Review: Blue Water
Title: Blue Water
Author: A. Manette Ansay
Published: April 11, 2006
# of Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-0688172879
Rating: 5/5
On an ordinary morning in Fox Harbor, Wisconsin, Meg and Rex Van Dorn’s lives are irrevocably changed when a drunk driver slams into Meg’s car, killing the couple’s six-year-old son, Evan. In a town in which everyone knows everybody else, it’s no surprise that Meg and the driver, Cindy Ann Kreisler, were once the best of friends. Now, as Meg recovers from her own injuries, she and Rex find themselves unable to cope with their anger and despair, especially after Cindy Ann returns — with a mere slap on the wrist — to the life she lived before the accident: living in a beautiful house, enjoying her own three daughters, all of whom walked away from the accident unharmed.
In their rage and grief, Meg and Rex buy a boat to sail around the world, hoping to put as much distance between themselves and Cindy Ann Kreisler as possible. Adrift in the company of other live-board cruisers, Meg tries to believe that she and Rex have left their bitterness behind. But when she returns to Fox Harbor for her older brother’s wedding, she is forced to face the complex ties that bind her to the woman who has wounded her so badly. For, as Meg knows better than anyone, Cindy Ann has secrets and sorrows of her own, dating back to the summer of their friendship.
Impassioned, insightful, and beautifully written, Blue Water is the story of people learning to face the unthinkable — a compelling affirmation of the human potential for forgiveness, redemption, and grace.
Blue Water is a quiet novel, mostly a character-driven novel, but for me, it made a huge impact. The characters are drawn perfectly – they are highly imperfect people, every single one of them, with plenty of flaws, but through the novel you really got to know them inside and out. The book moves along slowly, and the interesting thing about it is that what you expect to be the pivotal, confrontational, HUGE moment, kind of isn’t. It just happens, but it feels so natural – like how events would occur in real life… everyone continues to exist, and lives change, and people get up, go to work, etc., even though what you were waiting for throughout the entire book actually happened. It’s hard to explain, because I hate giving away plot spoilers, but trust me, it’s fantastic the way Ansay wrote that part of the story.
I loved Blue Water. Loved it. And I can’t say why, exactly, because it’s hard for me to understand it myself. But when I put the book down, after I turned its final page, I was just overcome with emotion. Not necessarily overly happy or overly sad – I just FELT for these characters. These are my favorite kinds of books – the ones that leave you thinking, leave you feeling, long after you finish them. If you enjoy character-driven novels with enormous plot lines in the background, Blue Water is not to be missed.
Wow! I love books that leave me feeling emotional. I love the cover on this one too.
this book sounds like it really struck a chord. i love when authors can get me fully invested in their characters. i think it really speaks to their talent as writers to be able to do such a thing.
Nat – I so agree. Actually, the first book I read by Ansay was Vinegar Hill, also a book that allowed me to get very invested in the characters. She’s a very talented writer, that way.
Sounds fantastic. Character driven novels where I actually care about the characters are the best.
Agreed!
This sounds like a good character book. Those are usually my favorite. Although, having two little ones myself, I have trouble reading books about children getting hurt or dying. Maybe when my kids are older I’ll be able to handle it better.
It’s hard, reading about that. Although in this book that aspect is more like the background – it’s always there, sort of what holds the book together, but the story is more about how the characters deal with what happened rather than the event itself.
Hey – Nicole is back! This looks like a must-read for me. Seriously, I love the cover, I dream of sailing around the world, and I love your review. Thank you.
I know, I’m so glad to see her back around! I’m glad you enjoyed the review – definitely read the book.
This sounds like an amazing read. It does sound like a difficult topic but a great
read!
This one sounds like a winner – I’m adding it to the pile!
Thanks for the great review!
I really liked Vinegar Hill. Sounds like this is one that I should look into as well.
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