Beatriz Williams has this weirdly specific talent for making you feel homesick for a time you never actually lived through. It's a gift. Honestly, most historical fiction writers get bogged down in the "thee" and "thou" of it all or spend way too much time describing the specific lace on a Victorian corset. Williams doesn't do that. In Along the Infinite Sea, she basically takes the glitz of the 1960s and smashes it headlong into the terrifying, shadow-drenched reality of 1930s Europe. It works. It works better than it has any right to.
The book is technically the third installment in the Schuyler Sisters trilogy. You’ve got The Secret Life of Violet Grant and Tiny Little Thing preceding it. But here’s the thing: you don’t actually have to read those first. Pepper Schuyler is the star here, and she’s arguably the most interesting of the bunch because she’s such a mess. A relatable, high-society, 1960s mess.
The Car That Starts It All
Everything in this story revolves around a car. Not just any car, but a 1930s Talbot Lago. If you aren't a "car person," just imagine the sleekest, most expensive-looking piece of machinery you’ve ever seen. It’s a work of art. Pepper Schuyler finds this rare beast in a shed, restores it, and tries to sell it to keep her head above water. She’s pregnant, she’s broke, and she’s running away from a very powerful, very married man.
Then enters Annabelle Dommerich.
Annabelle is the original owner of the car, and her story—the 1930s timeline—is where the book really finds its teeth. We aren't just talking about a romance. We are talking about the rise of the Nazi party in Germany and the impossible choices people had to make. Williams doesn't shy away from the ugliness. She highlights the visceral fear of that era through Annabelle’s relationship with Stefan, a Jewish man she loves, and her marriage to Johann, a high-ranking Nazi officer.
Why the Dual Timeline Actually Works Here
Most authors fail at the dual timeline. Usually, you’re reading one era and frantically flipping pages to get back to the "better" one. In Along the Infinite Sea, the balance is surprisingly steady. Pepper in 1966 is sharp, cynical, and desperate. Annabelle in the 1930s is naive but forced to grow a spine of steel.
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The connection between them isn't just the car. It’s the shared experience of being a woman pushed to the edge of society. Pepper is dealing with the fallout of an affair in an era that still judged "unwed mothers" harshly, despite the looming Summer of Love. Annabelle is dealing with literal life and death.
The Real History Behind the Fiction
Williams clearly did her homework on the Talbot Lago. These cars were legendary. Specifically, the T150C SS "Goutte d’Eau" (Teardrop) is one of the most coveted vehicles in existence. In real life, these cars sell for millions at auctions like RM Sotheby’s. By anchoring the plot to a physical object with such a heavy real-world pedigree, the stakes feel higher.
Then there’s the depiction of pre-war Europe. Williams captures the "Golden Twilight." It’s that eerie period where the wealthy were still sipping champagne in Cannes while the borders of Europe were being redrawn in blood. It’s uncomfortable to read sometimes. It should be.
Pepper Schuyler is the Heroine We Need
Pepper isn't always likable. She’s prickly. She makes bad decisions. She’s stubborn to a fault. But that’s why she feels human. When she meets Annabelle—now an older woman—the dynamic shifts from a business transaction to a sort of mentorship. Annabelle sees the same fire in Pepper that she had to use to survive the 1930s.
The romance in the 1960s timeline feels a bit more "modern" and breezy, providing a much-needed lungful of air when the 1930s scenes get too suffocating. It’s a masterclass in pacing. You get the tension of a political thriller mixed with the emotional weight of a family saga.
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Breaking Down the Complexity
It is easy to dismiss this as "beach read" material because of the pretty covers. Don’t do that. The narrative structure is actually quite complex. Williams uses a first-person perspective for Pepper and a third-person perspective for Annabelle. This creates a psychological distance that makes sense—we are in Pepper's head, but we are watching Annabelle's history unfold like a movie.
There’s a specific scene involving a flight across the Atlantic that is genuinely nail-biting. It’s not just about the physics of the flight; it’s about the crushing weight of what they are leaving behind.
The Truth About the "Infinite Sea"
The title itself refers to that feeling of standing on the edge of a life-changing decision. Both women are facing an "infinite sea" of possibilities, most of them terrifying.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Williams' work is that it's just fluff. If you actually look at the themes in Along the Infinite Sea, you’ll find deep explorations of:
- The ethics of survival versus the ethics of morality.
- The long-term trauma of political displacement.
- How class privilege can both protect and imprison you.
- The messy reality of motherhood under duress.
How to Get the Most Out of This Read
If you’re going to dive into this, do yourself a favor and look up photos of the Talbot Lago T150C first. Having that visual in your head changes how you perceive the "car scenes." It stops being a "prop" and starts being a character.
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Also, pay attention to the minor characters. Williams is great at "world-building" through side dialogue. The way people talk about the "Commies" in the 60s mirrors the way they talk about the "Socialists" in the 30s. The parallels are deliberate and a bit chilling.
Actionable Takeaways for Historical Fiction Fans
If you want to read more like this, or if you've already finished and need a "hangover" cure:
- Check out the rest of the Schuyler sisters. Start with The Secret Life of Violet Grant. It sets the tone for the family’s rebellious streak.
- Look into the real "Monuments Men" style history. The way art and luxury goods were moved across borders during WWII is a rabbit hole worth falling down.
- Read Kate Morton. If the dual-timeline mystery is what hooked you, Morton is the only one who does it as well as Williams.
- Listen to the audiobook. The narrators for Williams' books usually do a fantastic job with the various accents (German, posh American, etc.), which adds another layer to the 1930s scenes.
Along the Infinite Sea stands as a reminder that history isn't just dates and treaties. It’s people in expensive cars running for their lives. It’s women trying to find a place to exist when the world tells them they don't fit. It's a heavy book wrapped in a beautiful package.
To really appreciate the ending, you have to accept that not everything gets tied up with a perfect bow. Life in 1966 was messy. Life in 1939 was messier. The book honors that reality. If you want a story that stays with you long after you close the back cover, this is the one to grab. Just make sure you have some tissues handy for the final chapters involving Annabelle's ultimate sacrifice. It’s a gut-punch, but the kind that makes the story feel real.
Search for a copy at your local independent bookstore or check the "Historical Fiction" section of your library. Most people skip the third book in a series—don't be most people. This is the strongest entry in the trilogy.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Locate a copy of Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams (Penguin Books).
- Research the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150C SS to visualize the centerpiece of the novel.
- Explore the historical context of the 1930s French Riviera as a refuge for expatriates.