By Samantha Cook

I’m always a bit of a sucker when it comes to love stories, particularly when the background to the main plot is so realistically sad (sparkly vampire stories, therefore, need not apply). In this case, the three characters at the heart of The Cove all find themselves in untenable circumstances that provide the plot with an incredibly human element.

Laurel Shelton lives with her brother Hank in a cabin built in the gloomy shadow of a deep cove, ostracised from the community through no fault of her own. As her only brother, her sole connection to society (with the exception of a helpful hermit-like neighbour) prepares to marry; Laurel must come to terms with the changes that will significantly influence their sibling relationship and the natural tensions that the presence of a sister-in-law will induce. Faced with the prospect of even more isolation, saving grace comes in the form of an injured stranger who she feels an instant connection with. But as much as Laurel feels isolated from the general community, she cannot escape the shifts and friction within it and her new happiness is soon threatened by the very society that she longs to be accepted into.

With an excellent conception of human nature and a natural gift for interweaving fictional drama with real historic tension, it is no surprise that Rash was the recipient of the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award in 2010 for his lauded collection of short stories, titled Burning Bright. However, having read his latest offering, I cannot help but wonder if his true forte lies in poetry and not necessarily dramatic fiction.

With large descriptive chunks overwhelming the relatively minor amount of dialogue, readers of The Cove would be forgiven for battling to consistently follow the plot line. While the writing is unmistakably beautiful, it also feels laboured and overworked, and I found myself wishing that Rash had just kept the writing simple so that I could focus on the sweet but ultimately heart-wrenching story. Literary purists may adore this novel, but unfortunately it’s not a book that I would reach for to enjoy with a cup of coffee and a rusk.

The Cove by Ron Rush is published by Canongate Books.