A review by serendipitysbooks
Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 Offshore is apparently the shortest book to win the Booker. It did so in 1979. I really enjoyed the quirky cast of characters (Martha and Tilda especially), their warm and indefatigable community spirit, and felt for their struggles on the margins of society, even when many of the problems were of their own making. That everyone lived on houseboats immediately gave this book bonus points. The unique sense of place was vividly brought to life.