And the seas shall turn to lemonade

by Sandra Nicholls

A darkly humorous romp through the tortuous relationship between two academic misfits, and their crackpot scheme to establish a commune. Witty, humane, and ultimately tender, this novel has eccentric characters, surprising plot turns, and a snappy sense of both humour and history.

Genres: Canada, Fiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2011

About the author

Sandra Nicholls is an award-winning writer who has published two books of poetry and numerous short stories. After spending three years teaching English in a small Maritime town, she got the idea for her first novel, the quirky and darkly humorous And the Seas Shall Turn to Lemonade, published in July, 2011. She was shortlisted for the K.M.Hunter Artists Award for Literature and the Pat Lowther Award, and won the Archibald Lampman Award for her second book of poetry, Woman of Sticks, Woman of Stones. Sandra also writes song lyrics for her husband, composer and guitarist Roddy Ellias. She is currently working on a second novel, The Third Road, set in Malaya in the 1950s during the Communist uprising.

Reviews

[Cmgeyer]

I'm delighted to have discovered this smart and unusual novel, with its evocative prose, rich imagery, endearing characters, and sheer conviction of world-building.

I see that some have made a comparison to the writing style of Annie Proulx. Definitely true! And may I venture comparisons as well to Nabokov's deadpan depiction of academic idiosyncrasies in Pale Fire, Iris Murdoch's offbeat romances in novels such as A Severed Head, and Carson McCullers' astringent sympathy for misfit couples in The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other Stories.

A truly rewarding read.

[Roger Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The exquisite title was irresistible. What could it mean?
The story revolves around the quirky utopian-socialist philosophy of Charles Fourier (1772-1837). But don’t let that put you off. In places, it put me in mind of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary. Especially with its cast of eccentric characters populating the old-fashioned college town of Chisholm, Nova Scotia.
There are four main characters, Professor Nathaniel Speck, an expert in arcane Medieval household etiquettes and womanly chores, his attractive colleague, Professor Tabitha Black, who has an unquenchable desire for unsuitable men, and Brian MacDonald and his wife, Laura, who has a fantastic business idea to read bedsheets, as in the style of reading tea leaves. What follows is a humourous yet thoughtful bedroom farce that never fails to entertain.
Things nearly end in tragedy, but things turned out satisfactorily for those concerned.
The writing is superb. It rattles along at a pace, each sentence beautifully written with wonderfully evocative and imaginative prose.
The editing is excellent, which is often absent from self-published books. I can only imagine a major publisher letting this one slip through their fingers.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read and can highly recommend it.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's smart and funny.

[Ian Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ottawa author Sandra Nicholls’ first work of fiction is a rare treat. How this absolutely delightful self-published novel escaped the ravenous grasp of a major publisher is indeed a mystery. For each line of it is meticulously crafted to depict an epic struggle by a cast of somewhat eccentric individuals against the conventionalism of a small-town Maritime town. Steeped in idealistic utopianism, primal sexual urges and biting satire, Nicholls’ tale stirs the imagination while leaving more than one smile on the reader’s face.

In the small college town of Chisholm, Nova Scotia, Professor Nathaniel Speck has achieved fame for his best-selling book on social etiquette and practical living, derived from his in-depth study of Medieval womanhood. But his oafish appearance and complete disconnect with modern conventions make him an excellent candidate for life-long bachelorhood. A fellow academic, the urbane and beautiful Tabitha Black strives in vain to validate her theories of utopian human attraction by sleeping her way through half of the "eligible" men in Chisholm before setting her sights on her handsome but married dry cleaner and financial adviser, Brian MacDonald. Brian's wife, Laura, then ventures out of her own comfort zone to test out her hypothesis that conjugal bliss or disappointment can be scientifically measured by the folds of a marital bed. And Fiona, an object of Nathaniel Speck’s childhood sexual fantasies and his “fourth” cousin twice removed, lands on his doorstep to announce that she has left her philandering husband and is moving in. The novel takes the reader through campus lobster boils, failed mail-order romance, adulterous premature ejaculation and artistic romps on the beach with young vixens before convening the Chisholm quartet for a life-and-death adventure one brutally cold winter night. Of course, along the way, there are a few barbs and deadly glances traded among the three women who inexplicably find the socially inept Nathaniel Speck at the centre of their new lives.

Although And the Seas Shall Turn to Lemonade follows an entertaining, well laid-out plot, the real strength of Nicholls’ writing is her tapestry of succinct, evocative prose. There is not an adjective or noun out of place, or phrase better chosen. In short, it is a writers’ novel and an editor’s dream—one to read with relish and attention, with a view to respectful emulation.

[David Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this first novel from Sandra Nicholls to be intriguing at every turn. From its enigmatic title to its surprising ending, this book was a delight to read. It features two quirky academics (what other kinds are there, after all?) teaching at fictional St. Simons University in Chisolm, Nova Scotia. Professor Tabitha Black, a specialist in Utopian socialism, is seeking fulfillment by planning her own Utopian community based on the writings of Charles Fourier (he of the lemonade quote). Nathaniel Speck is a Medieval Studies professor with a daunting reputation but a hollow love life. Nathaniel's broken cousin Fiona and Laura, the lonely wife of Tabitha's last sexual conquest, complete an unlikely quartet of characters. As it gently skewers and satirizes small town and small university life, the novel weaves a tale of these four lost souls who magically find love and happiness in a community of their own accidental making. An engaging and humorous read that deserves to be a finalist in this year's competition for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.

[Nick Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Nicholls' previous poetic works, I came into this novel expecting the familiar artful dodges between the personal and societal, the individual's experience and the collective image. On the one hand, this novel does such, forming a satirical backdrop for various odysseys through life, love, and relationships. However, the voice privileges an individual treatment of each of the highly-relatable characters. Characters that seem familiar in everyday life, the housewife, the aloof academic, the father and community pillar, and the alienated, liberal woman, above all, transcend these labels and pave the way for hope. I found this extremely gratifying. The book, not just satire, happens toward a more tribal existence, forsaking the superficiality of a previous existence. It is an excellent read, very relevant to many common feelings and tastes. I would recommend "And the Seas Shall Turn to Lemonade" to anyone. A Great book!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, the measure of a great read is how well-thumbed my particular copy of a novel is at story's end. As proof of my enjoyment of "And the Seas Shall Turn to Lemonade," I offer a bounty of folded page corners (86, 100, 110, 122, 167...), an over-fluffed interior fan, and well-creased cover. From unique turn of phrase to broad concept, this is a compelling and solid joy ride that calls to mind the quirky turns and rich characters of Annie Proulx's marvellous "The Shipping News." An impressive debut that begs follow-up.

[Jasmine Aziz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best, most crisply written novels I have read in a long time. Sandra effortlessly weaves satire throughout the novel while still making sharp political and profound statements. I laughed out loud at some of the scenes which were so visually depicted in her poetic prose that it was like watching a movie reel unfold in my mind's eye. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly, highly recommend it to everyone.

[Barbara Sibbald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra Nicholls has created her own utopian community from a cast of imperfect but perfectly likeable characters. Intelligent, extremely funny (it rang the LOL meter in every chapter) and compelling, try not to gulp this novel down in one sitting; it's worth savouring. Highly recommended

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit slow-going at first, but that was just because it was slowly pulling me into the story. This was a very interesting read that was hard to put down. It's one of those books you know you'll want to read again, so I keep it handy. Well-written and unique!

[Catherine Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, thoughtful, and entertaining read. Coming from an academic family, I always appreciate stories of personal and professional bickering and misbehavior.

Read it soon. Before the seas turn to lemonade.