THE GREAT OFFSHORE GROUNDS

Xe Sands's silky-smooth narration navigates the treacherous shallows of family conflict. Financial struggle drives much of the story, and Sands adds a tone of desperation and exhaustion as the characters fight to survive. She particularly shines when inhabiting sisters Cheyenne and Livy with an acid tone and growing affection. The women demand their estranged father's inheritance but instead are given knowledge of a family secret. When Essex, a homeless boy, is added, Sands adds an appealing masculine manner to the mix. Family frictions reveal the ties that bind through Sands's portrayals, which become more intense when sickness strikes and the sisters face difficult decisions that force dramatic choices. This dark yet droll novel travels from sea to shining sea, touching on race, the environment, and love. R.O. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2020]