there is an intervention order against the husband, who is being treated for a mental illness, and there is a history of documented violence. That’s the scenario we have here. It’s all very clear, and while the husband attempted at every opportunity to rewrite the narrative, the facts really spoke for themselves. And yet, the woman in this scenario still gets asked a question like this by the detective investigating the disappearance of her children:
“Why did you marry someone like this, who tells lies, who makes you feel so unsafe that you get an intervention order taken out against him?”
This was just one of many questions that did nothing at all to aid in the investigation, and also did nothing at all to prevent the ultimate tragedy. Questions like this only serve one purpose: to victim blame. To change the narrative and put the responsibility of a grown man’s actions back onto his wife, who should what? Not try and protect herself and her children from harm in case it angers him? Not flee from her family home in terror because that’s ‘not fair’ to a father because ‘he’s a good guy just going through a rough patch’? Everything that happened within this novel was avoidable, and this is why we still have so far to go when it comes to preventing death from domestic violence within our society. This is a novel that taps into a crisis that exists within our country today. It’s very much a statement novel, but not in a gratuitous way. It was devastating, yet written with a beauty that seemed to paradoxically soften the blow while also remaining sharply on point.
I really loved Ava and was desperate for her to get the freedom for herself and her children that she so deserved. There was another character, Simon, who I also really liked. He was going through his own issues and was pulled into what was happening with Ava merely by chance and proximity. He seemed to be a ‘seer’ or perhaps just highly intuitive, I’m not sure, but this aspect of his persona appealed to me greatly. In my imagination, there is more for Simon and Ava, beyond the pain.
Sheerwater is a novel that will leave an impression upon anyone who reads it. I have a feeling I will be seeing more about this novel within the next year, perhaps listed for prizes. I don’t often get hunches like that, but the last time I did was after I read The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood, and we all know how that turned out!
Thanks is extended to HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a NetGalley copy of Sheerwater for review.
January 10, 2020
Ava is driving with her two sons to her new home in Sheerwater (a fictional coastal town supposedly in the Great Ocean Road area), having just left her husband, when a plane crashes [literally] in front of her. Feeling duty bound, she goes to help the plane passengers, leaving her sons with strict instructions to stay in the car. When she returns, however, they are gone.
The story unfolds from the point of view of several characters including (obviously) Ava, Ava’s husband Laurence, Ava’s son Max, and Simon, a man who also stopped to help during the plane crash.
Swann’s writing style is very beautiful. Her descriptions of the gorgeous Australian landscape around the Great Ocean Road is captivating. I felt so immersed in her prose at times that the plot became of little consequence. However, there is more to the book than flowery writing -- a very well thought out and tense plot.
Swann increased the tension throughout at just the correct rate. In a couple of places near the end of the book I felt like my nerves were stretched to their limit. There were some scenes I was expecting, and some which were extremely unexpected, and it all left me feeling a little helpless and hopeless at times. I guess a slight warning -- despite the beautiful style of writing, a lot of the subject matter is less than beautiful. The book is basically a domestic thriller, after all.
Without giving too much away, I especially liked the way Swann made me reflect upon the contrasting styles used by Laurence and Simon to face their individual struggles. The theme of forgiveness and redemption was made even more powerful, I thought, when comparing the two characters.
The book, at times, has a dreamlike quality to it that I will admit to liking. I’m more of a rational disbelieving type person with a tendency to roll my eyes but I found I embraced this surreal element of the novel with gusto. Obviously Swann cast a spell on me.
I recommend Sheerwater and predict it could become the next big hit in Australian literature.
4 ½ out of 5
Another slight spoiler warning -
The story unfolds from the point of view of several characters including (obviously) Ava, Ava’s husband Laurence, Ava’s son Max, and Simon, a man who also stopped to help during the plane crash.
Swann’s writing style is very beautiful. Her descriptions of the gorgeous Australian landscape around the Great Ocean Road is captivating. I felt so immersed in her prose at times that the plot became of little consequence. However, there is more to the book than flowery writing -- a very well thought out and tense plot.
Swann increased the tension throughout at just the correct rate. In a couple of places near the end of the book I felt like my nerves were stretched to their limit. There were some scenes I was expecting, and some which were extremely unexpected, and it all left me feeling a little helpless and hopeless at times. I guess a slight warning -- despite the beautiful style of writing, a lot of the subject matter is less than beautiful. The book is basically a domestic thriller, after all.
