A timeless classic, By The Sea, is a tale of hope, resilience and human dignity in the midst of greed, betrayal and deprivation. When mechanized launches take over the shores of Manalpattur, a small fishing village, the impoverished country boat owners are pushed to the brink of existence. As the life of Cruz Michael and his family begins to unravel, we witness not just the struggle between tradition and change but also the many nuances and subtleties of human behaviour and relationships. Full of memorable characters, the novel’s singular achievement is Philomi, who gets back on her feet every time life knocks her down, braced by her dogged faith that though much is lost much remains.