The Perfume Sea By Margaret Laurence Summary
Introduction
The Perfume Sea is a novel written by Margaret Laurence, a Canadian author, and is set in a small coastal town in British Columbia. The novel was first published in 1977 and features a cast of characters who are struggling with their own personal demons and trying to find their place in the world.
Plot Summary
The story opens with the arrival of two newcomers to the town, a young woman named Nita and her daughter Laine. Nita has come to the town to escape her troubled past and start a new life for herself and her daughter. Laine is a quiet, introverted child who has trouble making friends.
As Nita and Laine settle into their new home, they begin to make friends with some of the other residents of the town, including a young boy named Robbie and an elderly woman named Mrs. Dexter.
However, the tranquility of the town is soon shattered when a group of developers arrive with plans to build a resort on the town's pristine shoreline. The developers promise jobs and economic growth, but the residents of the town are divided over whether the resort is a good idea.
As tensions rise in the town, Nita begins to confront her past and her own personal demons. She also becomes involved in the fight against the developers, leading to a dramatic confrontation that will change the town forever.
Themes
The Perfume Sea explores a number of themes, including the struggle for personal identity, the impact of development on small communities, and the importance of finding one's place in the world.
The novel also examines the role of women in society and the challenges they face, particularly in the 1970s when the book was written. Nita, the protagonist, is a strong and independent woman who is trying to break free from the constraints of her past and build a new life for herself and her daughter.
Characters
The Perfume Sea features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities and struggles. Some of the main characters include:
- Nita - the protagonist, a young woman trying to start a new life for herself and her daughter
- Laine - Nita's daughter, a quiet and introverted child who has trouble making friends
- Robbie - a young boy who befriends Nita and Laine
- Mrs. Dexter - an elderly woman who becomes a friend and mentor to Nita
- The developers - a group of businessmen who want to build a resort in the town
Writing Style
Margaret Laurence is known for her descriptive and evocative writing style, which brings the small coastal town in The Perfume Sea to life. Her characters are complex and realistic, with their own flaws and strengths.
Laurence also explores a number of important social issues in the novel, but does so in a way that is never heavy-handed or preachy. Instead, she allows the story and characters to speak for themselves, creating a powerful and thought-provoking work of fiction.
Conclusion
The Perfume Sea is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores a range of important social issues. Margaret Laurence's evocative writing style brings the small coastal town to life, while her complex and realistic characters are sure to resonate with readers.