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المد العالي
“إذا وافقتِ علي أن تعيشي حياتَكِ معكوسة؛ ستصبح لديكِ القُدرَةُ على إعادةِ حبيبِكِ الذي مات صغيرًا للحياة، فقط لا ترفعي من آمالِكِ. اجتماعُكما في مفترق الطرق هذا سيستمر لحوالي عشرين دقيقة، لا أكثر.َ بعدها، سيمضي هو نحو الشَّيخوخَة، أمَّا أنتِ، فستعودين لمرحلة الطفولة.”
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
19 people are currently reading
1255 people want to read
About the author
Inga Ābele
31 books77 followersInga Ābele is a Latvian novelist, poet, and playwright. Her novel High Tide received the 2008 Latvian Literature Award, and the 2009 Baltic Assembly Award in Literature. Her works have been translated into Swedish, English, French, and Russian, among others, and have appeared in such anthologies as New European Poets, Best European Fiction 2010, and Short Stories without Borders: Young Writers for a New Europe. Her most recent book, Ants and Bumblebees, is a collection of short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 30, 2024
"في لحظات كهذه، يبدو كل من الحياة والموت هامشيين. ويمزق ألم شديد قلبه. لا، ليس ألماً خالصاً، بل هو نوع من اللي. حبل مجدول من الوجع والاشتياق والغضب والأمل والرهبة، يمتد عميقاً جداً حتى يضيق صدره بأكمله."
بدأت هذه الرواية بشكل مُبهم، وفصل سريالي بحت، ثم تشكلت القصة والشخصيات، وأصبحت الأمور تتجه إلى شيئاً من الفهم، ثم عدنا مرة أخرى للسريالية والغموض والمشي بلا خطوات، تقرأ وتشعر أنك لم تقرأ شيئاً، تتعدد الحكايات وعلى الرغم من جاذبية بعضها فلا تجد نفسك مُجملاً مُلماً بأحداث الرواية، وهكذا تصبح الرواية تدور في دوائر من الفرص الضائعة، حتى أعلنت استسلامي، وأوقفت نفسي عن المتابعة، أحياناً أُحب أن اختبر صبري، وفاقت الرواية الحد المسموح به أو الذي أصبحت أسمح به، تجربة أولى لاتفية سيئة، وكالعادة تسمع عن الرواية أنها نالت جوائز عديدة ومتميزة، فربما يكون لها مُتذوقيها، أما أنا فلم أكن واحداً منهم. الترجمة تبدو جيدة رغم بعض الأخطاء اللغوية التي ربما تكون أخطاء طباعة واضحة، وأحياناً لا تكون كذلك.
إجمالاً؛ لم تُكتب هذه الرواية لي.
December 29, 2020
Existence asks too much of a person, too much of this complicated structure, this ball of nerves with a heart, brain, and eyes—how can it forget? It’s an endless struggle, a whirlwind of activity, tendencies, thoughts, instincts, responsibilities—and if not those, then at least the slightest inkling of them now and then.
[...]
How does that first crack in the structure of a person’s life form? Is it the moment when assumed moral obligation is replaced by reality?
When the clouds start to paint, the sun grows overcast.
[...]
How does that first crack in the structure of a person’s life form? Is it the moment when assumed moral obligation is replaced by reality?
When the clouds start to paint, the sun grows overcast.
January 6, 2021
"Šķiršanās ir daļa no satikšanās," teic I. Ābele "Paisuma" lappusēs. Lūk, ir pienācis mans laiks šķirties no šīs grāmatas, kas izdzīvoja, dzīvoja ar mani cauri gadu mijai. Tā ir poētiska un filozofiska grāmata, kas mazāk ierauj notikumos, vairāk pārdomās par dzīvi, laika straumi, nāvi, piedzimšanu, par atdošanos mūžīgajam TAGAD, kas izdodas tikai retajam. Brīvības meklējumi ir šīs grāmatas atslēgas vārdi. Nezinu, vai atcerēšos, par ko tā bija, bet sajūtas un noskaņas paliks ar mani.
March 18, 2016
I totally forgot I hadn't written a review of this. And I didn't make any notes. And I've read eight books since I finished it and now I'm really struggling to come up with anything that might resemble a passable review. Aargh! I suppose the important thing is that I loved it. Translated beautifully from the original Latvian, the story charts the life of a woman named Ieva, and is told in reverse chronological order (loosely; it jumps around a bit). It isn't a plot-led story, more a backwards journey through the development of Ieva's character. The image of a high tide works as a recurring metaphor, representing different things to different characters, most often a momentous, life-changing event - and each section of Ieva's story slowly uncovers one of these, very gradually showing the reader how her experiences have shaped her. It is also a mystery and a love story; the romance (though 'romance' seems far too weak a word) between Ieva and Aksels is a rare example of such a storyline done wonderfully right. Ābele captures the exhausting, exhilarating madness of passionate love effortlessly.
