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Table of Contents
About The Book
INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
CBC Books “86 Works of Canadian Fiction to Read in the First Half of 2023”
CBC Books “40 Canadian Books to Read This Summer”
From the writer and producer of the hit TV shows Republic of Doyle and Son of a Critch, a poignant coming-of-age debut novel about the mysterious disappearance of a young girl and the fragility of childhood bonds, set against the backdrop of a small island community adapting to an ever-changing landscape.
In 1991, on a small, isolated island off the coast of Newfoundland, twelve-year-old Pierce Jacobs struggles to come to terms with the death of his father. It’s been three years since his dad, a fisherman, disappeared in the cold, unforgiving Atlantic, his body never recovered. Pierce is determined to save enough money to fix his father’s old boat and take it out to sea. But life on the island is quiet and hard. The local fishing industry is on the brink of collapse, threatening to take an ages-old way of life with it. The community is hit even harder when a young teen named Anna Tessier goes missing.
With the help of his three friends, Pierce sets out to find Anna, with whom he shared an unusual but special bond. They soon cross paths with Solomon Vickers, a mysterious, hermetic fisherman who may have something to do with the missing girl. Their search brings them into contact with unrelenting bullies, magnificent sea creatures, fierce storms, and glacial giants. But most of all, it brings them closer to the brutal reality of both the natural and the modern world.
Part coming-of-age story, part literary mystery, and part suspense thriller, Closer by Sea is a page-turning, poignant, and powerful novel about family, friendship, and community set at a pivotal time in modern Newfoundland history. It is an homage to a people and a place, and above all it captures that delicate and tender moment when the wonder of childhood innocence gives way to the harsh awakening of adult experience.
CBC Books “86 Works of Canadian Fiction to Read in the First Half of 2023”
CBC Books “40 Canadian Books to Read This Summer”
From the writer and producer of the hit TV shows Republic of Doyle and Son of a Critch, a poignant coming-of-age debut novel about the mysterious disappearance of a young girl and the fragility of childhood bonds, set against the backdrop of a small island community adapting to an ever-changing landscape.
In 1991, on a small, isolated island off the coast of Newfoundland, twelve-year-old Pierce Jacobs struggles to come to terms with the death of his father. It’s been three years since his dad, a fisherman, disappeared in the cold, unforgiving Atlantic, his body never recovered. Pierce is determined to save enough money to fix his father’s old boat and take it out to sea. But life on the island is quiet and hard. The local fishing industry is on the brink of collapse, threatening to take an ages-old way of life with it. The community is hit even harder when a young teen named Anna Tessier goes missing.
With the help of his three friends, Pierce sets out to find Anna, with whom he shared an unusual but special bond. They soon cross paths with Solomon Vickers, a mysterious, hermetic fisherman who may have something to do with the missing girl. Their search brings them into contact with unrelenting bullies, magnificent sea creatures, fierce storms, and glacial giants. But most of all, it brings them closer to the brutal reality of both the natural and the modern world.
Part coming-of-age story, part literary mystery, and part suspense thriller, Closer by Sea is a page-turning, poignant, and powerful novel about family, friendship, and community set at a pivotal time in modern Newfoundland history. It is an homage to a people and a place, and above all it captures that delicate and tender moment when the wonder of childhood innocence gives way to the harsh awakening of adult experience.
Reading Group Guide
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This reading group guide for Closer by Sea includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing the conversations sparked by this book. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.
Introduction
On a small, isolated island off the coast of Newfoundland in the nineties, a local girl goes missing. Twelve-year-old Pierce, who lost his father just one year prior, suspects a stranger to the island is involved in her disappearance. He and his friends are determined to find out more about the mysterious man, who is not what he seems. Part coming-of-age story, part literary mystery, and part suspense thriller, Closer by Sea is a page-turning and poignant novel about family, friendship, and community; about death, grief,and renewal; about the survival of an industry, a people, and a way of life.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. The novel is set on Perigo Island, a small island off the coast of Newfoundland. How does the landscape and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean act not only as a setting and backdrop, but almost as characters in the novel? How does place and environment shape the community and the kids? How does it reflect their history and legacy?
2. Twelve-year-old Pierce is deeply marked by the loss of his father. How has his father shaped his character? What lessons does he recall his father imparting upon him?
3. Pierce has spoken to Anna only three times, but she left an indelible mark on him. Why does Pierce feel so close to Anna?