Without giving too much away, I especially liked the way Swann made me reflect upon the contrasting styles used by Laurence and Simon to face their individual struggles. The theme of forgiveness and redemption was made even more powerful, I thought, when comparing the two characters.
The book, at times, has a dreamlike quality to it that I will admit to liking. I’m more of a rational disbelieving type person with a tendency to roll my eyes but I found I embraced this surreal element of the novel with gusto. Obviously Swann cast a spell on me.
I recommend Sheerwater and predict it could become the next big hit in Australian literature.
4 ½ out of 5
Another slight spoiler warning -
March 26, 2020
When a light plane crashes by the side of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, Ava, a former emergency rescue worker, feels compelled to stop and render assistance. Leaving her two young sons, Max and Teddy, safely locked in the car with strict instructions to remain, she and and another passerby bravely pull the pilot and two frightened children from the wreckage moments before it explodes. When emergency services arrives Ava makes her way back to the car only to find it empty.
Alternating primarily between the perspectives of Ava, her estranged husband Laurence, and their oldest son, 9 year old Max, Sheerwater is a harrowing tale, skillfully executed by Leah Swann.
Ava’s fear for her missing sons is visceral, her confusion and anxiety building as the police question her every word. Laurence’s attempts to reframe the narrative are infuriating, and an all too familiar reflection of recent current events. Max’s courage is heartbreaking as he tries to care for and protect his four year old brother, Teddy.
The prose is lyrical and evocative, portraying nuanced character and emotion. Vivid imagery conjures a sense of place, no matter the setting.
Though there are a few elements I felt were perhaps out of place, they didn’t detract from my interest. Unfolding over a period of three days, the pace is intense, and the increasing tension utterly gripping. I was left shattered by the ending.
Both beautiful and brutal, Sheerwater is a compelling read.
Alternating primarily between the perspectives of Ava, her estranged husband Laurence, and their oldest son, 9 year old Max, Sheerwater is a harrowing tale, skillfully executed by Leah Swann.
Ava’s fear for her missing sons is visceral, her confusion and anxiety building as the police question her every word. Laurence’s attempts to reframe the narrative are infuriating, and an all too familiar reflection of recent current events. Max’s courage is heartbreaking as he tries to care for and protect his four year old brother, Teddy.
The prose is lyrical and evocative, portraying nuanced character and emotion. Vivid imagery conjures a sense of place, no matter the setting.
Though there are a few elements I felt were perhaps out of place, they didn’t detract from my interest. Unfolding over a period of three days, the pace is intense, and the increasing tension utterly gripping. I was left shattered by the ending.
Both beautiful and brutal, Sheerwater is a compelling read.
June 7, 2020
I listened to this, which I think adds a layer of distance compared to reading (at least for me). It's fine - a reasonably propulsive plot, some nice writing and a dramatic finale, but I found the characters and a few of the coincidences a bit unconvincing and wasn't super invested in how things turned out at the end.
April 10, 2020
Sheerwater is the breathtaking novel from Australian author Leah Swann. Set in the fictional place of Sheerwater, Victoria, this is Ava’s story of physical and emotional abuse in a domestic violence situation. Told over three short days, Sheerwater, deviates from the norm by using multiple perspectives to explore the full impact of domestic violence in a sensitive yet open manner. Heartbreaking, gut wrenching and powerful are just some of the words that should be used to describe a book that perfectly articulates every mother's worst nightmare.
On Day One, Ava is the first person that readers meet. She has left home with her two sons, the adorable Teddy and Max. At under five years of age, Teddy is the baby of the family and big brother, nine year old Max, is his protector. Ava’s deep love for these two little men shines bright. Driving along the Great Ocean Road, heading towards a new beginning, the family witness a plane crash. Here, readers discover the courage and the determination that Ava has gained from her job experiences as she makes the decision to help the two people in the plane. Leaving her boys in the car is the one choice that will turn Ava’s life upside down. For when she returns the boys are gone.
Laurence is the husband of Ava. Through Laurence, readers gain insight into the mind of a man who physically and emotionally abuses his family. The thoughts of this man, his actions and the games he played were very disturbing. Swann demonstrates why women like Ava feel that they have nowhere to turn as they know that the perpetrator can wear many masks. Whether it was charming, homeless or in a position of authority, Laurence convinced people he was that person. When it was Ava’s own family, I found this unfathomable. How could the ones who are supposed to love you above everyone else do this to their own flesh and blood? As Laurence’s emotional state became more unstable over the course of the three days, I knew in my bones what Laurence would do. I just didn’t know how.
