Summary

“Sea Story” by A. S. Byatt tells the story of Harold. He is born in a fishing town called Filey in Yorkshire, England, to a father who is an oceanographer and a mother who is a teacher and a poet. Harold grows up with the sea in his heart but decides to pursue literary studies at Oxford University. There, he realises what it might be like to grow up away from the sea, and feels more connected to his coastal hometown. Back in Filey, he meets Laura, a marine biology graduate who is on holiday with her friends. Harold falls in love with her at first sight and tries to become part of her friendship group, but he never acts directly on his feelings. Very soon Laura informs him that she has been offered a job studying eels in the Caribbean. Harold asks for ...