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Beyond the Shallow Bank
Artist Margaret Talbot has overcome prejudice, discrimination and assault to become a magazine illustrator in the male dominated world of publishing at the end of the nineteenth century. She and her husband, John, have traveled the world creating magazine articles that he writes and she illustrates. The articles and Margaret’s artwork have garnered praise and awards as John supports her illustrating and painting, even when he loses his membership in a prominent club because of it.
In 1898, Margaret suffers a stillbirth and nearly dies. From that point, John withdraws all contact, physically and emotionally, without explanation or justification. At the same time, Margaret finds that she can no longer express that certain special something in her art and begins to question if she is an artist at all.
The Talbots travel to a small fishing village for an article where Margaret meets many people who help and hinder her. One of these is a young woman named Sara who skips and sings nonsense songs and has trouble understanding everyday things, like how wagon wheels go around. Margaret fears Sara suffered a childhood trauma and is hiding from the real world but some in the village say that Sara is a selkie, a magical being from Celtic mythology who walks on the land as a human and swims in the sea as a seal. With the influence of the villagers, and her own self-determination, Margaret strives to discover who she is and want she wants from life.
Now with authentic engravings from the Victorian era in an illustrated edition.
In 1898, Margaret suffers a stillbirth and nearly dies. From that point, John withdraws all contact, physically and emotionally, without explanation or justification. At the same time, Margaret finds that she can no longer express that certain special something in her art and begins to question if she is an artist at all.
The Talbots travel to a small fishing village for an article where Margaret meets many people who help and hinder her. One of these is a young woman named Sara who skips and sings nonsense songs and has trouble understanding everyday things, like how wagon wheels go around. Margaret fears Sara suffered a childhood trauma and is hiding from the real world but some in the village say that Sara is a selkie, a magical being from Celtic mythology who walks on the land as a human and swims in the sea as a seal. With the influence of the villagers, and her own self-determination, Margaret strives to discover who she is and want she wants from life.
Now with authentic engravings from the Victorian era in an illustrated edition.
- GenresFiction
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2017
591 people want to read
About the author
David A. Wimsett
8 books19 followersDavid A. Wimsett's novels and short stories follow characters as they grow and have the opportunity to examine themselves and their place in the world on a deep level. His works include women’s fiction, epic fantasy, science fiction, contemporary issues and humour. They are stories with strong plots and strong, complex characters of different genders, gender identities, colors and ethnicities who face realistic challenges in their lives.
His science fiction short story "Time and Tide" was published in The Absent Willow Review and short listed for their anthology. His urban short story "Shoot" won the Magelsforf Award for Writing Excellence. He was a runner-up in the Askance short story competition and a winner in the Writers ‘Federation of Nova Scotia’s Postcard Poetry Contest. Beyond the Shallow Bank, his women’s historical fiction novel with elements of Celtic mythology won first-place for Magic Legends and Lore and third place for Historical Fiction at The BookFest Awards in April of 2022. He attended the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Workshop for four consecutive years.
He is a member of the Writers' Union of Canada, the Canadian Freelance Guild and the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia where he sits on the Writer's Council.
In addition to being an author, Mr. Wimsett is also a stage actor, musician, composer, videographer and professional photographer.
He raised his son as a single parent and lives in a rural town near the sea.
His website is https://www.davidawimsett.com
In addition to being an author, Mr. Wimsett is also an actor, musician, composer, videographer and professional photographer.
His home is in a rural town near the sea.
His science fiction short story "Time and Tide" was published in The Absent Willow Review and short listed for their anthology. His urban short story "Shoot" won the Magelsforf Award for Writing Excellence. He was a runner-up in the Askance short story competition and a winner in the Writers ‘Federation of Nova Scotia’s Postcard Poetry Contest. Beyond the Shallow Bank, his women’s historical fiction novel with elements of Celtic mythology won first-place for Magic Legends and Lore and third place for Historical Fiction at The BookFest Awards in April of 2022. He attended the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Workshop for four consecutive years.
He is a member of the Writers' Union of Canada, the Canadian Freelance Guild and the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia where he sits on the Writer's Council.
In addition to being an author, Mr. Wimsett is also a stage actor, musician, composer, videographer and professional photographer.
He raised his son as a single parent and lives in a rural town near the sea.
