Breakwater

A novel about a marriage torn apart by a violent secret for fans of Lauren Groff's Fates and Furies

"Excellent novel. Packed with emotional truth and elegantly turned narrative. A fine translation too."―Ian McEwan, author of international bestseller Atonement 

Emilia has it all: a rewarding career as a statistician, a wonderful husband, two healthy young sons, and a house in the countryside. But when a brief moment of panic triggers the memory of a traumatic experience from twelve years before, Emilia finds herself floating away from her average existence. The secret she’s kept for so long refuses to stay hidden, and as Emilia’s grip on reality loosens, heavy rains begin to fall and the river threatens to overflow the house. In this critically acclaimed novel, Schermer explores the impact of sexual violence, and whether or not it’s possible to truly know another person. Breakwater is a haunting examination of memory and trauma, written in prose stunning in its frankness and precision.