Book Review : Ocean Theme Edition: At Sea by Emma Fedor 2.5/5 Stars

Although it might seem I'd abandoned my water theme, it is indeed alive and well.  I admit, I've been of course, pivoting to some paranormal and space based reading but, I've still got several watery books on the list. 

This week I finished At Sea, by Emma Fedor.  

   I have a lot of mixed feelings after the conclusion.  A lot of mixed feelings. So Many - most of them, less positive.  The book did get a flurry of positive blurbs, so... maybe, it's me. 

     No spoilers here  but in summary, Cara ( very dull, flat character)  meets a man who sweeps her off her feet, she eventually becomes pregnant and is looking forward to a life where she's able to pursue her interests, raise a child and spend time with a man who- though complicated- she loves. This is all shattered when the man and child disappear, only to return several years later.  The synopsis just promises, drama and excitement.  The story... gave less. 

This book has everything I usually love!

- Secret super powers!

- an ongoing romantic connection

- the ocean

- fantastical occurrences. 

-dual timeline

What I got was a story that could have been magical realism, (Is the man a Whale hybrid, a super secret military weapon?)  or could have been the story of a domestic nightmare - a mentally ill father endangering his child and others. 

I feel like there was a real failure to commit. The author creates a Magical realism situation which sort of transcends into a Mental Health discussion  but never is either one fully engaged with....

--   If the book was supposed to be about family and relationships with persons with mental health issues- leaving the question about Brendan's "super powers" with no solid answer makes it hard to know., thus making it hard to engage with the work because if it is magical realism I have a certain reaction, if it's discussion on serious mental illness, than it clearly is another.  Either is valid, but leaving it sort of out there for the reader to decide, gives the author a means to shrug off any criticism, if someone doesn't think the magic was that magic- well, it was meant to represent mental health there.  If the mental health representation is not appreciated- well, that was magical realism. BUT, in actuality, the failure to commit, leaves this reader, just thinking well.. ok. that's nice. 

---Leaving her 5 yr old child to dive among the waves - with no conclusion to the activity that most clearly terrified Cara is again, a failure to commit. Did this child breathe under water? Did he drown? Did he just come back smiling?  Again we won't know. It seems sort of a peaceful conclusion and I'm free to decide if the boy disappears, drowns or comes on back, but frankly... with the flatness of all the characters- I kind of didn't care that much. I didn't go looking for a book two. 

       I think this book would make a nice beach read or "airport book" (one you read in the airport and leave behind.)  It didn't inspire me to think deeper about the way our world works, mental health, or even whales. For me it was entirely average and I can think of so many books that better address mental health issues or create more believable magic. 

 Now, there wasn't anything particularly... offensive about the book, so I think I'm going with 2.5/5 stars- it's average. Personally I'd give it a miss and go for something with more meat. 

For Magical Realism in the Ocean, I'd recommend Sylvie Cathrall's  A Letter to the Luminous deep 

Or if looking for a scandalous, family drama, Jacquelyn Mitchard's A Very Inconvenient Scandal  also features Cape Cod and some serious (though different) family situations. 

 

Have you read this book?  Did I somehow miss something entirely? Thoughts? Feel free to share this post and  let me know in the comments! 

STATS

First Published 2023

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  death of parent flashback, mental illness, violence, family turmoil  

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)