The Sea

John Banville

On Booker short-list. A difficult book. It expects a lot of the reader - you can't read it without a dictionary, and some of the words are not in the 2 volume shorter Oxford! Some words are archaic. There is some fine writing, but it is depressing. It features a newly widowed man, an alcoholic art historian, set in Ireland.
Doreen 11/9/05

Seán thought this Banville’s most accessible book. Extremely good on reconciliation after loss. An elegantly written and spellbinding book.
Seán 15/1/06

Booker winning novel, currently doing the rounds of the group to a mixed reception. Gill agreed with parts of both Doreen's & Seán's reviews. Yes, it's depressing and it's not a great book about old age but the character's propensity for making up his own words is not too off-putting. It's pretty tedious, not at all gripping and too tempting to give up on. A twist at the end reveals the plot.
Gill 12/3/06

This made Bob laugh. If he’d had anything else to read he would have given up. However, once he got to the end he thought it was very good
Bob 9/4/06

By the same author

The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.