Signals of Distress (1994)

Historical novels by contemporary writers are usually about famous historical figures or events. Not so Signals of distress by Jim Crace.

Crace's novel uses a narrative technique often used in drama: a random group of characters is brought together by circumstance, and is forced to spend some time together, before each can go their own way. In drama this is a very forceful technique, which can bring about very interesting confrontations, while the audience is forced in a similar way to keep on listening. This same technique could work well in a novel, but in this novel it's deployment is only moderately successful.

In Signals of distress a group of American sailors, carrying one African-American slave, is stranded in a small port city in Britain, awaiting the completion of repairs on their vessel which was damaged in a gale. They spend a few nights at an inn, together with a traveller, who intends to sail to the US.

Unfortunately, all these characters are rather boring, and none of them are described in any amount of great detail. There is no apparent forceful dilemma, except for the difference in manners between sailors and a middle-class Englishman. The situation of the slave plays a very minor role. Without any further interesting events or developments, the novel remains a rather bland story. A bit as if the author tries his pen, but does not move beyond some simple dabbings.

For its shortcomings in the plot, the novel's descriptions of the English countryside, and the historical couleur locale are impressive. The book is a pleasant read, with considerable, but moderately achieved potential. ( )

This was a poignant and thoughtful book. Aymer Smith reminded me a little of Eugene Henderson in Saul Bellow's Henderson the Rain King. Both characters try so hard to do the right thing, and often their efforts make things worse. I liked the interactions between Aymer Smith and the townspeople of Wherrytown and the American sailors. ( )

This novel reminded me of William Golding's 'Rites of Passage', in that it is about the contrast of opposites; men and manners. Rough and ready sailors and peasants, and the few educated and better off folk, all get thrust together when a storm wrecks one ship and prevents another from sailing. The main character Aymer Smith is a middle-aged innocent; he'll bore the pants off you given a chance, but has his redeeming qualities as he looks for the best in people, and is generous with his shillings and soap (being the agent for a soap company). There to review the kelp harvesting (which provides soda for making soap) he initially falls for young Miggy Bowes, the daughter of a kelper, who promptly falls for one of the sailors instead. He adopts the ship Captain's dog, frees the black slave Otto, and generally manages to get in everyone's way without realising. Eventually the ships can depart and they all go their separate ways. Like Golding, Crace has captured the manners and class of his characters perfectly, making this a very enjoyable read. ( )