The Dive From Clausen's Pier: A Novel by Ann Packer
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Book Reviews of The Dive From Clausen's Pier: A Novel
Book Review: An all-time favorite
Summary: 5 Stars
Some reviewers here have called Carrie Bell selfish or wishy-washy. They said this book was a waste of time. I disagree. Carrie Bell is human -- as are all of the characters in this novel (and Packer never resorts to stereotypes - even for her supporting cast). Many human beings are faced with difficult and complex choices, and some take a little more time than others to figure things out. Such is the case for Carrie Bell, and following her on her emotional journey was extremely moving and well worth my while. (And the book is beautifully paced. A very quick read) Ann Packer raises questions here about the value of old friendships -- even if we feel we've outgrown them -- and the capacity we have for change. She questions the importance of independence and freedom. The value of family. The pitfalls of reinventing yourself or straying too far from what you are. She asks: Do we define what we do ... or does what we do define us? There's a lot to this novel. I highly recommend it.Book Review: I'd give it 4.5 if I could. Not perfect, but darned good.
Summary: 5 Stars
Just talking with others and skimming here, it seems to me that one of the things that sold me on the book is what others seem to be criticizing. Packer's Carrie is not one-dimensional, simple and predictable, so her actions sometimes seem inconsistent or "don't make sense." Well, people, life is not that simple. She's trying to figure herself out. She is a good person who does some uncaring and even stupid things. Isn't that normal? Have we been been so indoctrinated in the phony standards we glamorize in the People Magazine culture that we can't apprciate that in a novel? She could have been the heroic girlfriend, standing by her paralyzed man. It was more complex than that, before his accident. Want a nice pat novel with cardboard and predictable characters you'll love or easily understand? Go somewhere else. Want a thought-provoking yet enertaining enough novel? This is of that ilk. That's not anything to be ashamed of.Book Review: WOW
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the recent selection for my book club... and I can't wait for our discussion on it... This was a book that completely caught my attention. It was hard to put down, yet, I didn't want it to end! The characters were great... wonderful development as I immediately felt I knew them... they will all remind you of someone you know or knew! The dive off Clausen's Pier is the catalyst for a tale of coming to terms with difficult decisions... to confront issues of love, friendship, abandonment... and how well does anyone really know anyone else. How well does one know oneself? This book made me cry and really think about how hard life can be sometimes, and what does it mean, and how meaningful relationships can be, whether they are long or short term...Book Review: I love this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
first of all, i saw the movie with michelle trantenburg on the lifetime channel. The movie is a lot better and shorter. But I loved the book too. Michelle protrays Carrie in a wonderful way, and it made me cry and smile because i can relate to the character so much. Carrie leaves her small town to new york city once her fiance is in a diving accident and she wants to start over again. it's cool how she just follows her heart and lives her life the way she wants to, not the way other people want her to. Carrie's not a bad person. She's a person who wants to find herself, just like everybody else. I'd leave my small town, too if I could. I liked the movie and I think it's a great story about life. I also liked "Ice Princess". Michelle's a good actor.Book Review: Thought Provoking
Summary: 5 Stars
This is by far one of the best books I have read. As someone who has little time for pleasure reading, I found this book to be nowhere near a waste of time and definitely not boring. The characters are complicated and dramatic enough to be novel material, yet realistic enough to relate to. The issues that Carrie deals with are those that affect every woman in her early 20s. She must decide what she wants from life and whether or not the town of Madison is standing in her way. There are times when you hate her and other times when you just want to console her, but in the end you can accept her for what she is . . . human. Packer's writing is engaging and, unlike some other books being produced lately, not too witty for her own good.