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100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
Things are changing quickly for 15 year old Bridie. Her beloved father has died, her mother quickly remarried their border, Alf Bustle and is pregnant. Now, Alf has decided to move the family from their London home halfway across the world for more opportunities in Australia. Bridie’s mother and Alf are hoping that the voyage and leaving London will help Bridie forget her father, move on and grow up. However Bridie Refuses to give up the memory of her father, especially his stories which is why Bridie defies her mother and brings his storybook along. The voyage on the Lady Sophia is dangerous, lengthy and difficult for all the passengers, particularly the pregnant ones. Bridie quickly makes friends with a Welsh couple, Rhys and Sian. Rhys seems to have a secret or two himself and is also a storyteller. Sian has a mystery about her and is about as far along as Bridie’s mother. The ship’s surgeon wants a clean and uneventful journey, but as the voyage is prolonged it seems that a story is just what everyone on board needs.
Bridie’s journey is one of self-discovery, growth and sadness. Something that struck me between the changing narratives of Bridie and Rhys was the many reasons that people leave the place that they have always called home, whether it is new opportunity, new identity, or a new beginning, they are willing to look for these things in a place that they have never known. With the exception of the very beginning and very end, the entire story takes place on a ship. For a ship in 1841, I was amazed at the process taken to keep things clean and free of disease, though it didn't always work, as well as the monotony of life on a ship. I found Bridie's character very easy to relate to, I loved that she held onto the stories of her father and loved him unconditionally, despite her mother's wishes. I especially felt for her when she came into womanhood among the cramped, public conditions onboard the Lady Sophia. I enjoyed watching her evolve through her friendship with Rhys and Sian and their own stories. I got caught up myself in the Welsh stories and the unique way they were told through Rhys and Sian, I could imagine their vivacious performances. Through their stories, the storytellers offer healing and acceptance to themselves and others. What touched me most of all was how everyone onboard seemed deeply touched by secrets and sadness while continuing on with their lives, and the impact of a single story.
This book was provided for free in return for an honest review.
Bridie’s journey is one of self-discovery, growth and sadness. Something that struck me between the changing narratives of Bridie and Rhys was the many reasons that people leave the place that they have always called home, whether it is new opportunity, new identity, or a new beginning, they are willing to look for these things in a place that they have never known. With the exception of the very beginning and very end, the entire story takes place on a ship. For a ship in 1841, I was amazed at the process taken to keep things clean and free of disease, though it didn't always work, as well as the monotony of life on a ship. I found Bridie's character very easy to relate to, I loved that she held onto the stories of her father and loved him unconditionally, despite her mother's wishes. I especially felt for her when she came into womanhood among the cramped, public conditions onboard the Lady Sophia. I enjoyed watching her evolve through her friendship with Rhys and Sian and their own stories. I got caught up myself in the Welsh stories and the unique way they were told through Rhys and Sian, I could imagine their vivacious performances. Through their stories, the storytellers offer healing and acceptance to themselves and others. What touched me most of all was how everyone onboard seemed deeply touched by secrets and sadness while continuing on with their lives, and the impact of a single story.
This book was provided for free in return for an honest review.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘This was real life, not one of her dad’s fairy tales.’
In 1841, fifteen-year-old Bridie Stewart, her pregnant mother Mary and stepfather Alf Bustle are part of a group of emigrants leaving England for Port Phillip in Australia aboard the Lady Sophia. It’s a new start for Alf and Mary, but Bridie is still mourning her dead father. Mary wants Bridie to forget her father, to cast aside childhood and to prepare for adult life in Port Phillip. Bridie, against her mother’s wishes, has hidden in her baggage a gift from her father, a notebook filled with his fairy tales.
Rhys Bevan and his pregnant wife Siân are also travelling to Port Phillip. Rhys realises that Bridie is trying to hide something, and helps her. Thus, begins a friendship between Bridie and Rhys, a refuge for each of them from other concerns, a friendship enriched by story-telling.
As the Lady Sophia travels slowly towards Port Phillip, Bridie makes her own journey into adulthood, into awareness that life is more complicated than she thought. Rhys is crippled at times by claustrophobia, afraid for Siân and for the future. Alf tries to do the right thing for his family, even though his efforts are not always appreciated.
‘But, sometimes, a thing is worth doing, if it means a lot to another person.’
Ms Corbett brings her characters to life amidst the difficulties imposed by the close confines of travel in steerage. There are interesting backstories to learn, there are Welsh fairy tales to consider, and there is tragedy. I enjoyed the fairy tales, was reminded of the difficulties faced by emigrants to Australia in the nineteenth century, and was moved by circumstances and tragedy. While Bridie is the central character, it was the stories of Rhys and Siân that particularly held my attention. And of Alf, a fundamentally decent human being, trying to do his best.
