Constant Tides

By: Peter Crawley

Narrated by: Scott Alexander Young

In the early hours of Monday December 28, 1908, a girl steals through the garden of Villa Mazzini. Lilla is on her way to meet Enzo, and together, they intend to leave on a steamship for a new life in America. First, though, they must evade his father’s spies, for Don Carmelo believes the daughter of a fisherman unworthy of his son’s affections; and second, they must survive the greatest earthquake in the city’s long history.

In July 1943, Mira receives a visit from Lieutenant Aldo de la Grascia at her family home in the village of Ganzirri. Mira is fond of the officer and without his continuous gift of provisions, her café would have closed long ago. However, the war has already made her a widow, and Mira isn’t sure if she is ready to love again. Then, late one night, an Italian sailor knocks on her door and asks her to help his companion, a wounded British naval officer.

And in the summer of 2018 on the beach at Capo Peloro, Angelica is intrigued by an Englishwoman who speaks Sicilian in the Messinese dialect and who seems more than a little melancholy. In the afternoon, the woman goes for a swim and is caught in the strong tides that run through the strait. Angelica wonders whether the woman has put herself in danger intentionally and knows there is little that can be done to prevent her from drowning, that is, until a feluca appears.

A three-part novel based on historical events, Constant Tides follows the loves of three courageous women through the spring, summer, and autumn of their lives in the Strait of Messina, Sicily.

©2020 Peter Crawley (P)2020 Peter Crawley

Loved the story and narration

Scott Alexander Young's voice resonates so well in this story. I'm a believer that the voice and quality of the narrator is as important as the novel itself, and here we have both in abundance. Great story, great voice. I do like stories that take us away into the lives of others in the past, and Crawley's novel does this ever so well. Bravo!

Heart felt - with great narration

One of those audio books where the more you listen to the narrator's voice, the more you want to listen. British accent, I believe, and works so well with this warm yet in parts sad story. I enjoyed listening to this over a number of days. Thank you to the author.

Lovely Story

When an earthquake hits, plans of love can be changed. This is an excellent story of love and what gets in the way. Scott Alexander Young did an excellent performance on this book.



This book
was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Highly enjoyable

My first Peter Crawley book and glad I tried it on audio first.
An easy listen, keeping me listening for long sessions.
Enjoyable and quite poignant in parts.The pace was good,and I enjoyed the story looking back at times in the past.

Beautiful story

I read and listened to Peter Crawleys’s Constant Tides at the same time, which worked for me. Highly enjoyable, and difficult not to feel close affinity with the three main characters across the different years. Crawley writes with such beauty and gentle pace. Such a nice change to so many other modern novels that seem to rush everything. A beautiful story that should be enjoyed by so many others.