The most important point of view was Max’s. I found his perspective the most heartbreaking and challenging as I have not read a child’s position in the past. Max is a little boy who has seen and heard things that no child should be exposed to. In his heart, Max knows that what is happening in his family is dangerous. He wants to look out for his mother in her precarious situation but at the same time, he wants to be loved by his father. Max’s conflicted feeling grow, becoming stronger, as time moves on. Max takes his role as the older brother seriously but at the same time acknowledges the strengths that Teddy has gained from his own short life. In most difficult circumstances, I admired Max for following Teddy’s intuition, letting him unintentionally take the lead. As I raced through the chapters, I knew the fate of the brothers in my heart. I just didn’t know how.
Simon and Gerard are the last two characters that tell their side of the story. Alongside Ava, Simon assists the plane crash victims. He has demons of his own to battle that come to light further into the story. Simon’s support comes from his own family, particularly brother Caleb. Caleb provides the religious aspect of Sheerwater with his strong faith. In contrast to the other characters, Gerard has only one chapter over the few days. To say too much would be to give away the story, but his role is pivotal in bringing back Max’s and Teddy’s faith.
With its beautiful prose and fast pace, Sheerwater is one that you will want to talk about for days to come as it settles in your soul.
On Day One, Ava is the first person that readers meet. She has left home with her two sons, the adorable Teddy and Max. At under five years of age, Teddy is the baby of the family and big brother, nine year old Max, is his protector. Ava’s deep love for these two little men shines bright. Driving along the Great Ocean Road, heading towards a new beginning, the family witness a plane crash. Here, readers discover the courage and the determination that Ava has gained from her job experiences as she makes the decision to help the two people in the plane. Leaving her boys in the car is the one choice that will turn Ava’s life upside down. For when she returns the boys are gone.
Laurence is the husband of Ava. Through Laurence, readers gain insight into the mind of a man who physically and emotionally abuses his family. The thoughts of this man, his actions and the games he played were very disturbing. Swann demonstrates why women like Ava feel that they have nowhere to turn as they know that the perpetrator can wear many masks. Whether it was charming, homeless or in a position of authority, Laurence convinced people he was that person. When it was Ava’s own family, I found this unfathomable. How could the ones who are supposed to love you above everyone else do this to their own flesh and blood? As Laurence’s emotional state became more unstable over the course of the three days, I knew in my bones what Laurence would do. I just didn’t know how.
The most important point of view was Max’s. I found his perspective the most heartbreaking and challenging as I have not read a child’s position in the past. Max is a little boy who has seen and heard things that no child should be exposed to. In his heart, Max knows that what is happening in his family is dangerous. He wants to look out for his mother in her precarious situation but at the same time, he wants to be loved by his father. Max’s conflicted feeling grow, becoming stronger, as time moves on. Max takes his role as the older brother seriously but at the same time acknowledges the strengths that Teddy has gained from his own short life. In most difficult circumstances, I admired Max for following Teddy’s intuition, letting him unintentionally take the lead. As I raced through the chapters, I knew the fate of the brothers in my heart. I just didn’t know how.
Simon and Gerard are the last two characters that tell their side of the story. Alongside Ava, Simon assists the plane crash victims. He has demons of his own to battle that come to light further into the story. Simon’s support comes from his own family, particularly brother Caleb. Caleb provides the religious aspect of Sheerwater with his strong faith. In contrast to the other characters, Gerard has only one chapter over the few days. To say too much would be to give away the story, but his role is pivotal in bringing back Max’s and Teddy’s faith.
With its beautiful prose and fast pace, Sheerwater is one that you will want to talk about for days to come as it settles in your soul.
October 19, 2020
Such an impressive novel by this author. Imagine helping victims of a plane crash then finding your own sons kidnapped, it’s every mother’s nightmare.
what follows is a race to find two little boys by a mother who is running away from her abusive husband. I really felt for her and the two boys.
I listened to this on audiobook and it kept me riveted to the story. This is one author to watch!
what follows is a race to find two little boys by a mother who is running away from her abusive husband. I really felt for her and the two boys.
I listened to this on audiobook and it kept me riveted to the story. This is one author to watch!
August 28, 2020
If the pen is mightier than the sword and a great author can wield it with the precision of a brain surgeon, the sword wielded by Leah Swann it is the kind of blunt little tool dismissed out of hand by Hannibal Lector, fit only for Alan Rickman to eat your heart with.