His website is https://www.davidawimsett.com
In addition to being an author, Mr. Wimsett is also an actor, musician, composer, videographer and professional photographer.
His home is in a rural town near the sea.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 9, 2020
I bought this book direct from the author. I hate to say this, but I didn’t expect to enjoy it since fantasy and period books aren’t my forte, but I decided to give the book a try. And I’m so glad I did. I actually read it in one sitting.
The story held my interest throughout. It was well-written. Descriptions were amazing and not at all boring.
Margaret is a strong woman, and women will relate to her and feel for her, as back then, of course, women didn't have as many rights as they do today. The reader really gets a sense of the time-period.
It's set during two months in Nova Scotia, in 1901. There is mention of Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell and other known people, which give a sense of realism. There is a bit of history woven throughout, but not too much as to be distracting (in case you don’t like historical books); just enough to make the story more believable.
The ending was amazing, and I can picture this book as a movie.
The story held my interest throughout. It was well-written. Descriptions were amazing and not at all boring.
Margaret is a strong woman, and women will relate to her and feel for her, as back then, of course, women didn't have as many rights as they do today. The reader really gets a sense of the time-period.
It's set during two months in Nova Scotia, in 1901. There is mention of Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell and other known people, which give a sense of realism. There is a bit of history woven throughout, but not too much as to be distracting (in case you don’t like historical books); just enough to make the story more believable.
The ending was amazing, and I can picture this book as a movie.
May 13, 2023
BEYOND THE SHALLOW BANK: Illustrated Edition by David Wimsett. Published by Cape Split Press
Before reading I took the opportunity to leaf through the pages and spend time looking at the authentic Victorian era engravings that are spread throughout this illustrated edition . A wonderful compliment to the story itself.
From the intense opening scene until the very satisfying conclusion I was deeply engaged in the reading of this story. David Wimsett is an excellent scene setter. Attention to detail and perfect pacing made this a most enjoyable read. I was there with Margaret Talbot, in the early 1900's, when women had few rights and no vote to elect representatives to grant them.
I was there for Margaret's insecurities about her art. I think this particular passage beautifully illustrates that insecurity -
"Margaret worried in the details of Phillip's parlour with its flower wallpaper, rosette door moldings and glass beads on the shades of the oil lamps. It was a purely mechanical exercise. Would anyone appreciate the lives of the people the drawing represented? The magazine containing the future article would likely be tossed out, or perhaps used to line a bird cage, once it was read."
I was there as she fought for possibilities. Her possibilities. As she dared to think she even had possibilities as an artist in her own right. As she recognized her strengths, passions and abilities. I could quite image Margaret warring with "holding on to her yesterdays" while dreaming of her tomorrows. Truly a woman living the conflicting ideals for women in the period in which this story takes place.
A carefully researched and engaging work of historical fiction. An exciting use of the story of the relationship between Margaret and Sara, suspected of being a Selkie who walks on the land as a human and swims in the sea as a seal. With the influence of Sara , the influence of the villagers and her own self-determination this reader was carried along.
I was there too for the hurt Margaret suffers through her self discovery. Felt it palpably. The author deftly alludes to the fact that there will be healing and from what I learned of Margaret I feel certain he is right.
All the elements of a good read. With those engraving taking up some text space the book comes in at under 200 pages. Worth considering adding to your summer 2023 afternoon reads list.
I would be happy to read more historical fiction from this author.
Before reading I took the opportunity to leaf through the pages and spend time looking at the authentic Victorian era engravings that are spread throughout this illustrated edition . A wonderful compliment to the story itself.
From the intense opening scene until the very satisfying conclusion I was deeply engaged in the reading of this story. David Wimsett is an excellent scene setter. Attention to detail and perfect pacing made this a most enjoyable read. I was there with Margaret Talbot, in the early 1900's, when women had few rights and no vote to elect representatives to grant them.
I was there for Margaret's insecurities about her art. I think this particular passage beautifully illustrates that insecurity -
"Margaret worried in the details of Phillip's parlour with its flower wallpaper, rosette door moldings and glass beads on the shades of the oil lamps. It was a purely mechanical exercise. Would anyone appreciate the lives of the people the drawing represented? The magazine containing the future article would likely be tossed out, or perhaps used to line a bird cage, once it was read."