4. Pierce, Bennie, and Thomas’s friendship is one that is built on adventure, jocular rivalry, and close bonds. How does it strengthen when confronted by Ross and the Arseholes? How does it change with Emily becoming a part of the group?
5. What is the significance of the boat in the backyard? Why is it so important to Pierce to repair it when he is so afraid of the ocean?
6. What does the iceberg symbolize in the novel?
7. What kinds of lessons and values does Pierce’s mother impart on him? How does she play a role in easing him out of childhood and into adulthood?
8. How does the collapse of the cod fish industry affect the community? In addition to the economic threat, does it also threaten other aspects of people’s lives?
9. Pierce, Bennie, Thomas, and Emily are children who are in some ways standing at the threshold of the adulthood. In what ways do we see glimpses of their future selves? In what ways are their talents and strengths employed in the story?
10. Why does Solomon take the time to teach the children about ocean life? How does his message echo Pierce’s father’s talks with his son?
11. In many ways, the novel is a love song to a time, a place, and away of life. What aspects of 1991 Perigo Island appealed to you? What aspects of the cod fishery appeal to you?
12. The novel is also about childhood friendship. How do these formative relationships affect not only one’s childhood, but also carry reverberations into adulthood?
This reading group guide for Closer by Sea includes an introduction,discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing the conversationssparked by this book. The suggested questions are intended to helpyour reading group find new and interesting angles and topics foryour discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich yourconversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.
Introduction
On a small, isolated island off the coast of Newfoundland in thenineties, a local girl goes missing. Twelve-year-old Pierce, who losthis father just one year prior, suspects a stranger to the island isinvolved in her disappearance. He and his friends are determinedto find out more about the mysterious man, who is not what heseems. Part coming-of-age story, part literary mystery, and partsuspense thriller, Closer by Sea is a page-turning and poignantnovel about family, friendship, and community; about death, grief,and renewal; about the survival of an industry, a people, and a wayof life.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. The novel is set on Perigo Island, a small island off the coast ofNewfoundland. How does the landscape and the surroundingAtlantic Ocean act not only as a setting and backdrop, but almost ascharacters in the novel? How does place and environment shapethe community and the kids? How does it reflect their history andlegacy?
2. Twelve-year-old Pierce is deeply marked by the loss of his father.How has his father shaped his character? What lessons does herecall his father imparting upon him?
3. Pierce has spoken to Anna only three times, but she left anindelible mark on him. Why does Pierce feel so close to Anna?
Closer by Sea
Perry Chafe
Reading Group Guide
4. Pierce, Bennie, and Thomas’s friendship is one that is built onadventure, jocular rivalry, and close bonds. How does it strengthenwhen confronted by Ross and the Arseholes? How does it changewith Emily becoming a part of the group?
5. What is the significance of the boat in the backyard? Why is it soimportant to Pierce to repair it when he is so afraid of the ocean?
6. What does the iceberg symbolize in the novel?
7. What kinds of lessons and values does Pierce’s mother impart onhim? How does she play a role in easing him out of childhood andinto adulthood?
8. How does the collapse of the cod fish industry affect thecommunity? In addition to the economic threat, does it alsothreaten other aspects of people’s lives?
9. Pierce, Bennie, Thomas, and Emily are children who are in someways standing at the threshold of the adulthood. In what ways dowe see glimpses of their future selves? In what ways are theirtalents and strengths employed in the story?
10. Why does Solomon take the time to teach the children aboutocean life? How does his message echo Pierce’s father’s talks withhis son?
11. In many ways, the novel is a love song to a time, a place, and away of life. What aspects of 1991 Perigo Island appealed to you?What aspects of the cod fishery appeal to you?
12. The novel is also about childhood friendship. How do theseformative relationships affect not only one’s childhood, but alsocarry reverberations into adulthood?
Introduction
On a small, isolated island off the coast of Newfoundland in the nineties, a local girl goes missing. Twelve-year-old Pierce, who lost his father just one year prior, suspects a stranger to the island is involved in her disappearance. He and his friends are determined to find out more about the mysterious man, who is not what he seems. Part coming-of-age story, part literary mystery, and part suspense thriller, Closer by Sea is a page-turning and poignant novel about family, friendship, and community; about death, grief,and renewal; about the survival of an industry, a people, and a way of life.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. The novel is set on Perigo Island, a small island off the coast of Newfoundland. How does the landscape and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean act not only as a setting and backdrop, but almost as characters in the novel? How does place and environment shape the community and the kids? How does it reflect their history and legacy?