I've read that Ābele is a poet and playwright as well as a writer of fiction, and that sense of lyricism and drama certainly seems to have crept into the winding, playful style of High Tide. The closest English-language equivalents I can think of are Ali Smith's How to be both (and I think fans of Smith would like this book), and The Natashas by Yelena Moskovich, also a playwright (though High Tide lacks the surrealism of Moskovich's novel, and is stronger and more stirring for it). The language is so remarkable, I gave up trying to write down quotes - you really have to experience the whole thing. Read just before I went on holiday to Latvia, this was a wonderful introduction to the literature of the country. I hope more translations of Ābele's work are forthcoming; if High Tide is a representative sample, I'd love to read her other novels and stories.
I've read that Ābele is a poet and playwright as well as a writer of fiction, and that sense of lyricism and drama certainly seems to have crept into the winding, playful style of High Tide. The closest English-language equivalents I can think of are Ali Smith's How to be both (and I think fans of Smith would like this book), and The Natashas by Yelena Moskovich, also a playwright (though High Tide lacks the surrealism of Moskovich's novel, and is stronger and more stirring for it). The language is so remarkable, I gave up trying to write down quotes - you really have to experience the whole thing. Read just before I went on holiday to Latvia, this was a wonderful introduction to the literature of the country. I hope more translations of Ābele's work are forthcoming; if High Tide is a representative sample, I'd love to read her other novels and stories.
June 29, 2012
This is a pretty spectacular book. It relates--in reveres--the life-story of Ieva, tracing backwards from her present state of uncertainty and depression through the death of her lover, birth of her daughter, her trip abroad, etc. On a line-by-line level, the writing is incredible: sensitive, evocative, and sharp. And although it doesn't have the annoying "figure it out" sort of gamesmanship of a Memento or Irreversible, it's interesting to hit the point where everything from the beginning of the book snaps into place and suddenly makes complete sense--this is much richer experience than I was expecting . . .
We're going to be publishing this book, so I am a bit obviously biased, but the translation by Kaija Straumanis is fantastic. The only thing missing from the English manuscript is a table of contents . . . (Kidding. In joke. Sorry.)
We're going to be publishing this book, so I am a bit obviously biased, but the translation by Kaija Straumanis is fantastic. The only thing missing from the English manuscript is a table of contents . . . (Kidding. In joke. Sorry.)
July 29, 2016
High Tide is told in an interesting reverse chronological time frame that I really enjoyed. There were a number of things that were quite confusing but I basically had to tell myself to not worry about it too much because I would get the answers farther in. There was one thing that really puzzled me and I'm hoping that my group discussion can help me.
The book primarily follows a Latvian woman named Ieva through a series of regressive steps through her life. It also brings in her husband as a POV character at one point, as well as the character that puzzled me. Ieva is an elderly woman who is ill and dying at the beginning of the book. It shows her daughter being quite cruel and verbally abusive, which is actually a bit hard to take, especially when you're seeing that Ieva is completely aware of what's going on. Then you follow her back in time step by step until you have the answers.
This technique was fascinating because you thought that you had all of the answers already because you started at the end of her life. However, over the course of the book, there were some significant shocks and moments of enlightenment. It was an interesting technique and it was very well done.
This book was quite a find and I couldn't recommend it enough. I sat and read the whole thing through today because it was too engrossing to put down.
How does that first crack in the structure of a person's life form? Is it the moment when assumed moral obligation is replaced by reality?
The book primarily follows a Latvian woman named Ieva through a series of regressive steps through her life. It also brings in her husband as a POV character at one point, as well as the character that puzzled me. Ieva is an elderly woman who is ill and dying at the beginning of the book. It shows her daughter being quite cruel and verbally abusive, which is actually a bit hard to take, especially when you're seeing that Ieva is completely aware of what's going on. Then you follow her back in time step by step until you have the answers.
This technique was fascinating because you thought that you had all of the answers already because you started at the end of her life. However, over the course of the book, there were some significant shocks and moments of enlightenment. It was an interesting technique and it was very well done.
This book was quite a find and I couldn't recommend it enough. I sat and read the whole thing through today because it was too engrossing to put down.
How does that first crack in the structure of a person's life form? Is it the moment when assumed moral obligation is replaced by reality?
October 23, 2019
Ļoti ābeliska grāmata, bet vienlaikus arī pirmā viņas grāmata, kas man patiešām ir patikusi. Varbūt turēšanās pie realitātes ir mazliet piebremzējusi melodramatismu un vēlmi pārvērst visu staignā dzejā
June 27, 2025
Had I not first read the Goodreads description, I think I would have been very confused. The timeline for this novel is in reverse order. It opens with a woman being the caregiver for her aging mother. The mother is incontinent and has little speech capability. The woman has to go to work everyday. It isn't until later in the novel that I realize who these women are/were. When I did come to recognize them, I appreciated it much more than I did when I actually read that chapter. We are given the younger adulthood of the daughter in the opening scene and her relationships, both with her family and her love life.
I don't think I'd want to read many novels where the ending is given before the beginning, nor even before the middle for that matter. Let me just say it worked here.
