'By The Turtles of Tasman' Summary

The novel follows the journey of two brothers, William and John, who, despite their divergent paths in life, find themselves unexpectedly drawn together by a shared tragedy. William, a successful entrepreneur in San Francisco, struggles to reconcile his ambition with the emotional burden of raising his daughter, Lucy, who is fiercely independent and struggles to understand her father’s rigid ways. John, the elder brother, is a free spirit, a sailor who has spent most of his life at sea. He is a charismatic figure, but his past actions have left him with a strained relationship with his own daughter, Mary, a woman of strong moral convictions who finds it difficult to trust her father. The story unfolds as the brothers embark on a voyage to the Tasman Sea, a journey that forces them to confront their past mistakes and their contrasting values. The journey is fraught with danger, and the brothers' relationship is tested as they navigate the treacherous waters, battling storms and encountering the untamed beauty of the natural world. The ocean, a constant presence in the narrative, serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of life and the ever-present threat of the unknown. As the journey progresses, the brothers begin to understand the importance of family and the power of forgiveness. Through their shared experiences at sea, William and John are forced to confront their personal flaws and learn to appreciate the value of love and connection. The novel ends with a sense of hope and reconciliation, suggesting that even the most distant of families can find their way back to each other.