I was there as she fought for possibilities. Her possibilities. As she dared to think she even had possibilities as an artist in her own right. As she recognized her strengths, passions and abilities. I could quite image Margaret warring with "holding on to her yesterdays" while dreaming of her tomorrows. Truly a woman living the conflicting ideals for women in the period in which this story takes place.
A carefully researched and engaging work of historical fiction. An exciting use of the story of the relationship between Margaret and Sara, suspected of being a Selkie who walks on the land as a human and swims in the sea as a seal. With the influence of Sara , the influence of the villagers and her own self-determination this reader was carried along.
I was there too for the hurt Margaret suffers through her self discovery. Felt it palpably. The author deftly alludes to the fact that there will be healing and from what I learned of Margaret I feel certain he is right.
All the elements of a good read. With those engraving taking up some text space the book comes in at under 200 pages. Worth considering adding to your summer 2023 afternoon reads list.
I would be happy to read more historical fiction from this author.
January 16, 2023
Beyond the Shallow Bank by David A. Wimsett is enchanting, fasinating and alluring…..as well as emotional.
In Beyond the Shallow Bank readers are introduced to Margaret and John Talbot. John writes articles for a magazine and Margaret draws the illustrations to go along with the article. They have traveled all over the world working together. Unfortunately there is heartbreak and pain between them. Margaret lost their child when it was a stillborn birth and John withdrew from her and their marriage. They continued to travel and work together but it was like they were strangers to each other.
Everything changes when they travel to Glasen in Canada where they will be staying for a while to interview the residents and get a feeling of the seaside town. Sadly when they arrive in town the hotel where they were to be staying has burned down so they will e staying with a couple. Ian and his wife Sara take the couple in but Ian isn’t very hospitable at first. However Margaret finds herself drawn to Sara but doesn’t know why……and when readers find out why, it will blow your mind !!
Readers cannot help but feel Margaret’s pain and loneliness. She is struggling still with the death of her child as well as her work. Her true desire is to paint but John practically forbids her to paint and wants her to concentrate on the illustrations for the article. Margaret has to sneak in her painting time and she lies to John, Sara and Ian. Margaret is also torn between loving John and hating him for the way he has treated her. But when a storm comes in and John is out to sea with Ian fishing, Margaret’s truth will come out and readers will be flabbergasted !!
Beyond the Shallow Bank is a very captivating story and when you get to a certain part in the story, you will know when you get there, you will be unable to stop reading. You will feel like you are right there along side Margaret and I’m pretty sure you will agree with her life changing decision…..all in the name of love.
In Beyond the Shallow Bank readers are introduced to Margaret and John Talbot. John writes articles for a magazine and Margaret draws the illustrations to go along with the article. They have traveled all over the world working together. Unfortunately there is heartbreak and pain between them. Margaret lost their child when it was a stillborn birth and John withdrew from her and their marriage. They continued to travel and work together but it was like they were strangers to each other.
Everything changes when they travel to Glasen in Canada where they will be staying for a while to interview the residents and get a feeling of the seaside town. Sadly when they arrive in town the hotel where they were to be staying has burned down so they will e staying with a couple. Ian and his wife Sara take the couple in but Ian isn’t very hospitable at first. However Margaret finds herself drawn to Sara but doesn’t know why……and when readers find out why, it will blow your mind !!
Readers cannot help but feel Margaret’s pain and loneliness. She is struggling still with the death of her child as well as her work. Her true desire is to paint but John practically forbids her to paint and wants her to concentrate on the illustrations for the article. Margaret has to sneak in her painting time and she lies to John, Sara and Ian. Margaret is also torn between loving John and hating him for the way he has treated her. But when a storm comes in and John is out to sea with Ian fishing, Margaret’s truth will come out and readers will be flabbergasted !!
Beyond the Shallow Bank is a very captivating story and when you get to a certain part in the story, you will know when you get there, you will be unable to stop reading. You will feel like you are right there along side Margaret and I’m pretty sure you will agree with her life changing decision…..all in the name of love.