The characterizations are not fully fleshed. The plot isn't necessarily compelling given the reverse format. I was intrigued to be reading what came before is perhaps the best way I can put it. And so, the third element I nearly always mention: writing style. Hands down, the writing carried this novel. Sometimes I wonder if what I've read is the result of a good translation. It's hard for me to believe the translation improved the quality of the original. I say that because if the translator is that good, she should be writing her own novels and take the writing credit rather than the translator credit.
I didn't like all of this. For example, there were some parts that had more philosphizing than I wanted. The time period covers about 50 years and I think that was about 20 years too many. I'm going to go out on a limb and make sure this has 4-stars without my thinking I'll ever want to read another by this author. I admit that's an unusual take for me. Maybe I've exaggerated the rating ... and maybe not.
I don't think I'd want to read many novels where the ending is given before the beginning, nor even before the middle for that matter. Let me just say it worked here.
The characterizations are not fully fleshed. The plot isn't necessarily compelling given the reverse format. I was intrigued to be reading what came before is perhaps the best way I can put it. And so, the third element I nearly always mention: writing style. Hands down, the writing carried this novel. Sometimes I wonder if what I've read is the result of a good translation. It's hard for me to believe the translation improved the quality of the original. I say that because if the translator is that good, she should be writing her own novels and take the writing credit rather than the translator credit.
I didn't like all of this. For example, there were some parts that had more philosphizing than I wanted. The time period covers about 50 years and I think that was about 20 years too many. I'm going to go out on a limb and make sure this has 4-stars without my thinking I'll ever want to read another by this author. I admit that's an unusual take for me. Maybe I've exaggerated the rating ... and maybe not.
November 13, 2019
sāku lasīt ar lielu skepsi, jo man nepatīk latviešu literatūra, izņemot atsevišķus darbus. Nu tiem pievienojas arī šis. Negaidīju, ka ieraus un liks lapas šķirt uz priekšu arī tad, ja ir zināmas beigas.
Ja nebūtu grāmata jāizlasa divu dienu laikā, iespējams, bagāto valodu un varoņu domu plūsmas izbaudītu vairāk.
Ja nebūtu grāmata jāizlasa divu dienu laikā, iespējams, bagāto valodu un varoņu domu plūsmas izbaudītu vairāk.
February 5, 2013
Read and edited this intense book over the summer while working for Open Letter. A beautiful backwards-flowing narrative that weaves the stories of one woman's loves in and around life with all its complexities, the different faces, the different types of love, the love that is sad, the love that kills, the love that overflows, the sexual love, the pure love.
A remarkable book, can't wait to see it in print, fully edited. And, to wit, the first Latvian book I ever read, and I'm curious to read more, more, more. Come on, Kaija, get to translating some more.
A remarkable book, can't wait to see it in print, fully edited. And, to wit, the first Latvian book I ever read, and I'm curious to read more, more, more. Come on, Kaija, get to translating some more.
March 16, 2025
4.75
Geschreven in een hele bijzondere structuur die het boek enorm complimenteert, het boek is bijna geen verhaal en draait om de ijzersterke karakters en ongelooflijk goede atmosfeer. Deze zou op het lijstje favorieten mogen.
Geschreven in een hele bijzondere structuur die het boek enorm complimenteert, het boek is bijna geen verhaal en draait om de ijzersterke karakters en ongelooflijk goede atmosfeer. Deze zou op het lijstje favorieten mogen.
October 20, 2023
According to Wikipedia, Latvia ranks second, after Switzerland, based on the environmental performance of the country's policies.
Now to the book. Gloomy. Bleak. Depressing.
I read this as part of my book club that "traveled" to Latvia. When I started reading this book last month, I was confused by what was happening and the thoughts of the narrator were so depressing that I put it down and read A Prayer for Owen Meany instead. Four weeks later, I finished A Prayer for Owen Meany and returned to the "High Tide" again. This time vowing to persist.
The book was still depressing, but I slowly started to grasp Ieva's tribulations. Her grandmother, who raised her just died. We soon learn that her boyfriend Aksel is also dead and was killed by her (ex) husband Andrej, who is in jail. Ieva visits him these days and her mother reprimands her for that. But Ieva shares a daughter with Andrej, Monta, who suffered growing up in a very unusual household and hasn't seen her father since he got locked up.
Each chapter brings us back to the past; the book ends with Ieva's birth. I guess the author tried to show us that Ieva's troubles are the consequences of a number of things that happened to her since she was a teenager. Although this narrative style is interesting, it was often very unclear about what was going on and I had to constantly remind myself that we were back in the past.
At the end of the book, I felt like I missed a lot at the beginning. But I don't feel like reading this book again, because it's so bleak. I still feel unsettled and a bit bewildered by what I just read. Finally, I recommend anyone who wants to read this book, to actually read the physical book and not the electronic version like I did. This way it will be easier to look up on some pages in the beginning.
June 29, 2016
The author has produced a very different book. It is bleak, atmospheric, a feeling of hopelessness.
