By Graham Swift
Waterland is a tale of the Fens and its power over those who live there. It is told by Tom, a history teacher, who has just been informed that he is being retired. This was not unexpected. Tom’s wife has been institutionalised for stealing a baby.
So Tom tells his pupils his personal history. Tom is from a family of brewers who have good and bad times, the occasional haunting and a high incidence of madness. He blames the flat lands. How can its inhabitants feel highs and lows unless they indulge in drink, violence and sex?
The key questions
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