May 11, 2022
This was a GoodReads giveaway book. What can I say about this book? It combines, love, art, historical fiction, and fantasy all in one, and does it WELL! The journey Margaret and John are enduring as they find their way back to each other is so powerful. Thanks to Thomas, Margaret learns to teach her art. Thanks to Sarah, she finds who/what she really is and why the sea is so important to her. Margaret is part Selkie, a fairy creature that takes the form of a seal and plays in the sea. Margaret, after being told she would never be human again if Sarah shared two drops of her blood to make Margaret a true Selkie, became one to save her husband, John. However, Margaret wasn't going to give in without a fight. She fought her Selkie and became human again to reunite and find her way back to John. While she was a Selkie, she could read his thoughts and finally understood what had made him shy away from her for the past two years since their baby was stillborn. Such a moving story and I highly recommend!
November 17, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading BEYOND THE SHALLOW BANK by David Wimsett. The character of Margaret in all her struggles, sorrows, and triumphs is indeed memorable. I was impressed by the author's ability to see into the female character, to recognize and honour Margaret's profound loss. Margaret's story, set in the context of the early twentieth century, reflects the struggles of everyone who does not identify a male, in every generation.
Margaret's needs as an artist, the way her husband and then her student respond to her art, the need to hide behind a male name to be taken seriously--all ring true in this novel. Hints of magic are woven into the narrative, but only at the end is its reality revealed. We are immersed in human relationships, and the magical elements simply shed light on this aspect. At the same time, the magic enriches the love -- and the sacrifice -- that unfolds. A novel of surprises, but most of all, a story of truth.
Margaret's needs as an artist, the way her husband and then her student respond to her art, the need to hide behind a male name to be taken seriously--all ring true in this novel. Hints of magic are woven into the narrative, but only at the end is its reality revealed. We are immersed in human relationships, and the magical elements simply shed light on this aspect. At the same time, the magic enriches the love -- and the sacrifice -- that unfolds. A novel of surprises, but most of all, a story of truth.
March 13, 2022
Beautifully written
The writing style is smooth and you quickly find yourself immersed in a story that will make you laugh and cry. Highly recommend.
The writing style is smooth and you quickly find yourself immersed in a story that will make you laugh and cry. Highly recommend.
Want to read
March 31, 2022I apologize but I have not read it yet but hope to in the near future. Unexpected medical issues.
January 2, 2026
This book is full of heart and I would recommend it to everyone. It serves as a love letter to artists and small Canadian communities. Truly beautiful.
December 28, 2022
I liked the premise of the story and found the historical descriptions of the place and people fascinating. The story would have benefited from better balance - some parts were overdescribed and some were rushed and perhaps unnecessary because they detracted from the main plot.
May 28, 2018
The book opens with a prologue where artist Margaret Talbot suffers a stillbirth during which she almost dies. As she loses consciousness, she imagines herself on a beach with pounding surf. She had been working in the male-dominated field of publishing, illustrating her husband John’s articles with her drawings with his full support and affection. After the stillbirth, all that changes as John will no longer support her emotionally, leaving her to deal with the aftermath of the loss of the child.
As the main story opens, they are in a carriage on their way to a fishing village in Nova Scotia. She is sketching the scenery as they drive by. When Margaret expresses a desire to paint in colour, John rebukes her, noting that all their work had been in pen and ink. When they reach the village of Glasen, they encounter several interesting people. One woman accuses Margaret of being a witch while a man carries his wife’s ashes around and talks to them as if she were alive. Sara, the wife of a fisherman, sings silly songs and is rumoured to be a selkie, a Celtic mythical creature that resembles a seal in the water but assumes human form on land.
Margaret is drawn to Sara, and they become friends. Margaret is determined to become an oil painter despite her husband’s opposition, and she works in a secret location to hone her craft. She makes the acquaintance of a young man with artistic talents and offers to work with him. When he falls in love with her, she is tempted to have an affair but turns him away. The story is full of twists and turns as Margaret interacts with the villagers and discovers her true self.
The description of the village and the sea leave little doubt that this story is set in Nova Scotia. One particularly good description was of the gutting and drying of fish, while the workers converse in Gaelic. Characters are skillfully developed with a depth of character and a glimpse into their very souls. The villagers have unique personalities and interact with each other in a myriad of ways. This book is a delightful read, difficult to put down, and worthy of being read more than once. I read it the first time in two sittings and have read it twice more, discovering more details each time. I give this book my highest recommendation.