February 28, 2020
Thank you to Better Reading, HarperCollins Publishers and Leah Swann for the opportunity to read “Sheerwater” before release, in exchange for an honest review.
I will be honest in saying that I was immediately taken in with the novel simply because of the cover, and the way it sparkled. But you should never judge a book by its cover and that was true for this novel.
The story follows Ava, her two sons Max and Teddy and Ava’s estranged husband Laurence, plus a cast of people from the town of Sheerwater. Whilst leaving their old life behind and heading towards the town of Sheerwater, Ava and her sons see a small plane crash and against her better judgement, Ava leaves her sons in the car and goes to help to victims in the plane. When she returns to her car, her children are gone. This begins a search far and wide for her children, all the while trying to stay clear of Laurence.
When I first started reading, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of the novel or as if this was a sequel to another one where Ava and Laurence had already been introduced. I felt like I was expected to know things about the characters and their lives, and little effort was made to change that feeling. The layout of the novel was separated into days and then broken down again into characters as the book changed points of view, giving the reader an insight into what was happening with the characters as the book carried the reader through the search for Max and Teddy.
The characters of Ava and Laurence drove me crazy. I understand that Ava was the epitome of a battered wife but the way Laurence was created: self-righteous, arrogant, delusional and honestly believed that he was a god that his wife and sons should bow before. I found Ava to be weak and the complete opposite of what I would have expected a mother, whose children have gone missing, to be like. As the story progressed, Laurence became more insufferable, to the point of derangement, whilst I could almost image Ava sitting there twiddling her thumbs. I actually don’t know who I dislike more, Ava or Laurence.
As the story concluded I was left with a feeling of ‘really? Is that how it ends?’ It felt so rushed and I felt like no thought had gone into the ending, rather that the author just wanted the book done and over with and decided: ‘what’s the quickest way to finish it?’ Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this novel as it pulled me in quickly and had me reading as fast as I could, but once it was finished I felt that the combination of the characters and the ending, spoiled the whole novel.
I will be honest in saying that I was immediately taken in with the novel simply because of the cover, and the way it sparkled. But you should never judge a book by its cover and that was true for this novel.
The story follows Ava, her two sons Max and Teddy and Ava’s estranged husband Laurence, plus a cast of people from the town of Sheerwater. Whilst leaving their old life behind and heading towards the town of Sheerwater, Ava and her sons see a small plane crash and against her better judgement, Ava leaves her sons in the car and goes to help to victims in the plane. When she returns to her car, her children are gone. This begins a search far and wide for her children, all the while trying to stay clear of Laurence.
When I first started reading, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of the novel or as if this was a sequel to another one where Ava and Laurence had already been introduced. I felt like I was expected to know things about the characters and their lives, and little effort was made to change that feeling. The layout of the novel was separated into days and then broken down again into characters as the book changed points of view, giving the reader an insight into what was happening with the characters as the book carried the reader through the search for Max and Teddy.
The characters of Ava and Laurence drove me crazy. I understand that Ava was the epitome of a battered wife but the way Laurence was created: self-righteous, arrogant, delusional and honestly believed that he was a god that his wife and sons should bow before. I found Ava to be weak and the complete opposite of what I would have expected a mother, whose children have gone missing, to be like. As the story progressed, Laurence became more insufferable, to the point of derangement, whilst I could almost image Ava sitting there twiddling her thumbs. I actually don’t know who I dislike more, Ava or Laurence.
As the story concluded I was left with a feeling of ‘really? Is that how it ends?’ It felt so rushed and I felt like no thought had gone into the ending, rather that the author just wanted the book done and over with and decided: ‘what’s the quickest way to finish it?’ Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this novel as it pulled me in quickly and had me reading as fast as I could, but once it was finished I felt that the combination of the characters and the ending, spoiled the whole novel.
May 22, 2020
(2.5 stars)
This novel has an abrupt end, leaving the reader with unresolved questions about key characters. The prose is overblown, to the point of ridiculous in places: "His head was clear as ice, his brain an ordered structure forming a matrix that extended in all directions. He was an evolving life form moving down a corridor in a hospital built on the solid ground of the earth beneath the sun and the stars." No, Lawrence was a douche who thinks it's acceptable to hurt women, children and the elderly.
Each section starts with a flowery description of Shearwater seabirds who have a long migratory journey. It takes to the end of the novel to understand their relevance - some don't make it home. This parallels the story of Ava and her sons, Max and Teddy. It's a novel about domestic and family violence, that focuses not just on the impact of men's violence on women, but also on children.