It is also structurally presented in an almost reverse order as Ieva, her husband and lover's story is revealed.
It is also structurally presented in an almost reverse order as Ieva, her husband and lover's story is revealed.
November 18, 2023
A very smooth novel!
December 25, 2015
3.5 zvaigzņotās zvaigznes
''Katram,kurš klātienē vērojis cilvēku dzimstam vai mirstam, kļūst skaidrs, ka dzīve nebūt nav joks. To var un vajag uztvert kā labu, izdevušos joku, bet pēc būtības tas nav joks.
Ja tevi sasniedzis gaismas kūlis, izrāvis no tumsas, tas ir nopietni.''
Tā kā pēc ļoti ilgiem laikiem biju nolēmusi, ka vajadzētu pārmaiņas pēc izlasīt arī kaut ko dzimtajā valodā, un pie reizes biju sagadījusies bibliotēkā un nebija nekas no I.Žoludes (kas bija mana pirmā izvēle), tad mani uzrunāja šī grāmata. Jāsaka, ka šoreiz diezgan lielu lomu nospēlēja ne tikai grāmatas autore, bet arī grāmatas vizuālais noformējums (kas noteikti nevēsta neko īpaši labu par lasītāju,lol).
Bet nu par grāmatu. Galvenā varone ir Ieva, ap kuru tad arī viss grāmatā grozās - no paša sākuma līdz beigām. Otrā plāna galvenie varoņi ir Andrejs un Aksels, kuri spēlē divus no galvenajiem vīriešiem Ievas dzīvē. Grāmatā pārsvarā tiek apskatīts Ievas dzīves gājums no bērnības līdz mūsdienām - problēmas un pārdzīvojumi bērnībā, laimes un nelaimes, veiksmes un neveiksmes, kā arī daudz un dažādu kļūdu (no kurām daudzas pēcāk nebija labojamas). Un te, nu, jāpiemin lielākais šīs grāmatas mind-fuck - grāmata reāli sākas ar Ievu mūsdienās, kkur pa ceļam palēkā uz priekšu un atpakaļ, bet beidzās ar galvenās varones piedzimšanas brīdi!!! WTF? ^_^
Par šo gājienu, manuprāt, autore ir pelnījusi varen lielu cepumu, ne tikai izdomas, bet arī izpildījuma pēc - tagad atskatoties uz grāmatu ir grūti tā strikti noteikt un atsevišķi nodalīt lielu daļu tagadnes, pagātnes un vēl senākas pagātnes notikumus, jo visi savijušies kopā, bet beigās vienalga radījuši diezgan loģisku "otrādāk stāstīta stāsta" sajūtu (if that makes sense). Tā ka tādēl vien noteikti ir vērts pievērsties šai grāmatai.
Vēl plusiņu no manis autore dabūja par skaisto rakstības stilu - man kā poētikas un māksliniecisko izteiksmes līdzekļu mīļotājai, nu, ļoti gāja pie sirds.
Tas, kas man savukārt tik ļoti negāja pie sirds bija vispārējā (un latviešu darbiem raksturīgā) tumšā un depresīvā noskaņa, ko aizpilda dzaudz un dažādas dzerstīšanās un vulgāru , nepatīkamu, "man-nav-robežu" cilvēku uzdarbošanās. Zinu, ka tāda tā ikdiena mēdz būt, it īpaši tādā sabiedrībā, kādā Ieva mēdza iemaldīties, bet tas manas sajūtas nemaina. Savukārt Ievai kā galvenajai varonei man vairākas reizes gribējās iesist ar sniega lāpstu par viņas naivumu un vēlmi (vai sagadīšanos) sapīties ar nepareizajiem cilvēkiem, nepareizajās vietās un tad pieņemt nepareizākos lēmumus vai vienkārši "go with the flow". Ir jau tā, ka katrs mācās no savām kļūdām, bet tad taču nevajag katru rītu kāpt uz tā paša grābekļa.
Visumā - iesaku izlasīt kaut vai tikai grāmatas struktūras un izmantotās valodas/stila dēļ un piemeigt acis uz to, ka varbūt par galvenajiem varoņiem baigi fanot negribēsies; kā arī tad, ja gribas palasīt kaut ko no kaut cik sakarīgās latviešu literatūras, jo grāmata ir pietiekami spēcīga un filozofiski dziļa, lai gan pašai top mīļāko grāmatu sarakstā šī neiekāpa un vēlreiz, visticamāk, tai klāt neķeršos, BET Ingu Ābeli gan turpināšu lasīt! :)
''Katram,kurš klātienē vērojis cilvēku dzimstam vai mirstam, kļūst skaidrs, ka dzīve nebūt nav joks. To var un vajag uztvert kā labu, izdevušos joku, bet pēc būtības tas nav joks.
Ja tevi sasniedzis gaismas kūlis, izrāvis no tumsas, tas ir nopietni.''
