How Do You See the World?

We all approach the world with different perspectives; some see the world optimistically through rose coloured glasses and others unfavorably with a glass half empty mindset. At Sea in a Sieve by Cordelia Strube presents another interesting viewpoint. Here we step into the shoes of Ray, a single mother and courtroom judge, who sees everything in an informed, rational way. Her approach to life is to weigh all sides and calmly come to resolutions, for the people in her courtroom and in her personal life. Ultimately, however, this mindset is challenged by an unpredictable toddler that is her 3-year-old daughter, Armada, as well as her stunted adult brother, Forest, who suffers from addiction. At Sea in a Sieve explores how Ray tackles the unpredictable and irrational people in her life in the hope of avoiding chaos.

Strube’s prose is plentiful in specifics but pared down in style; and much is revealed through the dialogue of the characters. She writes with incredible detail describing Ray’s thought process, referencing the philosophers and great thinkers who help Ray make her decisions. It is fascinating to move through life in Ray’s studious presence. The side characters, Ray’s neighbours and colleagues, are all wonderfully flushed out and I never minded moving from her storyline to theirs. Set in Toronto, the local references make the story even more believable and lived in. Longlisted for the 2026 Giller Prize, this book is already receiving literary buzz. If you’re a fan of dramatic family tales, this one might be for you!