With chapters written in the voices of different characters, you get to explore how domestic and family violence is felt by everyone concerned, from perpetrator to victim/survivor, to the child victims/survivors. For Ava, leaving feels like freedom: "She was so cramped inside, so cramped all over; she'd been living the smallest version of herself for so long." This freedom quickly turns into a three-day long nightmare, reflecting how dangerous it can be for women and children in the period immediately after separation.
Probably the best bit of Sheerwater is connecting losing your children to Australia's history of the Stolen Generation as Ava is comforted by Indigenous mothers: "There's me beautiful daughter out there somewhere, she had eyes all silver-green, green as gum trees, she'd be old by now, she wouldn't know me, old lost mother with hardly a tooth left. I'm a sad thing."
This novel has an abrupt end, leaving the reader with unresolved questions about key characters. The prose is overblown, to the point of ridiculous in places: "His head was clear as ice, his brain an ordered structure forming a matrix that extended in all directions. He was an evolving life form moving down a corridor in a hospital built on the solid ground of the earth beneath the sun and the stars." No, Lawrence was a douche who thinks it's acceptable to hurt women, children and the elderly.
Each section starts with a flowery description of Shearwater seabirds who have a long migratory journey. It takes to the end of the novel to understand their relevance - some don't make it home. This parallels the story of Ava and her sons, Max and Teddy. It's a novel about domestic and family violence, that focuses not just on the impact of men's violence on women, but also on children.
With chapters written in the voices of different characters, you get to explore how domestic and family violence is felt by everyone concerned, from perpetrator to victim/survivor, to the child victims/survivors. For Ava, leaving feels like freedom: "She was so cramped inside, so cramped all over; she'd been living the smallest version of herself for so long." This freedom quickly turns into a three-day long nightmare, reflecting how dangerous it can be for women and children in the period immediately after separation.
Probably the best bit of Sheerwater is connecting losing your children to Australia's history of the Stolen Generation as Ava is comforted by Indigenous mothers: "There's me beautiful daughter out there somewhere, she had eyes all silver-green, green as gum trees, she'd be old by now, she wouldn't know me, old lost mother with hardly a tooth left. I'm a sad thing."
October 17, 2019
There is an inevitability to Sheerwater that grips the reader like little else out there. There is symbolism, pace, voice, and style in spades here and this is not an easy book to put down. This is a work of pure talent and you are going to HAVE to read it. Trust me.
September 8, 2020
Four stars for the unputdownable suspense in this gripping story. The dread begins with a woman fleeing a bad relationship for a new life in the country, the disappearance of her sons as she stops to help at the scene of a plane crash and then the tension builds as the story hurtles to a cataclysmic end. Some of the supporting characters sat oddly in the story, namely Simon with his psychic premonitions, his brother Caleb and the whole religious element and then there was I guess a tribal elder/ soothsayer thrown in there too. Nonetheless it was a well crafted story with an excellent setting (Victoria’s Great Ocean Road) that tackles the fallout of domestic violence and psychological abuse.
September 10, 2020
Sheer Water (4th Estate Harper Collins) is the debut adult novel for author Leah Swann, although she has published a collection of short stories, a middle-grade series and poetry. Sheer Water is a fast-paced crime novel that I raced through, pausing only to savour the extraordinarily beautiful descriptive sections of prose that punctuate the action.
The story at first appears deceptively simple: Ava and her two young sons, Max and Teddy, are driving to their new home – and their new life – in the sleepy town of Sheerwater. They are obviously running from something, or someone, but what or who is not immediately clear. At any rate, within the first few pages, a light plane crashes onto the highway practically in front of their car and Ava of course decides to stop and render assistance. This opening description – the carnage of the wreckage, the terrible injuries – is heart-stopping and tense. There is smoke, fire and confusion. But other first responders quickly arrive on the scene and Ava is able to return to her car, where she has left Max and Teddy, and their dog, Winks, under strict instructions to stay put.
But her children are not in the car. Only Winks remains.
And so begins the awful search, as Ava tries to establish what could have happened to her sons in those frantic moments, whether they might have run off or been taken, and if so, by a stranger or someone known to them. It is every parent’s worst nightmare. And as the story proceeds, we identify strongly with Ava and her primal instinct to find and protect her boys.