Tā kā pēc ļoti ilgiem laikiem biju nolēmusi, ka vajadzētu pārmaiņas pēc izlasīt arī kaut ko dzimtajā valodā, un pie reizes biju sagadījusies bibliotēkā un nebija nekas no I.Žoludes (kas bija mana pirmā izvēle), tad mani uzrunāja šī grāmata. Jāsaka, ka šoreiz diezgan lielu lomu nospēlēja ne tikai grāmatas autore, bet arī grāmatas vizuālais noformējums (kas noteikti nevēsta neko īpaši labu par lasītāju,lol).
Bet nu par grāmatu. Galvenā varone ir Ieva, ap kuru tad arī viss grāmatā grozās - no paša sākuma līdz beigām. Otrā plāna galvenie varoņi ir Andrejs un Aksels, kuri spēlē divus no galvenajiem vīriešiem Ievas dzīvē. Grāmatā pārsvarā tiek apskatīts Ievas dzīves gājums no bērnības līdz mūsdienām - problēmas un pārdzīvojumi bērnībā, laimes un nelaimes, veiksmes un neveiksmes, kā arī daudz un dažādu kļūdu (no kurām daudzas pēcāk nebija labojamas). Un te, nu, jāpiemin lielākais šīs grāmatas mind-fuck - grāmata reāli sākas ar Ievu mūsdienās, kkur pa ceļam palēkā uz priekšu un atpakaļ, bet beidzās ar galvenās varones piedzimšanas brīdi!!! WTF? ^_^
Par šo gājienu, manuprāt, autore ir pelnījusi varen lielu cepumu, ne tikai izdomas, bet arī izpildījuma pēc - tagad atskatoties uz grāmatu ir grūti tā strikti noteikt un atsevišķi nodalīt lielu daļu tagadnes, pagātnes un vēl senākas pagātnes notikumus, jo visi savijušies kopā, bet beigās vienalga radījuši diezgan loģisku "otrādāk stāstīta stāsta" sajūtu (if that makes sense). Tā ka tādēl vien noteikti ir vērts pievērsties šai grāmatai.
Vēl plusiņu no manis autore dabūja par skaisto rakstības stilu - man kā poētikas un māksliniecisko izteiksmes līdzekļu mīļotājai, nu, ļoti gāja pie sirds.
Tas, kas man savukārt tik ļoti negāja pie sirds bija vispārējā (un latviešu darbiem raksturīgā) tumšā un depresīvā noskaņa, ko aizpilda dzaudz un dažādas dzerstīšanās un vulgāru , nepatīkamu, "man-nav-robežu" cilvēku uzdarbošanās. Zinu, ka tāda tā ikdiena mēdz būt, it īpaši tādā sabiedrībā, kādā Ieva mēdza iemaldīties, bet tas manas sajūtas nemaina. Savukārt Ievai kā galvenajai varonei man vairākas reizes gribējās iesist ar sniega lāpstu par viņas naivumu un vēlmi (vai sagadīšanos) sapīties ar nepareizajiem cilvēkiem, nepareizajās vietās un tad pieņemt nepareizākos lēmumus vai vienkārši "go with the flow". Ir jau tā, ka katrs mācās no savām kļūdām, bet tad taču nevajag katru rītu kāpt uz tā paša grābekļa.
Visumā - iesaku izlasīt kaut vai tikai grāmatas struktūras un izmantotās valodas/stila dēļ un piemeigt acis uz to, ka varbūt par galvenajiem varoņiem baigi fanot negribēsies; kā arī tad, ja gribas palasīt kaut ko no kaut cik sakarīgās latviešu literatūras, jo grāmata ir pietiekami spēcīga un filozofiski dziļa, lai gan pašai top mīļāko grāmatu sarakstā šī neiekāpa un vēlreiz, visticamāk, tai klāt neķeršos, BET Ingu Ābeli gan turpināšu lasīt! :)
December 4, 2013
A lyrcial book.
The language in this book is quite lovely. You can feel the city move.... the frigid air... the emptiness... Yet I felt it slightly overwhelming.
The first part of the book titled, the the beginning, was almost the end. Abele tries so hard to convey a feeling and instead felt so completely isolated by this chapter. It's like one constant metaphor sentence after sentence, until the words mean nothing. I stopped mid-chapter and about a month later decided to just skipped the last few pages and jumped to Gathering.
I was incredibly nervous about this book, it is a heavyweight champion of dense language. I feel like Abele really wanted to isolate the character Ieva and she succeeds beyond belief. I never attached myself to Ivea, she would either be making nothing of out something or something out of nothing. Like a yoyo of confusion.
The story is rather beautiful, the language used to describe the weather and the scenery were my favorite parts. I think I enjoyed Monta's chapter and even Andrejs' chapter over Ieva's story. I suppose it is the way those chapters are written what I had enjoyed. The story is so complex yet I felt, one could follow it in its reverse order. There are many moments of anger, sympathy, disgust, confusion, and sadness and it bounces from character to character. There's no a single character in this book I felt the same way about as the story progressed.
