Beyond the Dark Oceans
by Alison Huntingford
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A family united, a family divided…
In 1906, the Huntingford family leaves England for a hopeful new life in Canada, but for eldest son Georgy, the promise of opportunity quickly becomes a test of endurance, responsibility, and fate. As he comes of age amid the hardships of immigrant life, the outbreak of the First World War pulls him back across the ocean and into a world forever changed by loss and sacrifice.
When Georgy’s brother disappears in the chaos of war, grief and uncertainty fracture the family he is fighting to hold together. Reunited with his cousin Nellie, Georgy finds solace in a love as powerful as it is forbidden—one that offers hope in the darkest of times while threatening to tear his family apart.
Based on true events, Beyond the Dark Oceans is a moving story of love, loyalty, and resilience, exploring how ordinary lives are shaped—and divided—by extraordinary moments in history.
A Family United, A Family Divided:
Exploring Beyond the Dark Oceans
Exploring Beyond the Dark Oceans
The sub-title of my novel is ‘A family united, A family divided’, and Beyond the Dark Oceans is, at its heart, a family saga. The central character is the eldest son, Georgy. At the beginning of the story, he is just eight years old, living in England with his parents and younger brothers, William and Gilbert. He is also very close to his cousins on his mother’s side — Nellie, Billy and Charlie.
In 1906, the family’s life changes dramatically when they move to Canada. Georgy must adjust to a new country, new surroundings, and new friendships. Although he deeply misses the loved ones left behind in England, he does his best to settle and move forward. He is a thoughtful, kind, and patient boy who places great importance on family loyalty. However, he has a tendency to overthink and ask too many questions — something that often irritates his more hot-headed younger brother, William.
“‘You always have to know everything!’ exclaimed William.”
At its core, the novel is a coming-of-age story. We follow Georgy as he grows up — attending school, beginning an apprenticeship, falling in love, and experiencing the milestones of early adulthood. School life is not always kind to him; he is bullied due to lingering English / French tensions.
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| Georgy |
Throughout his life, Georgy displays a quiet courage. Whether defending his brother from their troublesome cousin Ralph, searching through the forest for his missing sibling Arthur, or stepping up to manage the family business when his father is injured, he meets challenges with resilience. When confronted by his mother after a playtime fight with Ralph, Georgy refuses to betray others, showing a quiet but firm sense of integrity.
Often, he acts as the peacemaker, trying to calm disputes and ease tensions within his emotional family. Despite his efforts, he carries a lingering sense of loss for the relatives left behind in England, especially his cousin Nellie.
After leaving school, Georgy struggles with uncertainty about his future. His father arranges for him to join the family plumbing business as an apprentice, and although he agrees reluctantly, he commits himself fully. He works hard, forms friendships with his workmates, and tries to find purpose in his role, even as he quietly questions his path. Ultimately, his sense of duty to his family keeps him there.
First love arrives in the form of a beautiful French-Canadian girl, but traditional French family values and a culture clash mean that it cannot progress further. Georgy learns a valuable but painful lesson.
“That night in bed, he reflected sadly on a love gone missing before it had even started. His mother had been right, he thought. What a fool he had been. He would be more careful with his heart in future.”
When war breaks out, Georgy hesitates. Unlike William, he is not drawn by the promise of adventure or glory. He feels his responsibility lies at home, supporting his family. Yet, in time, he concludes that he must serve and enlists.
Military training brings him back to England, where he reconnects with long-lost relatives. This reunion profoundly affects both his life and his relationship with his family in Canada. Nellie, now grown into a young woman, captures his heart. Despite knowing his mother would disapprove, Georgy follows his feelings for the first time, creating inner conflict and guilt. Their relationship, condemned by the family due to their kinship, must remain secret.
The war leaves its mark. Georgy returns from the Western Front deeply affected — battle-weary and struggling with trauma. Nellie tries to help him heal, but recovery is slow. Meanwhile, the family faces further anguish as William goes missing, and the search for him brings emotional strain to them all.
Amid loss, love, and divided loyalties, Georgy is faced with his greatest challenge yet: finding the strength to stand against expectations and choose his own path.
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Alison Huntingford
Alison Huntingford is a writer with a deep passion for family history and storytelling. With a background rooted in the rich traditions of the Huntingford family, Alison seeks to honour the stories passed down through generations. She is the author of a successful series of works that explore historical and personal narratives. She is an only child of two only children and so has always felt a distinct lack of family. This has inspired her work.
After an upheaval in her personal life, Alison achieved a degree in humanities with literature through the Open University which helped to give her a new start. A teaching career followed which then led naturally to writing. She is now retired from full-time work, but busier than ever.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their pets, listening to music, going to the cinema, and gardening on her allotment. She also runs the South Hams Authors Network, a local writers collective based in South Devon.
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