Navigating the Tides of Humanity: A Review of Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix
When I first opened Small Boat, I was drawn in by the novel’s haunting prologue: “I didn’t ask you to leave, I said.” With these words, Vincent Delecroix invites readers into a stormy sea of moral quandaries, reflections, and raw human emotions. This gripping and powerful narrative transcends mere fiction, rooting itself in a tragic real-life incident that reverberates with urgency in today’s world.
Small Boat is not just a narrative about the harrowing journey of migrants but also a deep exploration of complicity and ethical responsibility. Set against the backdrop of the tragic sinking of an inflatable dinghy in the English Channel, the story unfolds through the voice of a young woman working at a monitoring center. As she communicates with dying refugees, her cold detachment raises unsettling questions about our collective humanity. The writing is sharp and circular, echoing the narrator’s internal conflicts as she dodges the policewoman’s inquiries, ultimately posing a mirror to the reader’s conscience.
Delecroix’s prose is chilling yet beautifully crafted; it effectively harnesses the weight of despair while maintaining a philosophical lens. The methodical pacing mirrors the tension and desperate waiting that permeates the narrative. I often found myself reflecting on the epigraph from Lucretius: “Pleasant it is, when over a great sea the winds trouble the waters, to gaze from shore upon another’s great tribulation…” This line encapsulates a fragility of human attitudes that Small Boat scrutinizes, prompting me to question not just the actions of the characters, but the systems that allow such tragedies to occur.
Notably, the emotional weight of the characters was communicated so effectively that it often felt visceral. The narrator’s refusal to provide the sympathy the audience expects creates tension that grips you from the start, forcing you to confront your own biases and questions of moral responsibility. One passage, where the narrator grapples with her role and refuses to succumb to guilt, resonated deeply with me: “Who is banishing them… sweeping them towards the sea…” This line speaks volumes about the larger societal failures that lead to such heartbreaking situations and left me pondering long after I had closed the book.
I have no doubt that Small Boat, shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker Prize, will resonate with readers who appreciate literature that challenges the status quo and evokes deep empathy. This is a book for those who yearn for more than escapism—who seek understanding, provocation, and a reckoning with our shared humanity.
As I reflect on my reading experience, I am struck by how Small Boat not only tells a story but burdens the reader with introspection. While it may prove a heavy read, I believe it is essential in its call for awareness and compassion, making it a poignant choice for our turbulent times. If you’re ready to embark on a journey through the depths of human suffering and resilience, this powerful novel may just be the companion you need.