The book opens on the night of 31st January 1953 when there was a huge tidal storm surge in the North Sea, which led to extensive flooding of coastal areas on the eastern side of England from Lincolnshire to Kent and also in the Netherlands. Much of Canvey Island off the south east coast of Essex lies below sea level and large parts of the island were inundated by seawater on that night and 58 people died there.
Martin Turner's mother Lily drowns as she is trying to escape from their bungalow with Martin while her husband Len and sister Violet are out at a dance together. Martin is swept to safety and reunited with his father and aunt. Violet's husband George is mentally fragile as a result of his experiences in the Second World War and after Lily's death Len and Violet become very close.
The novel follows Martin through his life as he goes to Cambridge University to study engineering in order to prevent events like the North Sea Floods from reoccurring, separates from his Canvey Island girlfriend Linda, marries fellow Cambridge student Claire, moves to Brighton and has a daughter Lucy. In 1983 Claire suddenly leaves her teaching job and takes Lucy to live at the Greenham Common Peace Camp. Martin temporarily gets back together with Linda. George's mental health continues to deteriorate and Len begins to age.
The novel has many short chapters, which are told from the perspectives of the main characters in turn - Martin, Len, Violet, George, Linda and Claire.
This is what James Runcie has to say about his own book "Canvey Island tells the story of changing times in post-war Britain through one family’s tragedy and loss. It is a novel about past wounds and past passions, about growing up and growing old, about love, hope and reconciliation."
St Katherine's Church - now Canvey Island's Heritage Centre
King Canute Pub - formerly called the Red Cow and used as a rescue centre in 1953, as it is located on slightly higher ground
Post 1953 Sea wall on the coast of Canvey Island
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