The whole novel takes place over only three desperate days. What is unusual about this book is the structure – the main passages are from Ava’s perspective, but we also hear from the point of view of several others involved in the story, including Max, Simon (a man who is first on the scene to help with the plane crash), and Laurence (Ava’s husband). Swann handles these shifting perspectives really well and allows us glimpses into the minds of the other main characters, while gradually revealing more of the plot. While some of the characters are drawn with a little too much caricature, generally the underlying motivation of their decisions and actions are well-thought out and plausible.
Each of the three days / sections begins with a paragraph or two of beautiful, literary descriptive prose depicting the landscape, the sea, the sky and the birds, particularly the migrating shearwaters. These passages serve to separate and mark the days but are also quite lovely and metaphorical writing.
The ending is shocking and devastating and not at all what I expected.
The story at first appears deceptively simple: Ava and her two young sons, Max and Teddy, are driving to their new home – and their new life – in the sleepy town of Sheerwater. They are obviously running from something, or someone, but what or who is not immediately clear. At any rate, within the first few pages, a light plane crashes onto the highway practically in front of their car and Ava of course decides to stop and render assistance. This opening description – the carnage of the wreckage, the terrible injuries – is heart-stopping and tense. There is smoke, fire and confusion. But other first responders quickly arrive on the scene and Ava is able to return to her car, where she has left Max and Teddy, and their dog, Winks, under strict instructions to stay put.
But her children are not in the car. Only Winks remains.
And so begins the awful search, as Ava tries to establish what could have happened to her sons in those frantic moments, whether they might have run off or been taken, and if so, by a stranger or someone known to them. It is every parent’s worst nightmare. And as the story proceeds, we identify strongly with Ava and her primal instinct to find and protect her boys.
The whole novel takes place over only three desperate days. What is unusual about this book is the structure – the main passages are from Ava’s perspective, but we also hear from the point of view of several others involved in the story, including Max, Simon (a man who is first on the scene to help with the plane crash), and Laurence (Ava’s husband). Swann handles these shifting perspectives really well and allows us glimpses into the minds of the other main characters, while gradually revealing more of the plot. While some of the characters are drawn with a little too much caricature, generally the underlying motivation of their decisions and actions are well-thought out and plausible.
Each of the three days / sections begins with a paragraph or two of beautiful, literary descriptive prose depicting the landscape, the sea, the sky and the birds, particularly the migrating shearwaters. These passages serve to separate and mark the days but are also quite lovely and metaphorical writing.
The ending is shocking and devastating and not at all what I expected.
May 25, 2020
Anna has separated from her husband and has a restraining order. She decides to take their two sons, aged 9 and 4, and to move to a small town four hours drive from Melbourne. But as they near their destination, a small plane crashes into a field near the road and as a former first responder, Anna knows she has the skills to help. So she parks the car and instructs her boys firmly to stay put while she runs to help. Another passer by joins in the rescue efforts and gradually more people show up. When Anna returns to her car, her boys have vanished.
From here the narrative moves between Anna's perspective, Lawrence her ex, Max her son and Simon, the second rescuer on the scene. The plot unfolds over the next three days and gradually we will learn not just what has happened to the children but more about Anna and Lawrence's relationship.
This synopsis sounds like a thriller and it does unfold with pace and tension, but it's literary and more character driven than you might expect. I was very much caught up in this and read it in two sittings. There were just two things I didn't like. There are brief descriptions of the shear water birds who live in the area - I'm not sure what that was for, but it felt out of place and added nothing. Also, when the ending comes - it's brutal - it all wraps up so quickly. I wanted more, I wanted clarification on what had happened and what would happen next.
From here the narrative moves between Anna's perspective, Lawrence her ex, Max her son and Simon, the second rescuer on the scene. The plot unfolds over the next three days and gradually we will learn not just what has happened to the children but more about Anna and Lawrence's relationship.
This synopsis sounds like a thriller and it does unfold with pace and tension, but it's literary and more character driven than you might expect. I was very much caught up in this and read it in two sittings. There were just two things I didn't like. There are brief descriptions of the shear water birds who live in the area - I'm not sure what that was for, but it felt out of place and added nothing. Also, when the ending comes - it's brutal - it all wraps up so quickly. I wanted more, I wanted clarification on what had happened and what would happen next.
March 20, 2020
Holy snapping fudge nuggets this novel is amazing. I got it thrown at me yesterday and told to read it because someone had to do a review and the boss didn’t want to. I expected it to be just another thriller and had low expectations. Instead I ended up in tears while my fiancé looked at me like I had 3 heads.