I finished the novel wondering what the future held for the passengers once they arrived in Australia. I’d certainly like to read a sequel!
Note: My thanks to Ms Corbett for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In 1841, fifteen-year-old Bridie Stewart, her pregnant mother Mary and stepfather Alf Bustle are part of a group of emigrants leaving England for Port Phillip in Australia aboard the Lady Sophia. It’s a new start for Alf and Mary, but Bridie is still mourning her dead father. Mary wants Bridie to forget her father, to cast aside childhood and to prepare for adult life in Port Phillip. Bridie, against her mother’s wishes, has hidden in her baggage a gift from her father, a notebook filled with his fairy tales.
Rhys Bevan and his pregnant wife Siân are also travelling to Port Phillip. Rhys realises that Bridie is trying to hide something, and helps her. Thus, begins a friendship between Bridie and Rhys, a refuge for each of them from other concerns, a friendship enriched by story-telling.
As the Lady Sophia travels slowly towards Port Phillip, Bridie makes her own journey into adulthood, into awareness that life is more complicated than she thought. Rhys is crippled at times by claustrophobia, afraid for Siân and for the future. Alf tries to do the right thing for his family, even though his efforts are not always appreciated.
‘But, sometimes, a thing is worth doing, if it means a lot to another person.’
Ms Corbett brings her characters to life amidst the difficulties imposed by the close confines of travel in steerage. There are interesting backstories to learn, there are Welsh fairy tales to consider, and there is tragedy. I enjoyed the fairy tales, was reminded of the difficulties faced by emigrants to Australia in the nineteenth century, and was moved by circumstances and tragedy. While Bridie is the central character, it was the stories of Rhys and Siân that particularly held my attention. And of Alf, a fundamentally decent human being, trying to do his best.
I finished the novel wondering what the future held for the passengers once they arrived in Australia. I’d certainly like to read a sequel!
Note: My thanks to Ms Corbett for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
lostlenore_'s review against another edition
4.0
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It has been a while since I last read a decent historical fiction novel embedded in the coming-of-age narrative. Corbett’s work fascinates the reader with its delicate approach to the immigration theme and its exquisite attention to detail both linguistically and structurally.
The author handles English with care—she creates such a vivid world, full of vibrant sounds and strong emotions, bound to sweep any reader off their feet from early on. I love when authors use a plethora of words to describe situations, people or items; Corbett’s writing is just that, a confirmation that such authors exist and thrive in our days. Her flair for writing is evident since the first page, the ARC I received did not suffer from poor grammar, syntax, or diction.
I extremely enjoyed the fairy tale elements meddled as they were with Bridie’s coming-of-age journey. Writing a bildungsroman is definitely not an easy job, especially when it comes to commentary on the heated topic of immigration. Never in my life have I read a novel which so prominently featured immigration. This is why I found myself hypnotized by the number of local voices included in Corbett’s fiction. Bridie’s journey towards self-discovery and maturity is paired with Welsh mythology and expatriation. This was successfully carried out in The Tides Between; I feel that no better way there was than to mingle the social with the personal in order for Corbett to shed light on the issues she most wanted. And let me add that trauma and its effects on child psyche are there, as well.
VERDICT:
The Tides Between consists an ingenious debut novel crafted by an author who acknowledges the way to build a bildungsroman by embedding it into the genre of historical fiction. It is original and unique; it is aimed for all readers who wish to travel back time and experience again the long-lost feeling of innocence and purity; it is a book reminding us that fairy tales will never stop existing as long as we hold onto them.
It has been a while since I last read a decent historical fiction novel embedded in the coming-of-age narrative. Corbett’s work fascinates the reader with its delicate approach to the immigration theme and its exquisite attention to detail both linguistically and structurally.
The author handles English with care—she creates such a vivid world, full of vibrant sounds and strong emotions, bound to sweep any reader off their feet from early on. I love when authors use a plethora of words to describe situations, people or items; Corbett’s writing is just that, a confirmation that such authors exist and thrive in our days. Her flair for writing is evident since the first page, the ARC I received did not suffer from poor grammar, syntax, or diction.
I extremely enjoyed the fairy tale elements meddled as they were with Bridie’s coming-of-age journey. Writing a bildungsroman is definitely not an easy job, especially when it comes to commentary on the heated topic of immigration. Never in my life have I read a novel which so prominently featured immigration. This is why I found myself hypnotized by the number of local voices included in Corbett’s fiction. Bridie’s journey towards self-discovery and maturity is paired with Welsh mythology and expatriation. This was successfully carried out in The Tides Between; I feel that no better way there was than to mingle the social with the personal in order for Corbett to shed light on the issues she most wanted. And let me add that trauma and its effects on child psyche are there, as well.
