Sea Glass (2002) by Anita Shreve is a poignant and intricately woven novel set in New England during the turbulent years of the Great Depression. The story is part of Shreve’s loosely connected “Fortune’s Rocks” series and takes place in a coastal house, which serves as the setting for several of her novels.
The narrative follows Honora and Sexton Beecher, a newly married couple who purchase a small seaside house. They hope to build a life filled with promise, but their dreams are challenged as the economic collapse of the 1930s wreaks havoc on their finances and their relationship. Sexton’s character, with his flaws and ambitions, contrasts with Honora’s resilience and depth.
The novel is notable for its richly drawn characters, including a cast of mill workers who become entangled in labor strikes and social upheaval. Themes of love, betrayal, resilience, and societal change are central, all against the backdrop of a shifting economic and cultural landscape. Shreve’s evocative descriptions of the sea and coastal life lend a lyrical quality to the narrative.
