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- General fiction - |
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The Water in Between |
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| The Water in Between by Kevin Patterson Random House Canada (Vintage Books) ISBN 0679310541 304 pages, June 2000 Reviewed by Morgan Ann Adams The Water in Between is a fairly well written testament to selfishness. Saddled with a broken heart and newly released from a boring job, Kevin Patterson escapes to the open sea. Though he had never traveled at sea, with the exception of ferry trips, Patterson read extensively on the subject of sailing. This man so used to learning and succeeding finds himself utterly dependent on his sole crewmate and guide, Don Lang. A trip to Tahiti that Patterson had once envisioned tackling alone becomes a partnership. Only on the trip back to Canada does Patterson experience sailing alone. The dangers he encounters would be exciting were it not for the foolishness that brought them about. I spent the majority of the book waiting for Dr. Patterson to reach an epiphany; for him to realize that the act of living is a struggle for every person, not just himself. I wanted him to admit that the months spent on the water gave him a better understanding of mortality; that enjoying life is more important than complaining about it. Perhaps I am too used to the cliched Hollywood ending. That epiphany never came. Kevin Patterson does find within himself a better understanding of home. He muses about isolation, slowly letting go to the pain that forced him into the sea unprepared. This book is ideal for those who stare out at the ocean, romanticizing the adventures they imagine occurring within the waves. Patterson's lack of respect for nature and the trouble it causes him is inspiring for anyone wishing to venture out onto the sea. The experiences detailed in The Water in Between are humbling for the reader, creating a better understanding of the power of nature. Unfortunately Kevin Patterson was never humbled and continued to make the same mistakes to the end of his journey. While on the path to setting the story among the waves, the author takes an interesting detour into literature, listing several of the books that have shaped his viewpoints and provided him with inspiration. Though Patterson gleans some weighty insights from these works, The Water in Between lacks a sense of independent mediation. The people Patterson meets and the places he goes make up for much of the erratic contemplation. The descriptions of barren, solitary ocean and exotic tropical islands form easy images for the reader. Through the author's own folly comes a series of lessons. He delves into his own dependence of civilized society, the importance of experience over learning, and the general purpose of putting life in perspective. The Water in Between is more a literary sailing novel than a book of travel. It is replete with solid imagery and symbolism that speaks louder than the inept creator of the words can. Despite my sometimes aversion to Patterson's personality (as it is shown through the book), his trip was thought inducing and a worthy read. At times humorous, at others painful, Patterson brings to life a modern day adventure, in a world where there is very little left to explore. |
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