Why is it such a tearjerker you ask? This book is the literal novelisation of a mothers worst nightmare – the main character endeavours to escape her abusive husband only to have her two sons stolen when she pulls over to help those involved in a light plane crash. As the story unfolds, the reader gains greater insight into how Ava and Laurence ended up where they are and begins to suspect everyone. By the end, I couldn’t help but to relate to this hero of a woman and that ending just crushed me.
Now usually I wouldn’t knowingly read a book about kidnapped children and domestic violence but Sheerwater pulls you in and doesn’t let go until its heartbreaking crescendo. At first it doesn’t seem so bad, I thought maybe she had imagined the kids, or she had left them with someone else and was a tad delusional. Alas I was wrong and the further in I got, the more my brain was alternating between ‘please stop now’ and ‘woman, keep going!’.
It takes place from multiple points of view, including those of the eldest child Max as he describes his surroundings and remembers his parents behaviour, the drunken doctor who is caring for the initial protagonist, from the view of Ava and also the boys abusive father Laurence. The story from one side makes the others opinion seem farcical while some of the chapters of Max while he cares for his little brother Teddy are just heart breaking. I had to put it down at one point and watch an episode of a ridiculous sitcom just to keep going.
So, without ruining this beautifully moving novel, I just have to say that even if you aren’t into thrillers and mysteries, this book is still an amazing read that everyone should have on their TBR. Its moving and sweet but also terrifying and depressing. It will get you in all the feels and leave you broken. But like, in a good way…
Why is it such a tearjerker you ask? This book is the literal novelisation of a mothers worst nightmare – the main character endeavours to escape her abusive husband only to have her two sons stolen when she pulls over to help those involved in a light plane crash. As the story unfolds, the reader gains greater insight into how Ava and Laurence ended up where they are and begins to suspect everyone. By the end, I couldn’t help but to relate to this hero of a woman and that ending just crushed me.
Now usually I wouldn’t knowingly read a book about kidnapped children and domestic violence but Sheerwater pulls you in and doesn’t let go until its heartbreaking crescendo. At first it doesn’t seem so bad, I thought maybe she had imagined the kids, or she had left them with someone else and was a tad delusional. Alas I was wrong and the further in I got, the more my brain was alternating between ‘please stop now’ and ‘woman, keep going!’.
It takes place from multiple points of view, including those of the eldest child Max as he describes his surroundings and remembers his parents behaviour, the drunken doctor who is caring for the initial protagonist, from the view of Ava and also the boys abusive father Laurence. The story from one side makes the others opinion seem farcical while some of the chapters of Max while he cares for his little brother Teddy are just heart breaking. I had to put it down at one point and watch an episode of a ridiculous sitcom just to keep going.
So, without ruining this beautifully moving novel, I just have to say that even if you aren’t into thrillers and mysteries, this book is still an amazing read that everyone should have on their TBR. Its moving and sweet but also terrifying and depressing. It will get you in all the feels and leave you broken. But like, in a good way…
February 7, 2021
This was a fabulous weekend read. It drew me in and had me flipping those pages! I didn’t see that ending coming at all and it was heartbreaking 💔
This beautifully written book is about a mother fleeing her abusive husband to start a new life for herself and her two young boys. When she witnesses a plane crash and rushes to help, she comes back to her car afterwards and discovers that her boys have vanished. What follows is a harrowing search for her missing boys and dangerous and twisted circumstances.
I really enjoyed reading the different points of view throughout this book, especially the viewpoint of Max (the eldest of the two boys) and found Lawrence’s point of view extremely disturbing. It was very interesting to see into the way his mind works.
This was an enjoyable read with beautifully descriptive writing and strong characters, I could hear the roar of the waves and taste the salt of the sea, the imagery was so gorgeously described. I highly recommended this wonderful book.
This beautifully written book is about a mother fleeing her abusive husband to start a new life for herself and her two young boys. When she witnesses a plane crash and rushes to help, she comes back to her car afterwards and discovers that her boys have vanished. What follows is a harrowing search for her missing boys and dangerous and twisted circumstances.
I really enjoyed reading the different points of view throughout this book, especially the viewpoint of Max (the eldest of the two boys) and found Lawrence’s point of view extremely disturbing. It was very interesting to see into the way his mind works.
This was an enjoyable read with beautifully descriptive writing and strong characters, I could hear the roar of the waves and taste the salt of the sea, the imagery was so gorgeously described. I highly recommended this wonderful book.
