Winner of the Man Booker Prize. I've been meaning to read this for a while and everytime I went looking for it in the bookstore, I haven't been able to find it, so I've always come home with something else. Today it leapt off the shelf for me so it must be time.

Well, it took me a year to get round to reading this book, so my little justification for buying it, it must be time, doesn't exactly ring true does it?

But I loved reading this book. Not so much for the story - similar to October by Richard B. Wright that I've just read and both are good stories - but for the language and cadence of it. Much like being rocked by a gentle sea. Some words floated by like unidentifiable flotsam and jetsam. I found them curious, interesting even, but as I had no dictionary with me, I let them bob by.

Loved some of the images too, feet underwater looking as specimens, for example, waves nibbling at the shore.

I'm aware that I've missed some of the message and feel the book could do with another read. I've got some questions niggling ever so gently at the back of my brain, but it would require some work on my part to answer them so I'm quite comfortable leaving them there.

This book left today for Colorado, to help contribute to the bulging of the walls of Siriradha's house. Happy holidays!

This most welcome book arrived today, and is happily nestled against the monitor, the only space left anywhere for it to be! You think I'm kidding? Since yesterday afternoon I have received thirteen (13) boxes of books from friends who support my bookcrossing habit!

Thank you so much for this book and the bookcrossing supplies you sent! I am really touched that someone I've only met through bookcrossing would do such a very kind thing! I am going to start The Sea tonight, while I sip a hot toddy and watch the snow fall outside. Merry, merry Christmas to you!

At first I was a little put off by the narrative style, but as the story progressed (weaving the present and the past) it built to almost a dream state, with memories lapping against the narrator much like the sea revisiting the shore. This is a beautifully crafted book.

And, just like Pooker3, I'm impressed with the vocabulary the author employs!

RELEASE NOTES: Released at Boulder Street OBCZ

Hello and congratulations! You have not only found yourself a good book, but a whole community of booklovers dedicated to sharing books with each other and the world at large. I hope you'll stick around a bit and get to know BookCrossing --maybe even make a journal entry on this book. You may choose to remain anonymous or to join (its free!) And if you do choose to join, I hope you'll consider using me, Siriradha, as your referring member. Feel free to read and keep this book, or to pass it on to a friend or even set it out "in the wild" for someone else to find like you did. If you do choose to join and journal, then you can watch the book as it travels- You'll be alerted by email each time someone makes another journal entry. It's all confidential (you're known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free. Happy reading!

RELEASED AS PART OF THE WHAT’S IN A NAME CHALLENGE