Seascraper

A Novel

By: Benjamin Wood

Narrated by: Benjamin Wood

Longlisted for the Booker Prize, this “cinematically plotted...radiant” (The New York Times) novel follows shanker Thomas Flett as his quiet life in a small English coastal town is forever changed over the course of one fateful day.

Twenty-year-old Thomas Flett lives a slow, deliberate life with his mother in Longferry, Northern England, working his grandpa’s trade as a shanker. He rises early to take his horse and cart to the drizzly shore to scrape for shrimp, and spends the afternoon selling his wares, trying to wash away the salt and sea-scum, pining for his neighbor, Joan Wyeth, and playing songs on his guitar. At heart, he is a folk musician, but this remains a private dream.

Then a mysterious American arrives in town, and enlists Thomas’s help in finding a perfect location for his next movie. Though skeptical at first, soon Thomas starts to trust the stranger, Edgar, and, shaken from the drudgery of his days by the promise of Hollywood glamour, begins to see a different future for himself. But how much of what Edgar claims is true, and how far can his inspiration carry Thomas?

Haunting and timeless, from “one of the finest British novelists of his generation” (The Times) Seascraper tells the story of a quiet existence upturned over the span of one day, and a young man hemmed in by his circumstances, striving to achieve fulfilment far beyond the world he knows.

Critic reviews

"Author Benjamin Wood narrates his atmospheric story of a quiet life on the tidal flats of North West England. Over the course of three foggy days, listeners hear the softly sung lullaby of Thomas Flett, an impoverished boy who harbors musical ambitions while practicing the obsolete art of shanking—trawling for shrimp using a horse-drawn cart. Thomas’ luck seems about to change when a schmoozy, fast-talking American film director shows up in town, tantalizing him with a life spent making art. As the ghosts of his grandfather, whose business he inherited, and his unknown father surface, Wood pensively voices Thomas’ fears, dreams, and songs. A haunting homage to a forgotten art performed by its author."

Lyrical prose

Enjoyed this read more than most. A stranger comes to town and changes the life of this man in unexpected ways. For a relatively short novel, it packs a punch with vivid descriptions, complex characters and beautiful prose.

Beautifully written period piece set a small town in post war seaside England.

I liked listening to it because of the songs and specific dialects. The characters are well formed and real

Ben Wood is just a delight to read!

Loved the theme of being creative. Ben Wood made the beach, fog, cold, the wet palatable.

A far off time

The lovely detail of the beach and movement of characters helps transport you to their time. It was so beautiful and unpredictable.

Amazing

Excellent - Best audio ever ! loved the characters and the music . Felt like I was right there with them .