The intricate cover of She Rises is what initially caught my eye. Added to that my own personal interest in sea stories, historical or modern; I just couldn't leave this one behind. Following two distinct story lines of Louise and Luke Fletcher, the reader is swept up into the dingy lives of 19th century sailors, maids, and the rising middle class.
From a historical viewpoint, I was most interested in the story of Luke and his time as a pressed sailor. Having read all of the Horatio Hornblower stories and James Nelson series, I was hoping for more information about the ship itself, but this was definitely more of an exploration of humanity, and not really about sailors. The sailors here serve as a vehicle for the exploration of a young boy alone in the world, stolen from his home, and his lost love. At the same time, the story of Louise is not about her job as a lady's maid, but about her blossoming sexuality and search for her long lost brother.
At times I felt like this story moved so slowly. There were so many hints about Louise's search for her brother throughout the story that it was exhausting waiting for her to finally figure out his fate. None of the characters were people that you really want to get to like, and very few that you actually do. The author has created her characters with many flaws. Its these flaws that become their distinguishing aspects. It was almost like reading a book filled with caricatures; everyone was magnified but slightly revolting.
The ultimate balance in the story is between women and the sea. Louise's father and brother Luke were obsessed by the sea and lost within it. Louise is enchanted by the Captain of a packet boat who hires her to be his daughter's maid, Louise's sister is caught up in squalidness of Harwich's harbor and Luke is pressed in Naval service for the latest war. Luke and Louise struggle throughout the story to return to those they love, but the sea keeps getting in the way.
This is a similar story to Tipping the Velvet. I won't say more than that because it would ruin the story, but I will say if you are in any way uncomfortable with reading about same sex relationships then I would steer clear of this book. Tipping the Velvet was a much better story, in style and in plot, but She Rises is an interesting exploration of humanity and sexuality set in 19th century England. I would probably not recommend this book because I felt the story was lacking attachment to the characters and because the ending is abrupt and goes against everything that happened in the story.