August 5, 2020
What a read!!! Loved the language and the imagery throughout the writing in this book. I couldn't put it down. Do yourself a favour and read this compelling and exciting thriller.
July 21, 2020
3.5 stars
March 7, 2020
Ava packs up her children, Max (9) and Teddy (4), and secretly leaves for their new home in Sheerwater. They are escaping the physical and psychological abuse of Ava's husband and the children's father, Lawrence. On the way to Sheerwater they see a plane crash and Ava instructs the children to stay in the car while she saves the pilot and gives comfort to a dying women. A man, Simon, who has been tailgating her, assists in saving the plane passengers and it turns out that he is also from Sheerwater. This becomes really creepy when Ava gets back to the car and finds that her boys are missing.
Ava never really doubts however that Laurence has taken the children. This despite his alibi and despite his ability to charm others including her non-supportive mother. Where are the boys? Are they alive? What is Laurence's role in their disappearance? This first novel will have you on the edge of your seat as we wait to see if the boys will make it home alive.
I was deeply impressed with this as a debut novel. It is a quite short novel that explores various themes including domestic violence and the stolen generations. Ms Swann deserves 10 stars for her depiction of how disorienting the tactics of domestic violence are for the victim and how hard to articulate to those on the outside. Even better was her illustration of the world of children of abusive parents. I spent many years working in Child Protection and this might be the best I have ever read. Futhermore, I usually find the depiction of villains to be banal and boring but she has done a wonderful job here too.
On the other hand I found the role of Simon to be confusing and in need of fleshing out. I'm not sure just what his purpose was in the story. I was also deeply sceptical of some of the police comments. I just do not think they would be said, whether or not they were thought. Police officers are very aware of the possibility of complaints. These issues jar the reader out of the story which is unfortunate - because it is such a good story.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Australia,. and Leah Swann for the provision of the ARC in exchange for an independent review.
#NetGalley #HarperCollinsAustralia #Leah Swann @HarperCollinsAustralia
Ava never really doubts however that Laurence has taken the children. This despite his alibi and despite his ability to charm others including her non-supportive mother. Where are the boys? Are they alive? What is Laurence's role in their disappearance? This first novel will have you on the edge of your seat as we wait to see if the boys will make it home alive.
I was deeply impressed with this as a debut novel. It is a quite short novel that explores various themes including domestic violence and the stolen generations. Ms Swann deserves 10 stars for her depiction of how disorienting the tactics of domestic violence are for the victim and how hard to articulate to those on the outside. Even better was her illustration of the world of children of abusive parents. I spent many years working in Child Protection and this might be the best I have ever read. Futhermore, I usually find the depiction of villains to be banal and boring but she has done a wonderful job here too.
On the other hand I found the role of Simon to be confusing and in need of fleshing out. I'm not sure just what his purpose was in the story. I was also deeply sceptical of some of the police comments. I just do not think they would be said, whether or not they were thought. Police officers are very aware of the possibility of complaints. These issues jar the reader out of the story which is unfortunate - because it is such a good story.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Australia,. and Leah Swann for the provision of the ARC in exchange for an independent review.
#NetGalley #HarperCollinsAustralia #Leah Swann @HarperCollinsAustralia
March 15, 2020
I found Sheerwater a sad, emotional, on the edge of your seat story, a page turner and a very small cliffhanger. Almost an inspirational story which is a tale about a young mother who escapes from a turmoiled relationship. After helping people escape from a plane crash, she returns to her car to unfortunately find her two boys go missing. The book is full of twists, turns and mysterious events, a small community binds together to help look for the boys and get the house ready for their return. I like how the novel speaks for the other characters that is involved within the storyline. The ending is a little confusing in understanding on what happened to the young family.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins Publishers Australia through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Run date of 25 February 2020 on Netgalley and Facebook. On 23 March 2020 my review will be posted on Amazon.com.au, Christianbook.com, goodreads, Barnes and Noble, kobo, googlebooks and iBooks. A link to my review is also on my Facebook blog page, is https://www.facebook.com/BlueFalkon95...
#Sheerwater #NetGalley #HarperCollinsAustralia
I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins Publishers Australia through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Run date of 25 February 2020 on Netgalley and Facebook. On 23 March 2020 my review will be posted on Amazon.com.au, Christianbook.com, goodreads, Barnes and Noble, kobo, googlebooks and iBooks. A link to my review is also on my Facebook blog page, is https://www.facebook.com/BlueFalkon95...
#Sheerwater #NetGalley #HarperCollinsAustralia
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