Choppiness On the High Seas by Arvind Wadhera

Choppiness on the High Seas starts somewhat unassumingly in a small London town in the 1930’s with an impoverished and unwed single mother with a young son. I was drawn to the plucky hardworking housemaid that was Gail Stephens and her faithful son Matthew. Despite being left while pregnant and the social stigma of being a spouseless young mother, Gail resolves that her sons life will be led with education so he may have the chances she never had. 

They form a close knit team that serves as a moral compass for Matthew for the rest of his eventful life. Their early life is one of hardship until Matthew makes the leap from accountant to business owner and his passion for business is only outpaced by one thing. His love for his family. 

This is a much needed book in 2026, balancing logic, family, the trappings of wealth and heart. Wadhera shrewdly observes in novel this that social class, wealth and privilege are not protections from moral corruption, tragedy and loss. It is easy to see the lives of the uber rich and powerful as ones that are cushioned from the harshness of life and something to aspire to. But Wahera’s novel leaves one to wonder, does true wealth come from a bank balance or living a life of love and purpose?  Without a moral compass, does anyone have any fortune at all?

I loved the heart and soul that was in this book and a rare one that made me cry (sometimes we all need that!). The author had fantastic insights into the human condition and would urge everyone I know to read it. 

5/5

Link to book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Choppiness-High-Seas-Arvind-Wadhera/dp/1836281331

I declare I have received this book in return for a review as part of Henry Roi PR but have received no financial compensation. All of my reviews are my own thoughts.