Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Emma is back today sharing her latest incredibly compelling book review. Let’s get started…
I need to preface today’s review by saying that this is one of the most difficult book reviews I have ever written. Not because I didn’t like the book, quite the opposite. The book has had a huge lasting impression on me, but I have found it particularly difficult to coherently articulate why. And how to do so without haranguing you with too many spoilers for those that haven’t been able to read along but will hopefully want to read at a later date.
So, if you are of a delicate book review reading sensibility, and want to avoid even the teeny tiniest of spoilers (I promise I will keep them to an absolute minimum) I will simply say that you HAVE to read this book because it is one of the most fascinating, horrifying, and gripping books I have ever read. And now we can go our separate ways (me to explain a little more about why the book created such an impression on me, and you to go and purchase said book immediately).
But for those of you that are still with me, I will navigate as best I can why this epic story had such a bewitching effect on me.
And the Sea Will tell is a truly shocking story of murder on a South Seas Island. What is most shocking about this particular tale is that it is a true story, and so the things that you read will chill you to the bone. But you will still want to keep digging to find out more.
I don’t often read fiction for fun. I find it a bit dry; I need a cohesive story to carry my interest rather than a staid representation of the facts. And the Sea Will Tell was far from the latter.
It recounts the story of two couples that find themselves together on a supposedly deserted island. Muff and Mac Graham, a well-to-do married couple with a plush sailing boat and a penchant for life at sea (though the latter is only really true of Mac, his wife would be much happier permanently stationed on solid, familiar ground) travel to Palmyra for an idyllic island life.
When they arrive they find that another, quite different, couple had similar ideas. Jennifer Jenkins and Buck Walker are a passionate hippy couple on the run from a drugs conviction.
At the outset of the book you are led through the story of what happens before the crime, what led both couples to the island and what transpired before murder struck.
Told from the viewpoint of Vincent Bugliosi, a defense lawyer who represents (and truly believes in the innocence) of one of the islanders that is later tried for murder. But the story of the crime itself is left to the recollection of the court room battle in the trial of this young lady, an intriguing character who protests her innocence with equal measures of nonchalance and fire.
The fact that this non-fictional story is narrated by a lawyer may well put you off, but it shouldn’t. Although there are some areas that are anchored in legal rhetoric, I didn’t find this to be at all distracting. On the whole, albeit a lengthy read, this book has a really well constructed narrative. At times you forget that it is a true story, rather than a gripping crime novel.
This is a book that will stay with you forever, it will lead you to question the capabilities of humankind, make you wonder whether some mysteries can ever be solved, and most probably lead you to all out obsession about the infamous murders on Palmyra in the seventies. I for one can’t stop Googling it. I am confident that I will remember this book forever, and there are probably very few books that you could truly say that about.
So, for those loyal book club members that have been reading along with me, here are a few questions to get the discussion started:
Did you find Vincent Bugliosi to be a reliable narrator? What did you make of the story presented to you of what happened on that fateful island of Palmyra? Did you believe it, or do you have an alternative theory? Has the book encouraged you to read more fiction?
And even if you haven’t read the book we would love to hear if this review has inspired you to give it a go!
Ooh. I haven’t read this but I’m putting it on my reading list right now, will be next!
I find these sorts of ‘true crime’ books really fascinating (I’d recommend Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” as it sounds similar-ish – he recounts the horrific crime itself but also delves into the lives of the two men convicted of the murders so you get a really comprehensive, all round view of the events – fascinating stuff).
Also my Mum is from the group islands called Kiribati to the south of Palmyra and it sounds very similar (low lying atolls etc). I don’t get to read many books set on a South Pacific island so this sounds intriguing – will see if it reminds me of Kiribati at all!
Thanks for the great review, Emma!
I hope you enjoy it Kate, sounds like true crime is your thing so hopefully you will. I am definitely going to put In Cold Blood on my wish list right now!!
I would say happy reading, but it doesn’t quite seem right for the subject… 🙂
I haven’t quite finished the book but with only 2 chapters to go think I can probably review. I didn’t enjoy the book at all, in fact if i wasn’t reading it for the book club I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have read it and I have only ever not finished one book I started. I personally felt the trial was very repetive, with so much focus on legal or geographical aspects that it lost the story. I didn’t really identify with Jennifer or have any strong feelings about her either way. I had to keep reminding myself it was a true crime book, as I was just not captured by any of it. A very interesting story became never ending for me. Sorry to be so negative, hope other people enjoyed it as much as you Emma.
Don’t say sorry at all Emma! I suspected that this might be a bit of a marmite book. I definitely felt in parts that the legal elements of the book made it drag too, in fact if it had been a novel it would surely have been about half the length.
But I was so captivated by the story that I think it carried me through. I was fascinated by Vincent as much as every other character in the book, and constantly trying to dig down and find the thing that made him so sure of his assertions and beliefs about the case. I am not sure I ever did, to be honest, but it certainly carried me through to the last page… and to Google to see what else had been written about it!!
I think there will be many others that agree with you though Emma, so I certainly hope that your next read is much more pleasing for you… and if you find any gems, come back and tell us what they are. I LOVE a recommendation 🙂
[…] And the Sea Will Tell – quite hard going but utterly haunting, I still regularly think about it. […]