Robert Goddard: Sea Change

Bantam Press

$34.95

Review: Zela Charltonrd

Robert Goddard's latest novel Sea Change is familiar in style and in the enjoyment of following a well-woven trail to a satisfactory conclusion.

The notes at the back of the book indicate the depth of research behind this novel, which deals with social history as well as the political events behind the bursting of the South Seas Bubble, the world's first great stockmarket crash, in 1720.

That speculative rush ruined almost an entire generation of 18th-century Britons - people then were as greedy and gullible as today.

The machinations of the corrupt politicians and businessmen as they try to avoid exposure of their fraudulent dealings provides a fascinating background to the unravelling of the twists and turns in the life of the main protagonist, map-maker William Spandrel, as he gets caught up in the conspiracies.

The fast-moving plot follows him across Europe, with murder, mayhem and fights a-plenty, as well as just enough romantic interest in the shape of the fair if enigmatic Estelle de Vries.

While the main character does not ring as true as Goddard's men usually do, the pace of the writing and the details of 18th-century life carry the story along, and are enticing enough to lead one reader to at least consider a bit more research into the subject of fraud and stockmarket dealing.

* Zela Charlton is a Whangarei artist and writer.