The Sea Lady

The most recent novel by Margaret Drabble, The Sea Lady tells a story of first and last love, of evolution and the ebb and flow of time that gives shape to our lives.

Humphrey and Ailsa meet as children by a grey, northern sea. Humphrey is quiet, serious - and will in time explore the sea''s mysteries; Ailsa is angry, a freckled cobra ready to strike. Yet they fascinate one another and when they meet again years later they fall briefly - and disastrously - in love.

Half a lifetime passes before Humphrey and Ailsa''s paths finally re-cross. What will each make of their past? And of the future?

''The Sea Lady proves [Drabble] remains one of the most thought-provoking and intellectually challenging writers around'' FT Magazine

''A pleasure to read . . . utterly engrossing'' Guardian

''Drabble excels at describing the minute detail of human behaviour . . . The Sea Lady is a potent tribute to lost dreams