2. Twelve-year-old Pierce is deeply marked by the loss of his father. How has his father shaped his character? What lessons does he recall his father imparting upon him?
3. Pierce has spoken to Anna only three times, but she left an indelible mark on him. Why does Pierce feel so close to Anna?
4. Pierce, Bennie, and Thomas’s friendship is one that is built on adventure, jocular rivalry, and close bonds. How does it strengthen when confronted by Ross and the Arseholes? How does it change with Emily becoming a part of the group?
5. What is the significance of the boat in the backyard? Why is it so important to Pierce to repair it when he is so afraid of the ocean?
6. What does the iceberg symbolize in the novel?
7. What kinds of lessons and values does Pierce’s mother impart on him? How does she play a role in easing him out of childhood and into adulthood?
8. How does the collapse of the cod fish industry affect the community? In addition to the economic threat, does it also threaten other aspects of people’s lives?
9. Pierce, Bennie, Thomas, and Emily are children who are in some ways standing at the threshold of the adulthood. In what ways do we see glimpses of their future selves? In what ways are their talents and strengths employed in the story?
10. Why does Solomon take the time to teach the children about ocean life? How does his message echo Pierce’s father’s talks with his son?
11. In many ways, the novel is a love song to a time, a place, and away of life. What aspects of 1991 Perigo Island appealed to you? What aspects of the cod fishery appeal to you?
12. The novel is also about childhood friendship. How do these formative relationships affect not only one’s childhood, but also carry reverberations into adulthood?
This reading group guide for Closer by Sea includes an introduction,discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing the conversationssparked by this book. The suggested questions are intended to helpyour reading group find new and interesting angles and topics foryour discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich yourconversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.
Introduction
On a small, isolated island off the coast of Newfoundland in thenineties, a local girl goes missing. Twelve-year-old Pierce, who losthis father just one year prior, suspects a stranger to the island isinvolved in her disappearance. He and his friends are determinedto find out more about the mysterious man, who is not what heseems. Part coming-of-age story, part literary mystery, and partsuspense thriller, Closer by Sea is a page-turning and poignantnovel about family, friendship, and community; about death, grief,and renewal; about the survival of an industry, a people, and a wayof life.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. The novel is set on Perigo Island, a small island off the coast ofNewfoundland. How does the landscape and the surroundingAtlantic Ocean act not only as a setting and backdrop, but almost ascharacters in the novel? How does place and environment shapethe community and the kids? How does it reflect their history andlegacy?
2. Twelve-year-old Pierce is deeply marked by the loss of his father.How has his father shaped his character? What lessons does herecall his father imparting upon him?
3. Pierce has spoken to Anna only three times, but she left anindelible mark on him. Why does Pierce feel so close to Anna?
Closer by Sea
Perry Chafe
Reading Group Guide
4. Pierce, Bennie, and Thomas’s friendship is one that is built onadventure, jocular rivalry, and close bonds. How does it strengthenwhen confronted by Ross and the Arseholes? How does it changewith Emily becoming a part of the group?
5. What is the significance of the boat in the backyard? Why is it soimportant to Pierce to repair it when he is so afraid of the ocean?
6. What does the iceberg symbolize in the novel?
7. What kinds of lessons and values does Pierce’s mother impart onhim? How does she play a role in easing him out of childhood andinto adulthood?
8. How does the collapse of the cod fish industry affect thecommunity? In addition to the economic threat, does it alsothreaten other aspects of people’s lives?
9. Pierce, Bennie, Thomas, and Emily are children who are in someways standing at the threshold of the adulthood. In what ways dowe see glimpses of their future selves? In what ways are theirtalents and strengths employed in the story?
10. Why does Solomon take the time to teach the children aboutocean life? How does his message echo Pierce’s father’s talks withhis son?
11. In many ways, the novel is a love song to a time, a place, and away of life. What aspects of 1991 Perigo Island appealed to you?What aspects of the cod fishery appeal to you?
12. The novel is also about childhood friendship. How do theseformative relationships affect not only one’s childhood, but alsocarry reverberations into adulthood?
