Opening in London in 1847, sailor Tom is on shore leave waiting for his ship to be repaired. He is twenty-eight years old, and the sea is in his blood. His father was also a sailor, and it is the only life he has ever known. But he has a second passion, art, and he loves to spend his spare time with his paintbox and sketchbook. He is painting during shore leave and finds a delicate lace glove with the distinct smell of turpentine, which leads him to meet the owner, Catherine.
Catherine comes from a completely different world, one of class and privilege, but she is a woman with a passion for art also. They are both talented artists and find themselves unmistakably drawn to each other. As time goes on, they have a hard decision to make, to be together despite all the challenges, or to let each other go. When Tom makes one difficult life choice, he later must make another life choice that is even more impossible.
Where Light Meets Water is a stunning debut, and the writing is lyrical and full of beauty. Catherine and Tom are unforgettable characters in a story that explores the power of art to transform lives. It is a love story; it’s the story of a sailor and his call to be on the sea, and also the story of artists and their passion for creating. It’s moving and a novel you will want to read slowly to savour every exquisite moment.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Simon & Schuster