I did enjoy the unfolding of the story with these little teasers and snippets enough to want to wade through the pages of words to find out a little more. And things are very complicated. You never feel redemption for the Characters or even a sense of closure since the book ends as the characters lives begin. Maybe it's a little unsettling or unnerving to think about, but it's not a terrible way to feel after a book ends. It's almost like you could start the book over again and read the first few parts and then you'd get the feeling of an ending.
And I found it surprising how I was trying to jump to conclusions to solve this little "mystery" and how it wouldn't be right because Ieva was just so unpredictable and even more unreliable. At least one gets to find out the story of Ieva's and Andrejs' marriage and how Askels comes in then out of the picture.
despite the sheer amount of weight in words this book has, it was an interesting read. I enjoyed it but it took several months to complete. I think I was more scared to read the book than it ended up being and once I decided to pick up the book I'd get through a nice chunk. Try not to be scared off by the intense descriptive language or the sense of isolation because I think you will find a little gem of a story there. And I am sure the book wouldn't be the same without the text as it is. I tend to enjoy books where I enjoy the protagonist but I think that Ieva often becomes the antagonist and the only one left to root for was poor Monta.
The language in this book is quite lovely. You can feel the city move.... the frigid air... the emptiness... Yet I felt it slightly overwhelming.
The first part of the book titled, the the beginning, was almost the end. Abele tries so hard to convey a feeling and instead felt so completely isolated by this chapter. It's like one constant metaphor sentence after sentence, until the words mean nothing. I stopped mid-chapter and about a month later decided to just skipped the last few pages and jumped to Gathering.
I was incredibly nervous about this book, it is a heavyweight champion of dense language. I feel like Abele really wanted to isolate the character Ieva and she succeeds beyond belief. I never attached myself to Ivea, she would either be making nothing of out something or something out of nothing. Like a yoyo of confusion.
The story is rather beautiful, the language used to describe the weather and the scenery were my favorite parts. I think I enjoyed Monta's chapter and even Andrejs' chapter over Ieva's story. I suppose it is the way those chapters are written what I had enjoyed. The story is so complex yet I felt, one could follow it in its reverse order. There are many moments of anger, sympathy, disgust, confusion, and sadness and it bounces from character to character. There's no a single character in this book I felt the same way about as the story progressed.
I did enjoy the unfolding of the story with these little teasers and snippets enough to want to wade through the pages of words to find out a little more. And things are very complicated. You never feel redemption for the Characters or even a sense of closure since the book ends as the characters lives begin. Maybe it's a little unsettling or unnerving to think about, but it's not a terrible way to feel after a book ends. It's almost like you could start the book over again and read the first few parts and then you'd get the feeling of an ending.
And I found it surprising how I was trying to jump to conclusions to solve this little "mystery" and how it wouldn't be right because Ieva was just so unpredictable and even more unreliable. At least one gets to find out the story of Ieva's and Andrejs' marriage and how Askels comes in then out of the picture.
despite the sheer amount of weight in words this book has, it was an interesting read. I enjoyed it but it took several months to complete. I think I was more scared to read the book than it ended up being and once I decided to pick up the book I'd get through a nice chunk. Try not to be scared off by the intense descriptive language or the sense of isolation because I think you will find a little gem of a story there. And I am sure the book wouldn't be the same without the text as it is. I tend to enjoy books where I enjoy the protagonist but I think that Ieva often becomes the antagonist and the only one left to root for was poor Monta.
February 5, 2013
I'm clearly entirely biased about this book, but it is one of the books I fall more and more in love with the more I read it. Definitely not a "simple" narrative style, it requires the reader's dedication to see what comes next in the story—and what comes next just builds and builds on the payoff you receive for moving forward with the text.
HIGH TIDE has always been a difficult book for me to describe because that is the nature of the book itself (which is one of my favorite things about it). The story moves more or less backward in time and follows Ieva, her estranged husband Andrejs, their daughter Monta, and Ieva's lover Aksels, chronicling Ieva's life after Aksels's death, their life together, and life before him, when all she knew was the seaside, Andrejs, and their newborn daughter.
The book itself works in a smoothly chaotic (not unlike the tide, hmm?) structure, rarely repeats itself stylistically from chapter to chapter, and is divided into several larger sections, the first few of which set up character personalities in a very "in their heads" manner before the remaining sections lock into the reverse timeline aspect and power through Ieva's life from the present to before her birth.
One of the things I really enjoy about HIGH TIDE is its capacity to be discussed at length. It seems each reader will take a different impression from whether or not every event was a turn for the worst (Aksels's death, for one), or if every action in fact helped these people be the best versions of themselves. And, in the end, whether or not everyone turns out, or ever was, happy.
HIGH TIDE has always been a difficult book for me to describe because that is the nature of the book itself (which is one of my favorite things about it). The story moves more or less backward in time and follows Ieva, her estranged husband Andrejs, their daughter Monta, and Ieva's lover Aksels, chronicling Ieva's life after Aksels's death, their life together, and life before him, when all she knew was the seaside, Andrejs, and their newborn daughter.