About The Author
Photograph by Maureen Ennis
Perry Chafe is a Canadian television writer, showrunner, producer, and songwriter. He is a cofounder and partner in Take the Shot Productions. Perry was the cocreator, showrunner, and head writer for the TV series Republic of Doyle, which ran for six seasons on the CBC, and an executive producer and writer for the Netflix/Discovery series Frontier, starring Jason Momoa. In addition, he was an executive producer and writer for Caught, a CBC limited series based on Lisa Moore’s award-winning novel of the same name. He is currently a writer and producer on the hugely successful CBC series Son of a Critch. Born and raised in the small fishing community of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, he now lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Closer by Sea is his debut novel. Connect with him on Twitter @PerryChafe.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster (May 23, 2023)
- Length: 272 pages
- ISBN13: 9781982185268
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Raves and Reviews
“Closer by Sea will have you on the edge of your seat with each page turned. Filled with dialogue that will stay with you long after you’re finished and characters that will stay with you for the rest of your life. An astonishing debut by someone sure to be your new favourite author. He’s mine.”
— MARK CRITCH, comedian and cocreator of the hit TV show Son of a Critch
“[A] deeply emotional exploration of the important ties that bind us to the people and places we love. It’s also a fine coming-of-age story compellingly grounded in adventure, intrigue, best friends, and the struggle to find a way through all the awkwardness of adolescence. . . . Chafe’s novel brims with seafaring charm and the marvelous details of a fishing village on the verge of economic collapse. Closer by Sea is a bittersweet, lovingly told tale that’s sure to win your heart.”
— WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER, New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land and Fox Creek
“Chafe’s teen mystery is salt-stained Newfoundland mixed with West Irish legend and the classic adventure of Goonies and Stand by Me. Equal parts haunting, heartbreaking, and hilarious, the reader is drawn into the tragic 1990s Grand Banks cod decline, foreboding paternal absence, and growing up an uncertain islander amid great social change. Sure to be loved on our shores and beyond.”
— JESSE THISTLE, #1 bestselling author of From the Ashes
“Tiny, isolated fishing towns are postcard cute and perfectly wholesome. Until they are not. . . . In Closer by Sea, my lifelong friend and Petty Harbour native Perry Chafe has seamlessly woven the innocence and underbelly of Perigo Island in a whodunit dance that will keep you guessing till the final page.”
— ALAN DOYLE, lead singer of Great Big Sea and bestselling author of Where I Belong
"Set in an ancient Newfoundland community on the cusp of momentous change, Closer by Sea is an evocative, tender novel with a haunting beauty that lingers long after you finish the last page."
— ELIZA REID, bestselling author of Secrets of the Sprakkar
“[R]ich, multifaceted, and unforgettable. And this novel has all the makings of a beloved, classic bildungsroman, as tender as tender can be.”
— LISA MOORE, award-winning author of This Is How We Love and Caught
“Is this beautifully constructed novel a coming-of-age story, a mystery, or a fictional examination of the catastrophic demise of the Newfoundland cod fishery? It’s a bit of all three, but frankly, it’s just a really fine tale spun by a gifted storyteller. . . . Short and sweet, it is the perfect weekend read.”
— The Globe and Mail
“A memorable coming-of-age tale in the spirit of Ray Bradbury and Stephen King. There is mystery and danger, shadowy figures who are not quite who they seem, and a wistfulness for that strange and beautiful time bridging our younger and older selves—but Perry Chafe's story is uniquely his own, uniquely of his place and of its people. With Closer by Sea, Chafe stakes his place in Newfoundland's writerly pantheon.”
— CRAIG DAVIDSON, author of The Saturday Night Ghost Club and Precious Cargo
“A standout novel and story from a singular, unique voice. Perry Chafe manages to grab our hearts and doesn’t let go until the final page. . . . At first glance Closer by Sea is a thrilling mystery, but as you delve deeper, it’s truly the story of loss, innocence, mourning, and friendship. I cannot recommend this book enough. Bravo!”
— ALLAN HAWCO, award-winning actor, writer, and producer
“Filled with mystery and adventure. . . . Perry Chafe hasn’t forgotten the wonder of Newfoundland; it’s there on every page. I loved reading this book.”
— SEAMUS O'REGAN, member of Parliament
Resources and Downloads
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): Closer by Sea eBook 9781982185268
- Author Photo (jpg): Perry Chafe Photograph by Maureen Ennis(0.1 MB)
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