Twenty-year-old Thomas Flett lives a slow, deliberate life with his mother in Longferry, Northern England, working his grandpa’s trade as a shanker. He rises early to take his horse and cart to the drizzly shore to scrape for shrimp, and spends the afternoon selling his wares, trying to wash away the salt and sea-scum, pining for his neighbor, Joan Wyeth, and playing songs on his guitar. At heart, he is a folk musician, but this remains a private dream.
Then a mysterious American arrives in town and enlists Thomas’s help in finding a perfect location for his next movie. Though skeptical at first, Thomas learns to trust the stranger, Edgar, and, shaken from the drudgery of his days by the promise of Hollywood glamour, begins to see a different future for himself. But how much of what Edgar claims is true, and how far can his inspiration carry Thomas?
Seascraper is a short, lyrical, character-driven literary novel. Set in an isolated British coastal town in the 1960s, the story almost reads like a folk song in prose form—it’s quiet, very atmospheric, and is a deeply human reading experience. The book also has historical context—the description of the gritty labor of “shankers” and the meaningful way the characters communicate will transport readers back to a simpler, more peaceful era. The book was longlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize, which gives you a sense of the emotional impact it brings to readers in only 176 pages!
Set in the 1960s fictional coastal town of Longferry, the story follows twenty-year-old Thomas Flett, who earns a meager living as a “shanker,” scraping the beach for shrimp with his horse-drawn cart. But secretly Thomas plays guitar, writes songs, and dreams of leaving this narrow world behind. Everything shifts when Edgar Acheson, a charismatic American film director, appears, scouting the shoreline for his next movie location. Edgar offers Thomas more than just money—he offers possibility.
Thomas Flett is the heart of this story. He’s soft-spoken, a deep thinker, and full of unexpressed ambition. The story is told via the 3rd-person POV of Thomas, giving readers glimpses into his thoughts, feelings, and perception of the world. His complex relationship with his mother and the little he knows about his absent father add layers to the story. While Tom secretly dreams of more in life, his mother is devoted and practical—constantly reminding him of generational ties and duty. Edgar Acheson, the outsider, is charismatic and a smooth talker—but also not entirely who he seems. His relationship with Thomas is one of mentor and catalyst for Thomas’s self-reflection and confronting his desires and fears—and by the end, Thomas’s arc is beautifully illustrated!
Since the novel is short, it feels very intimate, and some of the slower scenes are extremely immersive. The opening brings readers right into Thomas’s world and routine—the scrape of the sea, his horse, and travels across his seaside town. Once Edgar arrives, the story gets much more interesting, and their conversations and scenic location scouting heighten the emotional stakes. There are some surprises in the second half, including a surreal experience for Thomas that fuels his musical ambitions. The ending is gentle and luminous and includes a gorgeous original song that will linger with readers afterwards!
Readers who enjoy folk music, quiet coming-of-age tales, or books that feel like a beautiful memory or half-remembered song will really love this book!
Narrator Performance
Benjamin Wood narrates the audiobook himself, and his performance feels deeply personal. He portrays Thomas with a soft, honest-sounding voice that perfectly suits his reflective nature. As the story unfolds, and Thomas is forced to confront his fears and dreams, Wood subtly shifts his performance of Thomas to show more vulnerability and defiance in his voice—especially in the dialogue with his mother and Edgar’s own mother late in the story. Wood paces the entire story in an intimate and natural way, giving space for the small but powerful scenes to resonate—perfect for an audiobook that’s only five hours!
Overall, Wood’s narration makes the story feel more like a lyrical folk song than a conventional novel, and it will linger (especially the singing sections!) with those who enjoy wistful, character-driven literary stories!
Narrator Performance
Benjamin Wood narrates the audiobook himself, and his performance feels deeply personal. He portrays Thomas with a soft, honest-sounding voice that perfectly suits his reflective nature. As the story unfolds, and Thomas is forced to confront his fears and dreams, Wood subtly shifts his performance of Thomas to show more vulnerability and defiance in his voice—especially in the dialogue with his mother and Edgar’s own mother late in the story. Wood paces the entire story in an intimate and natural way, giving space for the small but powerful scenes to resonate—perfect for an audiobook that’s only five hours!
Overall, Wood’s narration makes the story feel more like a lyrical folk song than a conventional novel, and it will linger (especially the singing sections!) with those who enjoy wistful, character-driven literary stories!
Benjamin Wood narrates the audiobook himself, and his performance feels deeply personal. He portrays Thomas with a soft, honest-sounding voice that perfectly suits his reflective nature. As the story unfolds, and Thomas is forced to confront his fears and dreams, Wood subtly shifts his performance of Thomas to show more vulnerability and defiance in his voice—especially in the dialogue with his mother and Edgar’s own mother late in the story. Wood paces the entire story in an intimate and natural way, giving space for the small but powerful scenes to resonate—perfect for an audiobook that’s only five hours!
Overall, Wood’s narration makes the story feel more like a lyrical folk song than a conventional novel, and it will linger (especially the singing sections!) with those who enjoy wistful, character-driven literary stories!
