REVIEW: Daughter of the Sea by Elizabeth J Hobbes

LaylaB Reviews / Book ReviewsEngland / Fantasy / Historical / Paranormal / selkies / shapeshifters3 Comments

On a windswept British coastline the tide bestows an unexpected gift…

It was the cry that she first noticed, the plaintive wail that called to her over the crash of winter waves. Wrapped only in a sealskin, the baby girl looks up at Effie and instantly captures her heart.

Effie has always been an outcast in her village, the only granddaughter of a woman people whisper is a witch, so she’s used to a solitary existence. But when Midsummer arrives so too does a man claiming to be the child’s father. Effie is surprised when he asks her to continue looking after his daughter, mysteriously refusing to explain why. When he returns six months hence she pushes him for answers. And Lachlan tells a story she never anticipated … one of selkies, legend, and the power of the sea…

Daughter of the Sea by Elisabeth J. Hobbs is a gentle lovely romantic book. It deals with universal women’s issues like social belonging, responsibility, caretaking, and of course, love. I like how the romantic story evolved alongside Effie’s story of self actualization and discover. The romance is drawn out and somewhat tortured—it doesn’t resolve easily or lightly. I read this book after reading Jayne’s review of it, and because I love stories about selkies.

Daughter of the Sea is about the life of Effie Cropton, a widow raising her son after her husband’s death, who finds and adopts a baby she finds floating in the ocean. Effie’s story begins with this discovery. “Effie Cropton was not a religious woman, but when she saw the wicker basket tossed atop the waves, the first thing that popped into her mind was the story of the infant Moses in the bulrushes.” This sentence is evocative of the book’s writing and tone. Told from Effie’s perspective in a wry third person omniscient narrative voice, the tone is matter of fact, descriptive and witty. Effie is a no nonsense, practical kind of person—but she’s also a non conformist. I loved that rebellious aspect of her personality. From this opening sentence we also see the scope of the story. It has a fairy tale like quality, the baby magically appearing in the sea, the mythical creature appearing in human and animal form, the slowly evolving rules about invitation and favors. There are many other examples.

The plot is fairly simple—at the beginning of the book Effie is married to a handsome older sailor who she had to marry because she was pregnant. She is not quite at home in her small village, she doesn’t conform to the ways and life or outlook of the others. Her grandmother is considered a witch by other superstitious villagers who decry witchcraft in church but seek out home remedies in secret. One day, soon after she rescues the baby, a strange man appears at her door asking after her. He is the baby’s father, and it is revealed later in the story, that he is

The rest of the story unfolds along a pattern. Effie takes care of the baby Morna, her own son Jack who has developmental delays, and waits with anticipation for Lachlan’s visits. Meanwhile, she is being courted by Walter, the son of a wealthy family who is in love with her. To reveal more about how this plot develops is to deprive you dear readers, of the pleasures of watching the story unfold. So I’ll move on to talking about some of the themes of the book and what I enjoyed most about it.

Being a woman alone in society is difficult. One of the things the book does best is show the aching loneliness that Effie feels and experiences. Her options for work are limited, her social milieu is constrained by her class, education, and marital status, and her behavior is constantly being monitored and judged. Her only real companionship is from her children and her grandmother Alice. Walter provides company and friendship, but it is clear from early on that he doesn’t touch the recesses of her heart. When Lachlan the hero appears, we see the instant attraction between them, but the big question of the book is, what lies beyond that?

The love story unfolds slowly—achingly so at times! Lachlan and Effie have many obstacles to overcome and their happily ever after is literally up in the air until the very last minute. This pacing allows for the creation of deep attachment and bonding. This sense of attachment and bonding is also present in Effie’s little constructed family, between her and Morna especially. This was really heartwarming and refreshing. This love isn’t only romantic, its familial and maternal also.The author does a great job drawing us into a unique and cloistered world, many of the scenes take place in the liminal space of the ocean/shore or in Effie’s tiny homey cottage (another fairytale aspect).This attachment—to both Morna and Lachlan—is a transformative, world altering and ultimately, dangerous love for Effie. I loved Effie’s strength and vulnerability, her compassion and generosity but also her pettiness and fears and mistakes. The book is as much her story of transformation and self growth as it is the story of romantic love.

There is a big obstacle/misunderstanding at the end of the book that keeps Lachlan and Effie apart, which I didn’t like. The story unfolds at a very slow pace. The scenes and language can be repetitive

This is a beautifully tender book about family, self-acceptance, and a romantic love that transcends boundaries. I loved its realistic and tender hearted heroine, who saves a little baby, and in that small act of bravery and generosity, changes her whole world.

My grade: B

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