The book itself works in a smoothly chaotic (not unlike the tide, hmm?) structure, rarely repeats itself stylistically from chapter to chapter, and is divided into several larger sections, the first few of which set up character personalities in a very "in their heads" manner before the remaining sections lock into the reverse timeline aspect and power through Ieva's life from the present to before her birth.
One of the things I really enjoy about HIGH TIDE is its capacity to be discussed at length. It seems each reader will take a different impression from whether or not every event was a turn for the worst (Aksels's death, for one), or if every action in fact helped these people be the best versions of themselves. And, in the end, whether or not everyone turns out, or ever was, happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2025
I kind of understand what Inga Ābele set out to do with High Tide, but the execution didn’t work for me. The novel’s structure — telling Ieva’s story in reverse — may have been intended as a psychological or emotional unravelling, but for most of the book, it left me disconnected from the protagonist. I found myself frustrated most of the time with Ieva’s thoughts, choices, and emotional landscape, rather than understanding and sympathizing. By the time we finally uncover the key events that shaped her, I had already spent two-thirds of the novel struggling to care. The themes of memory, trauma, and regret are not unfamiliar, but I've encountered them in other books, where they were handled with more cohesion and impact. If the intention was to challenge the reader’s empathy or patience through this “mental exercise,” then I have to admit: it missed the mark for me.
August 22, 2016
Wow. Just loved reading this book. It's written in reverse chronology, which was confusing at first, but I quickly got used to it and then I was totally drawn in to the story. Her writing style is wonderful, she writes in an almost spare, realist style, but it has a simple beauty and poetry even though she is writing about many serious and even depressing circumstances. Incredible translation from Latvian, it never felt forced or awkward at all.
I loved how she told the story in reverse. I was often trying to figure out just who everyone was and what had happened, and just when I would think I had figured out what had happened, she would throw in a twist! And I would realize I had it completely wrong. So clever.
I am still wondering what she was trying to say with the reverse story, though. Is she saying you shouldn't judge people, because you don't know what they have been through, what battles they are fighting? Or that you can't escape your past, you are the product of the things that have happened to you? I feel like it could mean so many different things.
Wonderful book, I am so glad I read it!
I loved how she told the story in reverse. I was often trying to figure out just who everyone was and what had happened, and just when I would think I had figured out what had happened, she would throw in a twist! And I would realize I had it completely wrong. So clever.
I am still wondering what she was trying to say with the reverse story, though. Is she saying you shouldn't judge people, because you don't know what they have been through, what battles they are fighting? Or that you can't escape your past, you are the product of the things that have happened to you? I feel like it could mean so many different things.
Wonderful book, I am so glad I read it!
July 4, 2014
"High Tide" was not an easy read at first: Abele writes the story in reverse, and the initial chapters left me wanting some kind of purchase, be it a character or an idea. Then I got to the lengthy part devoted to Andrejs' story, which drew me in with its deep sadness and anger. As I read on, I fell further into Abele's story, until I read it as a thriller: with full attention and all possible speed towards the conclusion.
I feel like Abele cast a spell and captured me with mystical guile in the first chapters of her book. She builds a portrait of her characters' lives--and, particularly, their sorrows--with deliberation and precision, and she writes prose that leads you to some real emotional experiences. I leave this book with a happy sense of surprise: "High Tide" was potent fiction that impressed my insides.
I feel like Abele cast a spell and captured me with mystical guile in the first chapters of her book. She builds a portrait of her characters' lives--and, particularly, their sorrows--with deliberation and precision, and she writes prose that leads you to some real emotional experiences. I leave this book with a happy sense of surprise: "High Tide" was potent fiction that impressed my insides.
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September 27, 2025Šķietami Ābeles darbi ir tie darbi, kurus vienreiz lasīt ir nepietiekami. Pirmajā reizē saprast virskārtu, bet otrajā jau iezagties zemdegās. Kaut kādā brīdī noreibsti, autore aizved uz citu pusi, bet vienmēr tur sev blakus kā bērnudārznieku.
No vienas puses - valodas plūdums it kā parauj līdzi un paliec brīnīdamies; no otras puses - stāsts it kā ir par cilvēkiem, kurus tu nepazīsti, bet varētu pazīt. Notikumi pārpludina sižeta krastu, ar katru nodaļu pieliekot klāt skaidrību (kā puzles gabaliņš); Ieva pārpludina Akselu, Aksels - Ievu, Ieva pārpludina Andreju, Andrejs - Ievu. Vēl Lūcija, Mīļome un Monta. Un Monta kā jūra, kā paisums pārplūst lasītāju priekšā daudzus gadus vēlāk.
Pieaugšana kā paisumus. Montas pieaugšana, kamēr arī pārējie - pieaugušie - pieaug (?).
No vienas puses - valodas plūdums it kā parauj līdzi un paliec brīnīdamies; no otras puses - stāsts it kā ir par cilvēkiem, kurus tu nepazīsti, bet varētu pazīt. Notikumi pārpludina sižeta krastu, ar katru nodaļu pieliekot klāt skaidrību (kā puzles gabaliņš); Ieva pārpludina Akselu, Aksels - Ievu, Ieva pārpludina Andreju, Andrejs - Ievu. Vēl Lūcija, Mīļome un Monta. Un Monta kā jūra, kā paisums pārplūst lasītāju priekšā daudzus gadus vēlāk.
