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Sea Bean cover art

Sea Bean

By: Sally Huband
Narrated by: Sally Huband
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

A powerful journey of sea and self, trial and hope on the islands of Shetland.

When a seed falls from a vine in the tropics and is carried by ocean currents across the Atlantic to the shores of Western Europe - it is known as a sea bean. It is still considered lucky to find a sea bean on the shore, they have been used as magical charms for more than a thousand years.

Sally's search for a sea bean begins not long after she moves to the windswept archipelago of Shetland. When pregnancy triggers a chronic illness and forces her to slow down, Sally takes to the beaches. There she discovers treasure freighted with story and curiosities that connect her to the world.

The wild shores of Shetland offer glimpses of orcas swimming through the ocean at dusk, the chance to release a tiny storm petrel into the dark of the night and a path of hope. This beachcombing path takes her from the Faroese archipelago to the Orkney islands, and the Dutch island of Texel. It opens a world of ancient myths, fragile ecology, and deep human history. It brings her to herself again.

Sea Bean is a message in a bottle. An interconnection of our oceans, communities and ourselves, and an invitation to feel belonging when we are adrift.

©2023 Sally Huband (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Sea Bean is a coastal treasure. Its hard-won attentiveness shows the wonder and vulnerability of our interconnected oceans, wildlife and people. In Sally's writing, beachcombing - an old island pursuit - is modern, revealing and restorative. The next time I am at the shore I will have a deeper appreciation and curiosity." (Amy Liptrot)

"Like its talismanic title, Huband's voice is distinct and singular. A gorgeous reckoning with the sea, islands and mythology." (Sinéad Gleeson)

"A wild melding of body and landscape. A deep, immersive, storm-tossed read." (Helen Jukes)

What listeners say about Sea Bean

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A beachcomber’s memoir

This book, set in the Shetland Islands blends many strands: natural history, cultural history, personal memoir, meditations on disability and a sense of place and a call to activism. At its best it is very good indeed but it is a little uneven.

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Beautiful captivating and inspiring

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read/listened too. it is inspiring and evokes some beautiful memories for me while transporting me on a journey of knowledge. I am in awe of the way this is written. If you live nature and want to be enthralled by a book definitely give this a read.

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a journey of drift seeds and a journey of self

Sally’s book takes us into Shetland, on a boat, in a gale, to a new beginning. Sea Bean skips us over Shetland beaches - picking through the pebbles, seeking any prize from the sea but in particular the elusive Sea bean! and through Sally’s deep dive into the customs and lore of drift seeds, selkies, flotsam & jetsam of Shetland (and beyond) she also unfolds the story of her body’s challenges with chronic conditions.
Anyone who has enjoyed Nature based memoir, such as Amy Liptrot, Amanda Thomson, Raynor Winn, Kathleen Jamie, will enjoy Sally’s quest for the Sea Bean. My hard copy will be shelved next to Clarence Ellis’ Pebbles on the Beach and i know i will dip into Sea Bean as much as PotB!

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Stunning

Beautifully written and powerfully told story of weathering landscape and chronic illness. Contextually set in global narratives of climate crisis, ableism, and structural sexism and racism across time. Lyrically told through walking the beach and combing for treasures, a sharing of the stories found in the objects collected. Gift upon gift.

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