VERDICT:
The Tides Between consists an ingenious debut novel crafted by an author who acknowledges the way to build a bildungsroman by embedding it into the genre of historical fiction. It is original and unique; it is aimed for all readers who wish to travel back time and experience again the long-lost feeling of innocence and purity; it is a book reminding us that fairy tales will never stop existing as long as we hold onto them.
waywardfancy's review against another edition
A historical YA novel set in 1841 on a ship bound for Australia, The Tides Between is an accomplished coming of age story told lyrically, with plot intrigue and finely drawn characters. It is hard to believe it is the work of a first time novelist. The authorial voice is strong and assured, and the reader soon gives themselves over to the this transformation tale of a fifteen year old Bridie, on her journey: a geographical journey to colonial Australia, a personal journey to womanhood and an emotional journey to come to terms with the grief for her father.
The book is set on the steerage of a ship on an ocean, one setting – and yet it is such an expansive story, as if this tight location has allowed Corbett to fully explore and interplay the power of mythology, music, imagination, storytelling and community have to sustain us. The imminent destination of the shores of Port Philip gives the story tension. As does some imminent births. Each character is so well realised and there is a sense that the author has such respect for each and every human. The historical detail is so seamless it is as if the author has inhaled the research and simply breathed it into the sentences. And those sentences? Sumptuous and lyrical.
Corbett also weaves many other threads into this book and manages to deftly pull it all together. The soundtrack is a thread that stayed with me - the haunting interweaving of the song “All through the night” or” Ar Hyd y Nos” in Welsh - a song dear to Bridie, to her father and to the troubled Rhys, who plays it hauntingly on his fiddle. And I must admit, the song has special significance to me too. This had the effect, for me, of catching the heart strings and resonating at important times. You will need tissues.
The result is a finely detailed and rich world. There are the wonderful Welsh tales told by Sian and Rhys throughout the journey that parallel their own dark secrets. There is the plot and tale of Bridie’s family, her pregnant mother and her stepfather. Importantly, it is Bridie, coming to terms with her father’s death and puberty. The other layer is the story of the community that grows on the ship. There are loves and losses; births and deaths.
Central to the book is the power of stories. Bridie is under pressure from her parents to leave Fairy Tales behind, something associated with her father and with her childhood. However the journey across the ocean proves to all the integral importance, need and power of stories. While the main focus is on Bridie, the ensemble cast of characters become so well known to the reader that it had me wondering if this book will have a sequel – the next part of the story hovers just off the page, a mirage in the distance, after they have disembarked on new shores.
Between the Tides is the story of a journey, a beginning, an end, and a transformation for many of the people who are sailing through a seemingly endless ocean. Elizabeth Corbett has written a well-balanced novel with fine language, warmth of spirit and best of all, has spun us a wonderful tale while demonstrating just how important a fine story is for everyone.
The book is set on the steerage of a ship on an ocean, one setting – and yet it is such an expansive story, as if this tight location has allowed Corbett to fully explore and interplay the power of mythology, music, imagination, storytelling and community have to sustain us. The imminent destination of the shores of Port Philip gives the story tension. As does some imminent births. Each character is so well realised and there is a sense that the author has such respect for each and every human. The historical detail is so seamless it is as if the author has inhaled the research and simply breathed it into the sentences. And those sentences? Sumptuous and lyrical.
Corbett also weaves many other threads into this book and manages to deftly pull it all together. The soundtrack is a thread that stayed with me - the haunting interweaving of the song “All through the night” or” Ar Hyd y Nos” in Welsh - a song dear to Bridie, to her father and to the troubled Rhys, who plays it hauntingly on his fiddle. And I must admit, the song has special significance to me too. This had the effect, for me, of catching the heart strings and resonating at important times. You will need tissues.
The result is a finely detailed and rich world. There are the wonderful Welsh tales told by Sian and Rhys throughout the journey that parallel their own dark secrets. There is the plot and tale of Bridie’s family, her pregnant mother and her stepfather. Importantly, it is Bridie, coming to terms with her father’s death and puberty. The other layer is the story of the community that grows on the ship. There are loves and losses; births and deaths.
Central to the book is the power of stories. Bridie is under pressure from her parents to leave Fairy Tales behind, something associated with her father and with her childhood. However the journey across the ocean proves to all the integral importance, need and power of stories. While the main focus is on Bridie, the ensemble cast of characters become so well known to the reader that it had me wondering if this book will have a sequel – the next part of the story hovers just off the page, a mirage in the distance, after they have disembarked on new shores.
Between the Tides is the story of a journey, a beginning, an end, and a transformation for many of the people who are sailing through a seemingly endless ocean. Elizabeth Corbett has written a well-balanced novel with fine language, warmth of spirit and best of all, has spun us a wonderful tale while demonstrating just how important a fine story is for everyone.
thebookmuse's review against another edition
5.0
Review on my blog. I really enjoyed this, a wonderful use of fairy tales and oral stories to
Tell the story of the characters.
Tell the story of the characters.
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