Annie Stanley, All At Sea

by Sue Teddern

Sometimes the end is only the beginning . . .

Annie is single, unemployed and just a bit stuck when her beloved father dies unexpectedly. Furious at his partner’s plans to scatter his ashes somewhere of no emotional significance, Annie seizes the urn and, on a whim, decides to take it on a tour of the thirty-one sea areas that make up the shipping forecast, which her father loved listening to, despite living in landlocked St Albans. Travelling around the coastline of Britain searching for the perfect place to say goodbye, she starts to wonder if it might be time to rethink some of the relationships in her life – but is it too late for second chances?

A novel about love, loss and the importance of living life to the full, Annie Stanley, All at Sea by Sue Teddern is proof that it’s often the most difficult moments in life that show us what really matters.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2021

Reviews

[Figgy]

Review to come, once I figure out some thoughts.

This is the first book I've read in over six months, and I feel like it was a good choice for reintroduction. Not too taxing, but with some emotion (happiness, sadness, urgency, and exhaustion) and a relatable character.

About the time things changed for Annie and she found herself free of the urgency from the start of the book, I found myself also relieved of the urgency, which mean the final quarter to third of the book was read a few days removed from the rest of it.

I'm not sure whether this is a complaint or a sign of good writing, that I went through a lot of the same stages as Annie herself.

[Guylou (Two Dogs and a Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Hello Book Friends! I might have not been in the right set of minds to read ANNE STANLEY, ALL AT SEA by Sue Teddern but I have no regrets. I lost my dad over a year ago and I still miss him terribly. Reading this beautiful story about loss, grief, love, and learning to say “goodbye”, brought so many emotions, and made me shed a few tears while reading. I loved the road trip aspect of the book and I wish I had done something like that for my dad’s ashes. The characters are awesome and believable. I particularly loved Annie and all her quirks. Overall, this is a beautiful and emotional read.

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[Juuli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mõnikord juhtub, et sa loed raamatut just õigel hetkel oma elus. Selle raamatuga just nii läks. Oli hästi palju äratundmisrõõmu. Raamat leinast ja elust, mis pani mind nutma ja naerma. Homme, kui olen mõtteid kogunud, kirjutan pikemalt.

[Kathy Wakeling · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visit the locations in the novel Annie Stanley

Annie is 37, single and unemployed. She’s feeling rudderless. Just bobbing around in the sea of life you might say. When her father dies, she takes his ashes to visit the areas in the Shipping Forecast. He was an avid listener so it’s quite apt. This is the way she feels she should honour her father and not let the stepmother take control. What does she know after all?

I think this was a lovely idea for a novel and it was a quirky if not emotional read. It proves to be quite poignant too as Annie starts to look at herself and think about a lot as she travels. This journey might be for her father but she gets a lot out of it too. As she searches for the best place to lay her father to rest, what she is also doing is leaving behind relationships and thoughts of her past. There are themes of love, loss and everything inbetween but it’s got a heart of gold and will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

The setting of this novel was of course the pull for me. I actually listen to the Shipping Forecast sometimes to relax and so this book appealed for that reason. More importantly though, the idea of a road trip around the Shipping Forecast locations seems like such a fun idea! The author really makes the most of it as you can picture the settings, get a feel for the roadtrip and enjoy it whilst remembering why she is doing it.

The language is fun and quirky. Familiar and friendly and it’s a novel about Annie who opens her heart to the reader. I felt I was with her every step of the way and it was an honour to be there! It’s made me realise that I would actually love to do this for real so if any one has a camper van and a few spare days coming up? haha

