Beginning in London in 1847, Susan Paterson’s debut novel Where Light Meets Water is a subtle, delightful work of historical fiction. Its protagonist is Tom Rutherford, a young man who has never known any life other than on the sea. From the time of his father’s death, Tom has been apprenticed on ships, working his way through the ranks.
However, just as his own captaincy is in reach, he meets Catherine Ogilvie and for the first time in a long time, Tom has a reason to want to stay on land. Theirs is a fairly uncomplicated love. Tom and Catherine, through their mutual love of art and painting, see the world differently to those around them. While there is a class difference, Catherine’s father is a rational man, and the biggest obstacle to their being together is whether or not Tom is willing to give up his dreams of a life at sea to fulfil their common dream of a family.
But when grief and tragedy strike, Tom finds himself alone in the world and must rediscover himself and his profession. He strives to stay true to Catherine’s dreams for him, to do more with his art.
Paterson writes in a confident, literary style, and her descriptive passages are true to the artistic nature of the novel, without straying towards the florid. And, while the book does deal with themes of love, and grief, she keeps a tight control over the emotional balance of the book where other writers may have tipped into melodrama. This is a subtle but powerful book. Character development, rather than a fast-paced plot, is at the forefront here, but those readers who prefer a pacy read will be pleasantly satisfied by scenes of life in rough seas.
Tom, as a lead character, is compelling enough for the reader to follow him through the book. But, it is the character of Catherine who really sparkles on the page. (Who doesn’t love an unconventional woman?) Her ideas are ahead of her time, and she cares very little for the opinions of society. She loves to paint, but recognises the limitations of her ability to take her much further in an art world which is already set against her inclusion. She is the indulged only daughter of a distracted father; and while her brother, as a male, has some natural authority over her, she does not put much weight into his opinions or consider the impact his majority may have on her life. Quite simply, she is easy to love, and it is easy to understand why Tom would consider giving up his life’s ambitions to be with her.
The final portion of the novel does change perspective, going from a third person limited point of view to a first person point of view, in which Tom directly addresses another character who he is on his way to meet. While I don’t know that this change was strictly necessary, it does lend itself very well to the openness of the ending to the book (which I won’t spoil here) and a moving, bittersweet mood which lingers with the reader long after they are done.
Read this one if you love the classics, you appreciate great writing, or you just feel like taking a jaunt on the high seas.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Susan Paterson’s Where Light Meets Water is available now from Simon and Schuster. Grab yourself a copy from Booktopia HERE.
