No Signposts in the Sea – Vita Sackville West (1961)

Published in the year before her death No Signposts in the Sea is perhaps Vita Sackville West’s most haunting novel. Written at a time when Vita was suffering from the (still undiagnosed) cancer that would end her life, it was also her last. Vita and her husband; Harold Nicolson and their friend Edie Lamont – to whom the novel is dedicated, set sail on a cruise of the West Indies and South America in 1959. Vita and Harold had enjoyed cruise life before, yet on this last, sad voyage Vita began writing No Signposts… a novel about dying, unrequited love and how life should be grabbed at with both hands. The novel feels beautifully intimate, bound up as it is life, love, death and travel. The novel is also shot through with extracts of poetry, reflecting the thoughts of the central characters Edmund and Laura. There is a delicate, elegiac quality to the narrative – which I really enjoyed. TLDR: a beautiful novel that heavily touches on grief and love. Questions?? Don’t be shy to leave a comment!! *Notice ! Our items are cross posted so, don’t hesitate to make an offer because this could be gone soon! *All items are shipped in 1 - 2 days! (Late Friday to Sunday orders will be shipped ASAP on Mondays!) Enjoy your time shopping! 🎀 - A.