A joy and a really unique read that made me smile, cry and think about my own life. We are all Annie Stanley’s in some way and this is a book that will resonate with so many readers.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Stanley is taking time out; she has given up her teaching job, split up with her boyfriend and is spending a lot of time on her sofa. When her father dies suddenly she is, as the title suggests, ‘all at sea’. When she finds out that her father’s partner, Bev, plans to scatter his ashes somewhere that has no significance for her or her sister, Kate, she acts on impulse and steals the urn. She embarks on what becomes a road trip around the coast visiting all the areas mentioned in the shipping forecast. Despite living in landlocked St Albans, her father had been an avid listener to what he called ‘the soundtrack to our lives’ and ‘the poetry of our Isles’ and had even named the cat, Cromarty.
Annie is grieving and needs to find a way to say goodbye that means something to her, which I can totally relate to. What starts as an ill-thought-out impulse, becomes a plan to visit all the coastal areas mentioned in the shipping forecast. As she travels from Cromarty to Forth, Tyne, Dogger and beyond, Annie re-evaluates her life, past and present, and gradually makes peace with herself, and comes to appreciate that, even if just for a short while, Bev was an important part of her father’s life.
The characters are well drawn and believable, a road-trip theme always appeals to me, and each chapter is aptly prefaced with a phrase from the shipping forecast. I had to look up the shipping forecast online to find out where some of the areas were and discovered some beautifully illustrated maps which are well worth a look. I really enjoyed this book, it made me laugh despite the sadness and grief, and look forward to reading whatever Sue Teddern writes next. Thanks to Pan Macmillan, Mantle and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a road trip story and a slightly lost soul who finds their purpose through an unexpected journey. I read this after “meeting” the author virtually in a dress worship group, which is a bit random (even by my standards) but I knew I’d enjoy this from the synopsis.
It’s a warm, funny journey around UK sipping forecast areas undertaken by Annie with her dad’s ashes. Along the way, she meets old friends, and old flames, as well as getting to know her remaining family better.
Sweet, with a heroine to cheer along. I liked this a lot.

[Kitty]

jätsin pooleli üsna varakult, sest esiteks leidsin teiselt leheküljelt rämeda tõlke/toimetusvea ja teiseks tundus lihtsalt jube igav.

[Jaylaw90 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant and enjoyable read and kept me entertained during lunch breaks.

[Artemiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minu mõtted sellest raamatust on siin.

[Moonie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well this was not for me. The writing was dull and dry and the voice actor made it worse! The pacing was so bad and I didn't like the structure of the story. The ONLY reason why I didn't dnf this is because I was listening to the audiobook on 2.5x speed while multitasking (and also I don't like starting books only to end up not finishing them). There was just something about Annie that made her unlikeable. I wasn't invested in the story nor characters. Also, why were some of the chapters in first person while the others were in third person? I suspect it was this, along with another book, that contributed to my reading slump.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Stanley All At Sea is a wonderful book in which the eponymous lead character, having lost her beloved father suddenly, decides to take his ashes on a trip round all the shipping areas surrounding mainland Britain. Her father, despite living in St Alban’s, nowhere near the sea, had a fascination with Radio 4’s shipping forecast and she felt this would be a fitting tribute to him.

I loved the character of Annie even though at times she could be very self-centred and thoughtless. As a reader, I could see that she had used people in the past and often been selfish. As was said to her, she takes something bad and makes it worse. Annie is so wrapped up in her grief for both her parents that she just can’t see this. I think this exploration of the way grief can affect someone will be very recognisable to many readers. Her journey throughout the book was both literal as she circumnavigated the shipping areas and emotional as she visited significant places and people from her past. I particularly liked the way the author put in an occasional chapter set in Annie’s past which gave much more insight into the woman she had become.

The book is full of quirky and interesting characters whether they make brief appearances or are more significant characters. I particularly liked Hilary, the godmother of Annie’s friend Rob, who was rather eccentric and full of life despite her being in her late 70s. She certainly shows it’s never too late to enjoy yourself and she was rather a wise character. I also had a soft spot for Rob’s son Josh, who used to be one of Annie’s pupils.

I adored this book and so enjoyed travelling round the shipping forecast areas with Annie Stanley. Sue Teddern has created such an endearing and memorable character in Annie. I will be recommending this book widely and it is on my list of top reads for this year. Annie Stanley All At Sea is warm, wise, witty and wonderful!

[Leanne Cramond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan UK for the early chance to read this great debut. (Out in July 2021)

What an enjoyable read this is! The characters are drawn perfectly and the story line is thoroughly engaging.

Annie Stanley is 37 and has fallen into a pothole in life. After the death of her mother and breakup with her boyfriend she becomes rudderless and lethargic pushing everyone away, leaving her job and spending her days on the couch. When her father dies suddenly, in a moment of madness, she steals her father’s ashes and sets out on a road trip determined to spread them somewhere he would have wanted and not somewhere her disliked ‘step-mother’ wants.

At first, she has no plan but soon realises that her father was a lifelong listener every morning to the Shipping Forecast even though he had never had anything to do with the sea so she sets out to take his ashes on a journey to all the UK places mentioned. It becomes a journey of self-discovery as she reminisces on her past life and mistakes, runs into old flames and meets new and interesting people.

