Seascraper is a quiet, atmospheric gem of a novel, just 175 pages but full of depth and feeling. Set in a small coastal English town in the mid-20th century, it follows Thomas Flett, a kind-hearted shrimper who lives a simple life with his mother. When an American named Edgar Atcheson arrives, full of charm and plans to make a film, Thomas is drawn into a couple of days of disruption and possibility.

The writing is calm and immersive, with an almost eerie stillness. Thomas is such a good man, steady, sincere, and easy to root for. This is a beautiful, contemplative read that quietly stays with you.

Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC!

I really wanted to like this book as I loved the mood that it created. I would liken the first half to the style of Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, through the desolate atmosphere created and the imagery of the beach. But it felt like the story just never quite found its feet through the development of Edgar's character and the storyline that he brought didn't really go anywhere - I wanted more from this. I think some of my disappointment comes from the blurb provided through NetGalley as it didn't feel quite like what was described. I was expecting a greater influence of folk music throughout the story and the story involving Thomas grappling with the desire to leave Longferry for the US. Despite this, I do think the imagery and mood created was brilliant. The writing was fluid, and the characters of Thomas and his mum were really compelling. I would rate it 3/5 stars.

A quietly evocative short novel (novella?) focused on Thomas, a shanker / shrimper in a small town on the NW coast in the 60s. The grind of dragging for shrimp at low tide with a horse and cart is made vividly alive, along with the very modest dreams of maybe playing a few songs in a folk club. The arrival of a brash American film director offers some hope, and the subsequent events are beautifully portrayed. I’ve not read any of Wood’s work before but I’m going to seek them out.

Over the years, Benjamin Wood has become one of those writers I trust enough that any new book is a must-read. I can always count on Wood for great writing – lean, lovely prose, never showy – but the themes are unpredictable; I never know quite what I’m going to get. The campus novel with a capital-W Weird twist in The Bellwether Revivals; the art novel-slash-psychological puzzle of The Ecliptic; the sizzling violence and tension in A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better; and a quieter, more subdued historical novel in The Young Accomplice. And now Seascraper, which feels like it follows most naturally from its immediate predecessor, yet with a markedly different tone: edgier, more mystical.

Thomas Flett is a ‘shanker’, a shrimp-dragger with a horse, cart and nets – out on the tidal flats doing the job his grandfather did, even though it’s the 1960s now and that world is already folding in on itself. He loves playing music, but doesn’t even feel it’s an appropriate hobby for a man like him, let alone a way to make a living. Thomas is a man trapped between lives: on the one hand, he’s only 20 and lives with his mother (herself still young; she was a teenage mum), who often treats him like he’s still a boy. On the other hand, he’s old before his time, worn down by the physical demands of his work, and feels it’s already too late to make changes to his life.

Into this monotony bursts Edgar Acheson, a film producer who’s been scouting for locations in the area and thinks Longferry beach, Thomas’s shrimping turf, would be perfect for his next project. It’s difficult to go into exactly what happens next without spoiling the whole thing. But it’s about Thomas coming to terms with his legacy – his dying trade, his father’s absence – and how Edgar’s presence has a life-changing ripple effect, even if not in the way Thomas, or the reader, might expect. There’s arguably a touch of magical realism in there, too.

Seascraper is a short novel, and if I have a criticism, it’s that it could have been fleshed out so much more. Thomas’s relationship with his mother, the pivotal prophecy or vision, the whole situation with Edgar… I would have liked to explore any (or all) of these threads further. I would have liked to read some of The Outermost, a fictitious book within the book that could have added an extra layer of unreality to the whole thing. (Although I appreciate ‘unreality’ is not necessarily what Wood is going for here; it’s me who has the instinct to turn towards the strange.)

If you liked Ben Tufnell’s The North Shore or James Clarke’s Sanderson’s Isle, this one will probably hit. Tighter and more focused than The Young Accomplice, it’s a good balance of tension and sentiment, the sort of balancing act that only someone with Wood’s talent could actually pull off.

Beautifully written book about loneliness and fitting in. The twist in the story was subtle but quite devastating because it was delivered with a twist of dark humour. An American with big ideas and wild plans turns up out of the blue and you understand immediately that Thomas's life will never be the same again. I loved the way it evoked the area it was set in so well - the cold, thick fog and wind all added to Thomas's sense of isolation and ultimately, hope.

Set in a fictional coast town – Longferry (a fictionalised version of the author’s home town and so I think on the North West Coast of England – although this is not specified) and set by deduction in the 1960s (again not specified – and the main protagonist is effectively living what was already then an outmoded almost anachronistic way of life making the exact timing difficult to judge), the novel’s (the Creative Writing Lecturer’s fifth) protagonist is twenty year old Thomas Flett.

Thomas is working in the family trade (via his maternal grandfather) as a shanker – taking his horse and cart out across the 1-2 mile long beach at each low water (the book effectively takes place over three such low waters over two days) to scrape just across the sea shore for shrimp - which he then sells for cash in hand to a local merchant.

