Troubled Waters

"Troubled Waters" by Bertrand W. Sinclair is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the complex emotional struggles faced by Joe Galloway, a man who has fled from his past life following the dissolution of his marriage. With themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, the narrative explores personal rebirth amidst the desolation of working as a logger in a rugged coastal setting. The plot unfolds as Joe, now living under an assumed name, encounters an old friend, Steve, who gradually uncovers Joe's troubled past. Joe’s despondency stems from a broken marriage with Norma, who has left him for another man. Throughout the novel, Joe forms a bond with Ed Broderick, a man who is also marked by a sense of loss and a longing for the past. The climax reveals that Norma still harbors feelings for Joe, prompting a confrontation of unresolved emotions and regret. The resolution comes with her unexpected arrival, leading to a poignant moment of reckoning and the hope for reconciliation, beautifully captured against the backdrop of the tempestuous sea, symbolizing turbulent emotions and life’s unpredictability. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Bertrand William Sinclair (1881–1972) was a Canadian novelist known for a series of westerns set in the United States, and also for a series of novels set in his home province of British Columbia.