Her observations and situations are funny as well as enlightening and the ending is perfect. Easily 5 stars and I eagerly look forward to Sue’s next book

[Ly Leek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lõpuks saan rõõmsalt plaksutada - minu suvelugemine on startinud! Ootasin ja valisin raamatuid, mida oleks hea lihtne päeva lõppuded ja nädalavahetusel lugeda, sest paraku - tööandja ei võimalda muud puhkust. A see selleks - mina ei loe töö e-kirju, mis tulevad reedeti pärast 17, vaid avan hoopis raamatu ja seekordne lugemisnauding oli täielik. Ma pole miski gurmaan, aga kui on hea raamat, siis luban sellel oma mõtteid täita ja ei kiirusta läbi lugema. Niisiis Annie Stanley. Mulle meeldis tema karakter ja see, et kõik, mis ta tegi, läks tavaliselt veelgi halvemaks. Nagu päris eluski. Tahad parimat, aga välja kukub nagu alati - keskmiselt eestimaine. Ok, võibolla ma teen liiga. Lõpeks läks ju ikka paremini ka. Surm ja elu käsikäes. Loomulik duo.
Mind imponeeris Annie julgus alustada üksi teekonda tundmatusse. Mina ei julge. Veel ei julge. Samas - peaks harjutama ja end ületama, sest ka üksi on vahva reisida. Igatahes Annie seda teeb ja veel mismoodi :D Loo juures köitiski see, et kõik oli ehe ja aus. Ja ma armastan seda kiiksuga huumorit ja kirjanikke, kes seda suurepäraselt valdavad. Sue Teddern - 10 points!

[Pan Macmillan Australia]

What an enjoyable read this is! The characters are drawn perfectly and the storyline is thoroughly engaging.

Annie Stanley is 37 and has fallen into a pothole in life. After the death of her mother and break up with her boyfriend she becomes rudderless and lethargic pushing everyone away, leaving her job and spending her days on the couch. When her father dies suddenly, in a moment of madness, she steals her father’s ashes and sets out on a road trip determined to spread them somewhere he would have wanted and not somewhere her disliked ‘step-mother’ wants.

At first, she has no plan but soon realises that her father was a lifelong listener every morning to the Shipping Forecast even though he had never had anything to do with the sea so she sets out to take his ashes on a journey to all the UK places mentioned. It becomes a journey of self-discovery as she reminisces on her past life and mistakes, runs into old flames and meets new and interesting people.

Her observations and situations are funny as well as enlightening and the ending is perfect. Easily 5 stars and I eagerly look forward to Sue’s next book.

- Leanne

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Annie and her trip around the British Isles carrying the dead ashes of her father, is told with such emotional intelligence, understanding of narrative and gentle humour, it’s impossible not to be won over by this ‘first-time novelist’.

That said, dig a little deeper into Sue Teddern’s bio and it becomes clear why this is such a pitch-perfect read. She has experience of working on TV and radio dramas and sitcoms, so is not really new to storytelling, but instead turning her existing skills to a new genre.

The work in radio shows too - the narrator is SUPERB and I can’t help but think Sue must have handpicked her.

Original yet comfortingly familiar, this is the perfect autumnal audiobook, dealing as it does with life and death and the cycles of life. I have been ironing and listening to it over the bank holiday at the end of August, and enjoying every moment.

[Tracy Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved 'Annie Stanley, All At Sea' by Sue Teddern, once started I couldn't stop reading. Annie's a complex character, funny but also annoying at times in her decisions but ultimately she's very relatable and you end up rooting for her. I enjoyed spending time with Annie 'sailing' around the British Isles on her quest to visit the shipping news regions along with her dad's ashes. I laughed a lot and cried too, when Annie loses her Star Wars suitcase that brought the tears for me.
Sue Teddern has been a successful scriptwriter for most of her career and this shows in her writing and the novel's structure, she really knows her to start and finish a chapter and keep the reader hooked. Great story and writing throughout.
This is the perfect book to curl up with on a wet weekend (or any time) and the hours will rush away.

