2025 Booker Longlist: Seascraper by Benjamin Wood

Seacraper is next for our panel as we move into the home stretch. So what did our panel think of the book?

Benjamin Wood is a British novelist known for weaving together sharp psychological insight with rich, atmospheric storytelling. He’s the author of acclaimed books like The Bellwether Revivals, The Ecliptic, and A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better—novels that often blur the lines between art, obsession, and memory. His writing has been highly acclaimed and prior works have made the prize lists for multiple literary awards. Alongside writing, he teaches creative writing at King’s College.

Book Synopsis from Booker website: Thomas lives a slow, deliberate life with his mother in Longferry, working his grandpa’s trade as a shanker. He rises early to take his horse and cart to the grey, gloomy beach and scrape for shrimp, spending the afternoon selling his wares, trying to wash away the salt and scum, pining for Joan Wyath down the street, and rehearsing songs on his guitar. At heart, he is a folk musician, but it remains a private dream.  
  
When a striking visitor turns up, bringing the promise of Hollywood glamour, Thomas is shaken from the drudgery of his days and begins to see a different future. But how much of what the American claims is true, and how far can his inspiration carry Thomas?  
  
Haunting and timeless, this is the story of a young man hemmed in by his circumstances, striving to achieve fulfilment far beyond the world he knows.

Nicole’s Thoughts: 

Finally a 5-star Booker read this year. I loved this. The characters were interesting, the atmosphere was defined and intense, the writing was good and the story was interesting. Plus, it was a super fast read with an unexpected surprise.

Writing quality: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development:4/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Total: 19/20

Anita’s Thoughts: I will be floored if this book isn’t shortlisted. Mostly because the lyrical language is just perfection. For a short novel, almost a novella, it packs some heavy themes. It’s mostly about how one young man’s yearning for a more meaningful life is at odds with his blue-collar day to day existence. The protagonist, Thomas, is someone the reader can cheer for. The first half is a slow build which makes the second half seem propulsive. My only qualm is it felt slightly “made for tv” movie-esque, and I had some trouble shaking that perception.

Writing quality: 5/5
Originality: 3/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development: 4/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Total: 18/20

Tracy’s Thoughts: There’s a lot packed into this little book. It’s a story of youth, love and hope in a bleak and dangerous place. It’s also about how times change and people adapt or don’t, how they fit in. I think this will be shortlisted.

Writing quality: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development: 3/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Total: 18/20

Jen’s Thoughts: A beautiful little book. There’s a reason why Wood is so highly acclaimed for his ability to create atmosphere. Seascraper is a novel that wholly transports you to a specific time and place. There is haunting quality to the environment and story. I really appreciated the way that Wood created tension between the daily lifestyle and requirements that bound Thomas to his life and his dreams and aspirations. The prose is lyrical, quiet and restrained, while also full of meaning. Overall I took points of for plot development since this book is more meditative than it is a fast-driven plot — although I did enjoy that about the book. A 5-star read for me.

Writing quality: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Character development: 4/4
Plot development: 2/4
Overall enjoyment: 2/2
Total: 18/20

Rankings
1. Endling: 18.8
2. Seascraper: 18.25
3. Audition: 17.88
4. Universality: 14.5
5. Flesh: 14.4
6. The South: 14.25
7. Flashlight: 14.2
8. One Boat: 13
9. Misinterpretation: 11.75
10. Love forms: 10.5

Have you read it?  What do you think? Want to try it for yourself? You can purchase your copy here: Seascraper. Fellow bloggers/reviewers, feel free to post links to your reviews in the comments.