Thomas lives with his mother – his father was her teacher and had relationships with her as a schoolchild before fleeing in disgrace to join up and being killed in the war – and his deliberately unnamed horse (the risk of having to abandon horse in sinkpits in the sand mean that traditionally the shankers have not got too sentimentally attached to their horses – albeit a close working relationship is essential to their trade).

Thomas lives a slow, deliberate life with his mother, working his grandpa’s trade as a shanker. He rises early to take his horse and cart to the grey, gloomy beach to scrape for shrimp; spending the rest of the day selling his wares, trying to wash away the salt and scum, pining for Joan Wyeth down the street and rehearsing songs on his guitar. At heart, he is a folk musician, but it remains a private dream.

For all Thomas feels almost obliged to pursue this trade and support his mother in her hand-to-mouth home economics, he yearns for a different future and secretly is practising his folk guitar playing while also trying to pluck up (pun intended) the courage to speak to the sister of his best friend.

And over the two days of the novel – a new vista opens up when he and his mother are visited by an American filmmaker (who Thomas checks out in a film guide at his local shop) scouting for a location to film his favourite novel set – a mysterious ghost like story set on a desolate American beach and involving an undertaker’s horse and cart.

And while not everything about the visitor turns out to be exactly as he initially promised, a beach accident leading to a fevered dream unlocks a creativity in Thomas and leads him to write the titular song.

Overall this was a quiet and short but nevertheless impactful novel.

I didn't know what to expect from this book and I kept wondering why I had requested it but I absolutely loved it.
I've used this phrase before but it really is like a painting with words. Thomas is stuck in life. he has dreams. he loves music. His father has long gone and died. His mother loves him but as a single parent has found it hard and it has taken its toll. Enter Edgar with promises of fame and fortune that turn both their heads. All is not what it seems though. Any more would be a spoiler.
Beautifully written and the characters three dimensional, believable and well crafted. Haunting, poignant, the reality of dreaming, disappointment, coming to terms with reality. A great book for a book club discussion.
A brilliant book and so pleased I read it

I loved this book.
The basic story of the shrimp fisherman is interesting and would have been good enough on its own.
There are however a number of excellent stories interlaced within the main story.
None of these stories are straightforward, there are either twists and turns or surprises at all levels.
I really liked the characters. I loved all of the stories.
I could not even think of a way that the book could be improved.
My thanks to the author for the hours of enjoyment that the book has brought me, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a gorgeously atmospheric short read and one I would recommend for the cooler months, especially if you enjoy a character driven book.

Seascraper follows Thomas as he goes about his daily life and following in the footsteps of the men before him. Feeling stuck in his life he jumps at the chance of excitement when a stranger comes to town and asks for his advice.

This book is so evocative and you really feel as though you are out in the foggy sand with Thomas and feel each turn of the cart’s wheel as if you were actually there. I look forward to whatever Wood releases next.

I did unfortunately have to dnf this.

The writing was too dialogue heavy for me with very little room pause. However, it was written well, very evocative and atmospheric.

This was brilliant. A novel set over 24 hours where nothing is as it seems. Thomas is a shanker. A shrimp fisherman who uses a horse and nets to catch shrimp. It's a hard life. When Tom comes home from work one day there's a mystery man in his kitchen, offering to change Tom's life.
Tom's life will change for the better, and not in the way we think. The place where Thomas works is a liminal space: the sea is miles out, there is quicksand and traps. He's caught between the past and present., his way of earning money is dying out. The past reaches out and gives Tom a glimpse of a different future.

What a fantastic book. Although short this novel really packs a punch and I will be thinking about it for a long time. A chance encounter has a profound affect on our main character Thomas and by the end of the book it’s seems inevitable that it will change his life.

I loved everything about this novel, a stunning depiction of a hardworking man, trawling the low tide daily on Longferry beach in search of shrimp.

Day after day, Thomas is out there in the mist and drizzle with just his horse for company until Hollywood film director Edgar Acheson arrives in town and wants his help scouting locations for a movie and Thomas dares to dream that life could be better.

This talented author brings to life a northern seaside town community with great characterisation and perfect scene setting, my only criticism it wasn't long enough.

Benjamin Wood's Seascraper is an atmospheric novella set in a coastal town where Thomas, who never knew his father, lives with his mother and gathers shrimp for a living as his grandfather did.. It took me a while to pinpoint the era it is set in, but the clues eventually locate it in the 1960's. Thomas loves folk music and is learning to play but is not confident enough to play at the local club. A meeting with a stranger changes the course of his life, or at least galvanises Thomas to make a change. I felt the book come alive at the point where he gets into trouble in a sinkpit on the beach and has a vivid dream/vision.

I tried hard to get into this book but it just didn’t interest me. If you like a slower pace of storytelling and a narrative rich in description then this is for you.

This is an outstanding novella centered around the lonesome Tom and his small world. It is incredibly engaging from the outset. The mist, the sea, the drudgery; all weigh heavy and amplify an atmosphere of constraint.

