Catch up on our webchat with Book of the Month The Tidal Zone author Sarah Moss

[SorchaMumsnet]

If you haven't read anything by Sarah Moss yet, start now – with our May Book of the Month, The Tidal Zone. Following a family going through an unexpected crisis, this wise and witty novel takes a magnifying glass to the NHS, parenting and the stories we tell about ourselves.

When 15-year-old Miriam is found lying in the school playground not breathing, stay-at-home dad Adam and GP mum Emma find their world turned upside down. Suddenly, long hospital stays lacking conclusion and the constant weight of uncertainty become part of their everyday struggles. What is wrong with Miriam? And why has this happened to their family?

In The Tidal Zone, Sarah Moss insightfully and often wryly comments on our health service and parenthood, but also she explores the narratives we tell ourselves – from birth, to our inevitable deaths. Sarah herself is a Mumsnet Books favourite - Night Waking was our Book of the Month in May 2012 and we're thrilled to have her back. The Tidal Zone is tipped to be her breakout novel so jump on the bandwagon, quick!

Join the discussion on this thread and chat to Sarah Moss here from 9 -10pm on Wednesday 7 June.

Gutted I missed the chat but I received a free copy so here is my review.

I loved this book. I found it very hard to read to begin with as my son has similar health problems and I related far too closely to the story. It was very tense and I didn't think I could cope with the emotional response I was experiencing to be able to read it. I'm so glad I did though. It really managed to convey how all consuming childhood illness is and how it never leaves you. It was excellently written and I thoroughly recommend it.

Sadly I completely missed the web chat as I also loved this book! I really liked the perspective of the stay at home dad - and could relate to many of his experiences as the primary carer and his frustrations with his wife's lack of knowledge about the day to day humdrum of dealing with the kids. I've felt like that many times, although we both work full time, but our balance is slowing shifting now I work some miles away and dh mainly works at home - so I could really relate to those bits of the story. I also love the way Sarah wrote about the strain of MIriam's illness and every day working life on Adam and Emma's relationship.

I agree that the back story of the grandfather and the history of the Cathedral seemed disjointed at first but as I got through the book I felt that was intentional and was giving Adam a distraction from the stress of the here and now. I thought the description of the night of the Coventry bombing was excellent.

I thought there was so much in it for a relatively small book that I have been thinking about it for a long time after I finished it and was loathe to start anything else. Will definitely be looking up her other books.

Thanks so much for the free book Mumsnet.

Many thanks, Mumsnet, for a copy of this book. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the online webchat. But it's good to be able to read the author's thoughtful responses to the questions from other users.

The story itself is very interesting. It really highlights the emotional turmoil and constant day-to-day troubles that families facing similar situations to the characters go through.

The author's future books are ones to look out for ...

I really enjoyed this book it was beautifully written and took you on a journey from the very first page. At times I felt it jumped around a little, maybe a little too much for my liking. Saying that, because it's written so well you begin to become part of the story and care about the thoughts and feelings of the characters very early on. It definitely makes you think about the turmoil and emotional upset others may be going through. A beautiful book, would definitely recommend.

Thanks for the review copy MNHQ. I am quite conflicted about this book. The description and observation in the book is sometimes absolutely outstanding and so believable and of our time. However, the book as a whole did not draw me in the way I thought it would. Perhaps this was due to the fact it was more about everyday life than a developing plot. The other interludes were interesting but did not always fit together well in my view. However, I do enjoy looking at people's space in the world as part of their wider family history. I felt a strong affinity to Adam. I would definitely be interested in reading Night Waking.

Thanks so much for introducing me to Sarah Moss. Although I could not win the giveaway, I got my hands on Tidal Zone and loved it!!

onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/tidal-zone-sarah-moss.html

Sorry for very late review, just managed to get it finished after holiday and having a lot of library books to get through.
I really enjoyed The Tidal Zone. It wasn't what I expected after reading the cover information, I was expecting some sort of crime drama, but it was a very good narrative of a family dealing with trauma and a major life event. As a GP myself, I found Emma's character, and the way the medical issues were dealt with, very realistic. It was a pleasant change to have the narration from a male point of view, as this isn't too usual in this kind of book, and I liked the character of Adam. I did find the chapters about he cathedral interesting initially, and I can see why they were there, but I must admit I got a bit bored of them towards the end, and ended up skim reading them. The ending was a bit disappointing for me, I was expecting some sort of twist or drama, and just to have it end was a bit deflating. Maybe I read too many crime novels! Overall, I did enjoy the book,and would read more by this author