THE WINTER SEA tells the story of the Aquino family beginning in the early twentieth century on a very small and poor island off the coast of Italy. Giuseppe Aquino realizes that, although generations of his family have made a living as fishermen, he will not prosper if he stays in Italy. So his family decides to save up money to send him to America, the land of prosperity and hope.

But Giuseppe misses the steamship that is to take him to his new life, so he hops on the next available ship which is bound for Australia instead. A large part of the story deals with Giuseppe's immigration to Australia and his success as a fisherman there. The best part of the story, and most well-developed, is that in which Giuseppe gets married, twice, raises a family, and runs a very successful business in Whitby Point.

The narrative alternates to modern day Australia and tells the story of Cassie, who has fled to the coastal town of Whitby Point, Australia to get over her failed marriage. I did not enjoy the modern part of this story as much as those that dealt with Giuseppe's life. Cassie's story was a bit boring and predictable. It was no surprise that she "gets over" her husband, falls in love again, and finds a new profession.

The most clever part of the story was how Morrissey intertwined the two stories of past and present. There is a bit of a mystery involved that is not unraveled until the very end.

THE WINTER SEA is a quick and delightful read that spans the history of an immigrant family during the twentieth century. If you enjoy historical fiction with an Australian setting then the WINTER SEA is a great choice.

Book Summary

Escaping an unhappy marriage and an unsatisfactory job, Cassie Holloway moves to the little Australian coastal town of Whitby Point. There she meets the Aquino family, whose fishing business was founded by their ancestor, Giuseppe, an Italian immigrant, some ninety years before.

Life for Cassie on the south west coast is sweet as she sets up a successful restaurant and falls in love with Giuseppe's great grandson Michael. But when the family patriarch dies, a devastating family secret is revealed which threatens to destroy her dreams. Cassie's future happiness now rests with her quest for the truth.