Time and Tide (novel)

Time and Tide is a novel by Edna O'Brien, published in 1992. The story revolves around the complex and often fraught relationship between Nell, an Irish woman living in London, and her difficult, emotionally demanding mother, Bride.

The narrative explores themes of motherhood, daughterhood, female identity, the enduring power of the past, and the immigrant experience. Nell's life is juxtaposed with that of her mother, revealing generational differences and the enduring impact of Bride's experiences on Nell's own sense of self.

The novel is characterized by O'Brien's lyrical prose style and her exploration of the inner lives of her female characters. It delves into the intricacies of family dynamics and the challenges faced by women navigating societal expectations and personal desires. The tide imagery often serves as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of relationships and the ebb and flow of emotions within a family. The novel is set against the backdrop of London's changing social landscape, further highlighting the characters' sense of displacement and longing for connection.