[Kate Galley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Such a fast paced and fun read with some lovely settings on the way.
I'm a huge fan of road trip books, and Annie Stanley. All At Sea, hits all the sweet spots of its genre. Annie is a great character and some of her antics (maybe more than I'd admit to) are so relatable. After her father dies she makes a rash decision to pinch his ashes from his partner's house and take him on a trip of the Shipping Forecast locations- something that held great meaning for him.

The book is about love and loss, and friendships, old and new. It was great fun to follow Annie on her journey, both emotional and physical.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

[Corina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this novel enjoyable. You can't help but root for Annie Stanley even if her life is a complete mess. Annie's life changed in so many ways when her mother died. She spends her time eating junk food and watching Netflix. She's given up on her teaching career and the love of her life. When Annie's father suddenly dies, her life becomes even more chaotic. In a fit of anger, Annie steals her father's ashes from his partner. Annie's father always enjoyed listening to the shipping forecast, so Annie decides to take her father's ashes on a tour of the Black Isle. Annie's life on this journey is still chaotic and unpredictable but as she travels she begins to come to gripes with the loss of her parents.

[Cath Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, touching and heartfelt read. Annie is such a likeable character, with just the right balance of chaos and gumption to leap off the page and be true to life, and the way she tackles the challenges of her life are almost painfully relatable. The light comic touches used to talk about much darker subjects, like grief and mental health issues, keep things fun to read, without morphing into either the morose or slapstick; it really feels written by someone who has been there themselves (especially the Pringles shaped container with the woodland on which I suspect many of us know well!). Overall a lovely book to curl up with and dream of coastal journeys with those we love.

[Catsalive · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the travelling but Annie was so wet that I nearly gave up after the first 40 pages. It did pick up & I ended up enjoying it. I do appreciate that grief was getting the better of her, but she's 37, not 17, so should have had some insight into her own motives.

I loved her relationship with Josh, such a great boy, & I envied her travels around the coast of the UK. She was surrounded by good people & didn't appreciate any of them. Yes, grief & depression can make idiots of us all, but Annie needed grabbing by the lapels & shaking until her teeth rattled.

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Stanley is very much all at sea. After the death of her mother and now the death of her father, she is floundering as to be expected. She makes some bad decisions in the past, but maybe the decision to steal her dad's ashes may have been the best one she's made.
Annie goes on a trip with her dad, following the shipping forecast, which helps her find both herself again and forge better relationships.
This is a lovely heartwarming book, I felt for Annie, her struggles, her grief and I was cheering her on as I read the book.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because it was chosen as our book club read for September. It sounded like an interesting premise for a book, so I wasn't too unhappy with the choice. Once I started reading though, I was definitely sold. I found Annie's journey around the shipping forecast areas with her Dad's ashes funny, sad, relatable and thoroughly enjoyable, even if I did shed a tear or two when memories of my own parents washed over me at times. Definitely recommended.

[Glenys Bichan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Lockdown read. I loved Annie's relationship with her Dad and her journey into making worse things better. Nice travel around the UK as well, which was great tucked up in my lounge in Aotearoa.
This is a story about loss and restoration, travel and discovery, and it made me want to call my Mum and Dad and listen to their voice on the phone- because I can!

[Kelly Callaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story.

Peter, Annie and Kate’s father died unexpectedly. His partner, Bev, suggests scattering his ashes in Austria. But Annie is having none of that! Peter loved the Shipping Forecast and Annie decides to take her father’s ashes around the places mentioned in the Forecast. One the trip we find about about Annie and Kate’s lives. Is there an opportunity for a second chance?

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked all the characters in this book. Each one had their own ‘moment’ and were woven into Annie’s journey in a beautiful way. It’s a fun light hearted read but also deals with everyday problems. I would definitely recommend this!

[Laura Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming book. I absolutely loved travelling round the British Isles with Annie, meeting old flames, grumpy (but fabulous) older women and other assorted, excellent characters. Sue Teddern's quirky debut is a lively joy from start to finish.

[Ms Eclectic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story, gentle and with hidden depths. The characters are well drawn, the plot interesting and the theme of grief handled kindly and respectfully.

I loved this story and couldn’t put it down.
4.5 stars

[Elizabeth Choi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, so initially I found it a bit difficult to listen to everyone sounding so stressed out at the start of the book. But the premise and soon-formed attachment to the characters kept me going, and by the end, I loved this book!

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically well written - and it had that experience you only get with a real paper book when you can see you’re nearly at the end and you can’t see how the author can possibly tie up all the loose ends