On The Long Tide

In the glorious year of 1968, when bell-bottoms and psychedelic patterns were all the rage, Laura Krey decided to throw her hat into the literary ring with her audaciously titled novel, "On The Long Tide." What might you expect from a title that evokes images of endless ocean waves and perhaps a hint of philosophical pondering? Perhaps a tale that ebbs and flows like the tides themselves, or a narrative that washes over you with the grace of a gentle sea breeze? Spoiler alert: you’d be wrong. This book is less about the romance of the sea and more about the hilariously convoluted relationships and existential musings of its characters, all performed against a backdrop that could only be described as ’vaguely nautical.’

Imagine, if you will, a cast of characters who seem to have been plucked from a misfit’s convention, each with quirks that would make even the most seasoned socialite raise a bemused eyebrow. You might find a reclusive fisherman who talks to his nets as if they’re long-lost friends, a poet who carries a bottle of seawater everywhere he goes, and a woman whose obsession with marine life makes her an unlikely expert on mollusks. Their lives, intertwined like the tangled seaweed that adorns the shore, unfold in a manner that is far from linear. You’ll find yourself wondering if it’s the tides that are long or if it’s the narrative itself that refuses to get to the point.

But wait, there’s more! The prose is buoyed by Krey’s penchant for the peculiar, crafting sentences that twist and turn like a ship lost in a storm. You can almost hear the creaking of the wood and smell the briny air as you navigate her idiosyncratic style. It is a wild ride, often leaving readers wondering if they’re drifting out to sea or merely taking a leisurely stroll along the sand. Each chapter is a wave that may crash down upon you with surprising force or gently lap at your feet, depending on Krey’s whims. And who knows? There might even be a philosophical musing or two about the futility of human existence mixed in with discussions about the best way to prepare calamari.

As you delve deeper into "On The Long Tide," prepare for the unexpected. You might encounter existential crises that arise during a fishing trip, or a romance that blossoms not under the moonlight but rather next to a pile of discarded lobster traps. Krey’s characters are not just swimming in the sea of life; they’re flailing about like inexperienced swimmers, unsure of whether they’re competing in the Olympics or merely trying to avoid drowning in their own melodrama.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot Krey’s attempts at depth—metaphorical or otherwise—peeking through in the form of clumsy symbolism about the relationship between man and nature. Or perhaps it’s just her way of justifying the odd tangents her characters go on. Whichever it may be, "On The Long Tide" is a delightfully chaotic exploration of the absurdity of human connections, wrapped in a rather nautical package that may or may not have been inspired by a week-long vacation gone awry.

Condition: Used, yet still brimming with that vintage charm that only a second-hand book can offer. Expect some yellowing pages and perhaps a faint whiff of the sea—speculative, of course, since it may also be a lingering odor from the previous owner’s fish-and-chips binge. This book is for those who appreciate character-driven chaos and enjoy deciphering the delightful oddities of mid-century literature.

In conclusion, if you find yourself yearning for a literary experience that combines the absurdity of life with the unpredictable nature of the ocean, look no further. "On The Long Tide" is waiting for you, much like a slightly battered lifeboat from the 1960s—ready to take you on a journey that may or may not lead to enlightenment. Just be sure to grab your sense of humor and a life vest, because you’re in for a ride with Crappy Old Books!

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