The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewers were really varied on this book, from 1 star hated it to 5 stars. Most all like the first part of the book, but then were disappointed with the character development choices at the end. For me, I was interested all the way through. I didn't want to give this 3 stars, I thought that was too low, but a 4 seems a little high. So know that this book fell between those choices for me.

Carrie's boyfriend, Mike, dives off Clausen's Pier and becomes paralyzed. Carrie was conflicted about their relationship before the dive,and now she is placed in the unenviable position of being a "lifeline" for Mike. The choices she now makes will affect Mike, Mike's family, herself, the friends that she and Mike hung out--that's a lot of pressure for a 23 year old. We follow Carrie's journey as she tries to figure out who she is, and what role she will play in Mike's life.

Do I agree with the folks who were disappointed in what they perceived as shallowness in the character development as the book moved forward? Well, yes, in some ways--but then again, the 23 year olds of today are not exactly mature. They do make debatable choices, and some of the choices they make are based on how they think other's will make judgments about them. And some of their choices are selfish. I think so many young people are so confused about life, themselves, and how they work together.

One of the things I liked about this book, is how Carrie used sewing as an escape. I love to sew, so her descriptions of fabric, and fashion, and how she used those as an escape were interesting to me.

In the end, Carrie makes a sort of peace with her life and choices. I'm not sure it would have been quite that neat in real life, but it fit Carrie's life, and so it was a just right ending.


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