Here Beside the Rising Tide is Emily Jane’s sophomore novel following her successful debut On Earth as It Is on Television. This imaginative new work masterfully blends elements of science fiction, family drama, and romance while exploring themes of childhood friendship, parental love, and the bittersweet nature of time.
Story Overview
The novel follows Jenn Lanaro (née Farrow), a successful romance novelist going through a divorce, as she takes her two Pokemon-obsessed children to Pearl Island for the summer. The island holds deep significance for Jenn—it’s where she spent her childhood and where, thirty years ago, she lost her best friend Timmy Caruso to a mysterious drowning incident. But when a ten-year-old boy emerges from the nighttime sea claiming to be Timmy, Jenn’s planned escape becomes an adventure that challenges her understanding of reality, family, and love.
Strengths and Literary Merit
Masterful Genre Blending
Emily Jane demonstrates remarkable skill in weaving together multiple genres. The novel begins as contemporary women’s fiction, with Jenn navigating divorce and career pressures, before introducing elements of magical realism and science fiction. The appearance of strange sea creatures and ultimately the terrifying Tentageddon creates a unique narrative that somehow feels both whimsical and grounded.
Character Development
The characters are wonderfully authentic, particularly Jenn’s children, Evie and Mason. Their obsession with Pokemon, their screen time battles, and their ability to adapt to extraordinary circumstances feel genuine and contemporary. Jenn herself is a complex protagonist, struggling with her roles as mother, writer, and suddenly-single woman while rediscovering her own childhood self.
Humor and Heart
Despite dealing with heavy themes like loss and family dissolution, the novel maintains a light touch through clever humor and endearing moments. The sugar-addicted squidinox creatures provide comic relief while serving as a metaphor for childhood wonder and joy.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Issues
The middle section of the novel occasionally drags, particularly during the extended sequences of feeding candy to the squidinox. While these scenes serve character development, they could have been tightened without losing their impact.
Plot Convenience
Some plot resolutions feel too neat, particularly regarding the Tentageddon’s eventual defeat. The solution relies heavily on convenient timing and somewhat undermines the threat that had been built up throughout the narrative.
Themes and Symbolism
Time and Memory
The novel expertly explores how time shapes our memories and relationships. Through Timmy’s time travel and Jenn’s mother’s brief return, Jane examines how we perceive our past selves and loved ones.
Parenthood and Identity
Jenn’s struggle to balance her creative work with parenting reflects contemporary challenges many parents face. The novel thoughtfully explores how parents can maintain their individual identities while nurturing their children’s growth.
Writing Style and Technical Elements
Jane’s prose is accessible yet lyrical, with moments of genuine beauty interspersed with snappy dialogue and humorous observations. The structure, alternating between present-day narrative and excerpts from Jenn’s Philipia Bay novels, provides interesting meta-commentary on storytelling and escapism.
Impact and Relevance
Here Beside the Rising Tide resonates particularly well in our current cultural moment, addressing themes of work-life balance, screen time addiction, and the challenge of maintaining wonder in an increasingly complex world. The novel’s environmental undertones, while subtle, add another layer of contemporary relevance.
Final Verdict
Here Beside the Rising Tide is a uniquely charming novel that successfully balances whimsy with emotional depth. While not perfect, its blend of genres and themes creates an engaging reading experience that will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction who aren’t afraid of a little magic in their stories.
Who Should Read This Book
- Readers who enjoy genre-blending fiction
- Parents navigating work-life balance
- Fans of magical realism
- Anyone nostalgic for childhood summers
- Readers who appreciated Emily Jane’s debut novel
Comparable Titles
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- On Earth as It Is on Television by Emily Jane
Conclusion
Emily Jane has crafted a remarkable second novel that showcases her growth as a writer while maintaining the quirky charm that made her debut so memorable. Despite some minor flaws, Here Beside the Rising Tide succeeds as both an entertaining adventure and a thoughtful meditation on family, time, and the enduring power of childhood friendship. It’s a summer read that will leave readers thinking about its themes long after the season ends.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its ability to make the fantastical feel deeply personal and emotionally true. Whether describing a massive sea monster battle or a quiet moment between mother and child, Jane maintains an authentic voice that keeps readers invested in both the extraordinary and ordinary aspects of her story.