Pieaugšana kā paisumus. Montas pieaugšana, kamēr arī pārējie - pieaugušie - pieaug (?).
February 25, 2025
بصراحة أنا غاضبة من اللي قرأته. شخصيات مراهقين رغم إنهم بالغين، أفكار مراهقين، مشاعر مراهقين وحوارات مراهقين. كل شيء بالكتاب مراهق! ما عدا تسلسل الأحداث؛ تسلسل طفولي جدًا. الكاتبة تذكر حدث بعدين تذكر أقدم منه بعدين تذكر أحدث شيء حصل. يمكن اللي يشفع للكتاب هو السرد الجيد، مع ذلك هالسرد ما خفف سخطي على الرواية
January 4, 2020
NICE BOOK.
January 26, 2021
Tr. Kaija Straumanis. On one level this is a fairly standard tale of life, love and tragedy but the way that it is written in reverse completely transforms it and makes a story full of suspense and unexpected twists (this is not immediately apparent, especially at the beginning when there is a lengthy philosophical discussion that my concentration span couldn’t really deal with at the moment, but it becomes much more easy to read after that).
I read another similarly constructed book not so long ago and this one really underlined how we generally know people from the present and then slowly discover over time how they became the people they are. It is beautifully written and evocative descriptions of the Latvian countryside as well as an illuminating look at the hardship of everyday life after the fall of the Soviet Union add to what is already a clever understated story. This is one of those quiet gems that really grew on me as I made my way through it.
I read another similarly constructed book not so long ago and this one really underlined how we generally know people from the present and then slowly discover over time how they became the people they are. It is beautifully written and evocative descriptions of the Latvian countryside as well as an illuminating look at the hardship of everyday life after the fall of the Soviet Union add to what is already a clever understated story. This is one of those quiet gems that really grew on me as I made my way through it.
July 30, 2021
'A brilliant sunny morning. The blue of the sky, the green of the fir tree, the snow, and the coastal sand join to form a braid.'
This is a story is built on the premise that the protagonist would live her life backwards to maintain that of her one true love.
Ieva (Latvian version of Eve) is our protagonist who I found difficult to connect with. She seemed addicted to her own melodrama at the expense of others.
So the story is told backwards and it is not until page 200 do all the pieces come together.
I found the perspective from Andrejs ( her husband) and Monta ( her daughter) the most interesting.
I did like reading about the Latvian setting from Riga to Kurzeme and is one of the reasons I stuck with the book.
An interesting concept that didn't quite work for me.
This is a story is built on the premise that the protagonist would live her life backwards to maintain that of her one true love.
Ieva (Latvian version of Eve) is our protagonist who I found difficult to connect with. She seemed addicted to her own melodrama at the expense of others.
So the story is told backwards and it is not until page 200 do all the pieces come together.
I found the perspective from Andrejs ( her husband) and Monta ( her daughter) the most interesting.
I did like reading about the Latvian setting from Riga to Kurzeme and is one of the reasons I stuck with the book.
An interesting concept that didn't quite work for me.
March 23, 2022
Extremely good. Extremely upsetting too! But in a profound therefore fun/engaging way. The way abele mirrors Andrejs’ literal imprisonment with ievas (unconscious?) feelings of imprisonment regarding motherhood, wifehood, girlfriendhood became the most powerful (and upsetting!) aspect for me. And throughout there were a lot of breathtaking moments of crisp, cutthroat writing that made me reread and underline and write in a note in my phone. Powerful writing that makes me maybe wanna learn Latvian to read other works by her
December 18, 2020
High Tide is one of those books that breezily brings you on a journey through the most painful and beautiful aspects of existence, leaving one--at the end--feeling whiplashed, simultaneously melancholic and invigorated. 'Life is difficult, and I'm 100% here for it.'
This also happens to be one of my favourite types of books.
Here is a thread of some of favourite quotes from the text (Well done, Kaija!): https://twitter.com/JessicaMDeWitt/st...
This also happens to be one of my favourite types of books.
Here is a thread of some of favourite quotes from the text (Well done, Kaija!): https://twitter.com/JessicaMDeWitt/st...
May 2, 2020
This is well written and an interesting enough storyline, but is marred in the latter half by a rather racist scene (I'm not really interested in giving passes anymore on racist and sexist content due to historical or cultural pretexts) and that it becomes clearer that the protagonists are rather worthless and not interesting after all.
January 21, 2025
As the story of Ieva's life unfolds, Ieva unravels. Reading this book, we follow this story in reverse - back to the past, back to when she was whole, trying to pinpoint the exact moment when a person's life takes that decisive turn and changes forever.
Just finished translating this book from the wonderful English translation by Kaija Straumanis.
Just finished translating this book from the wonderful English translation by Kaija Straumanis.
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