Alan Gould is a poet, essayist and novelist. In 2001 he was co-winner with Peter Carey of the Courier-Mail Book of the Year Award for his novel The Schoonermaster’s Dance. He was also awarded ACT Book of the Year for this work.Sarah Tilber has a passion for history. She embarks on a journey across the world, determined to uncover her family tree. Through letters, interviews and research, she compiles a picture of her great uncle and a tragedy. Sarah becomes so involved she loses ties with family and drifts away on the sea of the past.