Born from a teenage pregnancy, Tom is raised by his young mother and his grandfather, who taught him to scrape the sea for shrimp. Tom is of a soft nature, and he loves books and music, but finds himself confined within the framework of the life he inherited.

He encounters Edgar, a glamorous stranger and is strongly inspired by how another man uses his talent for work. For a solitary guy, he makes a beautiful connection with Edgar who represents a world of possibilities for Tom.

It is a beautiful story, so heartwarming, so humane and so hopeful.

I really enjoyed this, the writing and the flow are enchanting.

Let me start off by proclaiming, what a talented writer! Benjamin Wood has a way with words to where you feel every facet of the character's surroundings and emotions. In the case of Seascraper, the overwhelming feelings elicited are that of longing, dreariness, routine, melancholy and an unfulfilled life. You get a sense of long days of labor, where every fibre of your being is tired. In fact, I had to remind myself that the characters were much younger than I imagined. The main character, Tom, is only twenty years of age, but it felt as if he was more like forty years of age. His place of joy is holding a guitar in his hands and singing. As a reader, you hope he gets the opportunity to follow his passion.

This is by no means a joyful read, but the crafting of the writing is magical. It's atmospheric. I wanted more. This story was much shorter than I anticipated. When I reached the last page, I felt like I must be missing something. Is this where it ends? Perhaps. Perhaps it is a short story meant to stimulate discussion and urge the reader to pursue his/her passion(s). I'm not sure, but I have been thinking about this book quite a bit, especially when it comes to monotony. Monotony can be predictable but paralysing.

Thank you to Penguin General UK for the opportunity to read this advanced copy via NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. My feelings are currently hovering around a 3.5 star rating.

Seascraper by Benjamin Wood

Tom lives a slow, deliberate life with his mother in Longferry, working his grandfather’s trade as a shanker. His heart is in his music, but these ambitions seem far away from the dreary town around him. Instead he rises early to take his horse and cart to the grey gloomy beach and scrape for shrimp, spending the rest of his time selling his wares, looking after his Ma, and daydreaming about Joan Wyath down the street.

Wow , a brilliant , and short book that's not like anything I've ever read .
Ethereal , and at times, almost dreamlike in quality .
Once read your mind will wander back to it . Amazing.

An enthralling novella right from the start. There is something deeply moving, something profound, something that touches on what it means to be alive, in this novel that makes it extremely special.

Utterly original, it follows Thomas Flett who spends his days on the shore of an isolated beach. An American director requires his help and in 24 hours everything has changed.

A story about the limitations of being born into a particular class and the expectations that come with it. It is a story about unlikely friendships. It is beautifully, vividly written and is a novel to be savoured. There is something really special here.

Once I finished reading Seascraper, I listened to the song written by Thomas Flett - it gave me goosebumps!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Benjamin Wood’s Seascraper is a haunting and beautifully crafted novella that immerses readers in the bleak yet mesmerizing world of Thomas Flett, a young shanker scraping out a meagre existence on the shores of Longferry. Set against the backdrop of a cold, misty Northern England coastline, the story is a poignant exploration of hardship, hope, and the human spirit’s resilience.

Thomas, only twenty but aged by the gruelling demands of his work, is the last of the shankers—those who eke out a living from what the sea washes ashore. But the tides now bring more than salvage; they carry strange chemicals and debris, a grim reminder of a changing world. Thomas dreams of more: of love for Joan Wyeth, his best friend’s sister, and of a life beyond Longferry as a musician. When Edgar Acheson, a charismatic American claiming to be a Hollywood filmmaker, arrives with promises of money and opportunity, Thomas is faced with a choice that could change his life—or lead him into danger.

Wood’s writing is vivid and evocative, painting a stark yet stunning portrait of a coastal town shrouded in winter’s gloom. The descriptions are so rich and visual that readers can almost feel the biting cold and hear the crash of the waves. The atmosphere shifts masterfully throughout the story, from the sombre grind of Thomas’s daily routine to moments of warmth and optimism brought by Joan’s presence and the allure of Edgar’s promises. The novella captures a sense of claustrophobia, both in the physical mist that envelops the shoreline and in the emotional confines of Thomas’s life.

At its core, Seascraper is a character study of Thomas, whose growth and inner strength shine through over the course of two transformative days. Wood’s portrayal of his struggles, aspirations, and moral dilemmas is deeply human and relatable. The story is punctuated by moments of tension and danger, particularly in the dramatic shoreline scenes, which add a thrilling edge to the narrative.

This is a quiet yet powerful story, filled with moments of surreal beauty and unexpected depth. Wood’s ability to make readers feel as though they are standing alongside Thomas, observing the world of Longferry, is a testament to his skill as a writer. Seascraper is a memorable and thought-provoking read, perfect for fans of literary fiction that blends atmosphere, character, and emotion.

A great read for people who enjoy atmospheric literary fiction with rich descriptions and strong character development.