As the main story opens, they are in a carriage on their way to a fishing village in Nova Scotia. She is sketching the scenery as they drive by. When Margaret expresses a desire to paint in colour, John rebukes her, noting that all their work had been in pen and ink. When they reach the village of Glasen, they encounter several interesting people. One woman accuses Margaret of being a witch while a man carries his wife’s ashes around and talks to them as if she were alive. Sara, the wife of a fisherman, sings silly songs and is rumoured to be a selkie, a Celtic mythical creature that resembles a seal in the water but assumes human form on land.
Margaret is drawn to Sara, and they become friends. Margaret is determined to become an oil painter despite her husband’s opposition, and she works in a secret location to hone her craft. She makes the acquaintance of a young man with artistic talents and offers to work with him. When he falls in love with her, she is tempted to have an affair but turns him away. The story is full of twists and turns as Margaret interacts with the villagers and discovers her true self.
The description of the village and the sea leave little doubt that this story is set in Nova Scotia. One particularly good description was of the gutting and drying of fish, while the workers converse in Gaelic. Characters are skillfully developed with a depth of character and a glimpse into their very souls. The villagers have unique personalities and interact with each other in a myriad of ways. This book is a delightful read, difficult to put down, and worthy of being read more than once. I read it the first time in two sittings and have read it twice more, discovering more details each time. I give this book my highest recommendation.
September 27, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book a compelling and fascinating character study, and quite believeable in terms of the characterizations, as well as a fascinating look into the lives of the people in that period. It was a very kind book; instead of presenting heroes and villains, it presented a number of people trying the best they could to make their lives work. I also think it was an excellent story in terms of a male author managing to write compelling female characters.
A few things I was not entirely happy with. It seems like the only function for Beth was to provide a bit of artificial tension -- she really wasn't an integral part of the plot, and though she was an interesting character, she didn't really have to be there. I also felt like the fact that a whole lot of backstory was handed off in a too-magical way -- I wanted the magic to be there, I just didn't want it to take the place of character resolution, and I felt a little cheated out of an entirely emotionally satisfactory end. I also felt the ending was almost too abrupt, and the reason Margaret turned out to be different from everyone else (magically speaking) didn't really make any sense to me.
But overall, this was a really good book, and I'm glad to have read it.
I found this book a compelling and fascinating character study, and quite believeable in terms of the characterizations, as well as a fascinating look into the lives of the people in that period. It was a very kind book; instead of presenting heroes and villains, it presented a number of people trying the best they could to make their lives work. I also think it was an excellent story in terms of a male author managing to write compelling female characters.
A few things I was not entirely happy with. It seems like the only function for Beth was to provide a bit of artificial tension -- she really wasn't an integral part of the plot, and though she was an interesting character, she didn't really have to be there. I also felt like the fact that a whole lot of backstory was handed off in a too-magical way -- I wanted the magic to be there, I just didn't want it to take the place of character resolution, and I felt a little cheated out of an entirely emotionally satisfactory end. I also felt the ending was almost too abrupt, and the reason Margaret turned out to be different from everyone else (magically speaking) didn't really make any sense to me.
But overall, this was a really good book, and I'm glad to have read it.
October 2, 2018
It was kind of hard to get into this book. The premise of the book is a woman who is searching for herself. However, she initially comes across as selfish and inconsiderate. There are reasons for her behavior, but still it was disturbing. Margaret and her husband are staying at the home of a couple. Margaret, an artist, asks the wife if she can use the carriage house as a studio. The wife explains that her husband wants nobody in there, that he has sealed away some sad memories. Margaret finds a way in, any way. The wife, Sara, is a very different kind of person. Refreshingly naive, honest, insightful. Her relationship with her husband, Ian, is very strong.
So, they go through the day to day, with Sara's goodness and Margaret's sometimes not-so-goodness.
The ending is quite out of the ordinary.
So, they go through the day to day, with Sara's goodness and Margaret's sometimes not-so-goodness.
The ending is quite out of the ordinary.
September 30, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a great story and kept my interest. It's had to comment without giving away too much of the plot. Can Margaret find her true self; who can and does help her. And how do all the people she meets fit intoher life. What a story; you must read it!
September 15, 2018
Wonderful storyline
December 8, 2019
Well that was a waste of my reading time.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews