New novel celebrates the history of Northumberland

A new book by local author Ali Rowland draws on some of our region’s fascinating history.

The novel, ‘Who Do you Think I Am?’ follows a modern heroine tracing her family tree. It includes storylines about women in coastal fishing communities and the establishment of the first hydrotherapy establishment in Northumberland. 

‘If you’ve ever looked into your own ancestry, or enjoy the TV series that has a similar title to the book, you’re probably going to enjoy this book,’ Ali says. 

One of the characters is inspired by ‘The Women,’ John Charlton’s painting of the Cullercoats lifeboat, Percy, being pulled out to rescue the Lovely Nellie which was stricken off Whitley Sands on New Year’s Day 1861. The picture shows the dangerous conditions in which women were required to pull the boats out to sea in the middle of a storm. There were some fatal accidents and in the book, a character finds herself washed up further down the coast.

‘History can be focused on the deeds of the rich and powerful and sometimes sidelines the everyday heroism of ordinary people,’ Ali says, ‘so it was great to be able to imagine some extraordinary lives that originated in the day-to-day experience of working people. Coincidentally, women’s work on the lifeboats has just been highlighted in a mural at Newbiggin.’

Another strand of the story draws inspiration from the Victorian fashion for hydrotherapy. The Tynedale Hydropathic Hotel, known locally as ‘the Hexham Hydro’ was the inspiration for part of the novel that links the Victorian fashions for hydrotherapy and sea bathing. ‘We tend to think of wild swimming as a modern day phenomenon but it goes back much further than that,’ Ali said.

Eagle-eyed readers will enjoy playing place name bingo with portraits of Amble, Howick, Craster, Cullercoats and Coquet Island featuring in the book.

‘Some of my research involved looking at documents in the Northumberland archives. It was fascinating to read contemporary accounts, and I’ve used fictional letters, diaries and newspaper reports to help tell the stories.’

‘The book is the first in a series, and I hope will appeal to all those with a love of Northumberland. It’s great to have it available in our newest independent bookshop, Bridge Street Books in Amble, too.’