How Far Is the Ocean from Here: A Novel

This book is beautifully crafted- I enjoyed every last word!

Interesting characters, but there were just too many basic flaws in her craft to be a really enjoyable read. The point of view would sometimes change three or four times on one page, so it was hard to become engaged with any one character. Plus there was a lot of what David Haynes would call "worm girl" syndrome - a character sitting around alone thinking about things. There...more

Interesting characters, but there were just too many basic flaws in her craft to be a really enjoyable read. The point of view would sometimes change three or four times on one page, so it was hard to become engaged with any one character. Plus there was a lot of what David Haynes would call "worm girl" syndrome - a character sitting around alone thinking about things. There were also quite a few "reveals" of secrets held by the characters, but rather than advancing the plot, the new information led to dead ends. On the positive side, I liked the crisis or climax scene, which was unexpected and had a lot of potential, but the author probably shouldn't have held it until the last 30 pages of an otherwise immobile plot. The plot resolution was also highly inconsistent with the characters presented in the story. It was a slog most of the time, but I'm glad I finished it because obviously it left me thinking.   hide

shearn brings us along for the ride as a young woman is experiencing a crisis and tries to cope. very vivid images of the southwest and startling revelations of what she's doing and what has happened. awkward people and events dot the landscape of this unique novel...as well as the superb descriptions of feelings and scenery.

young, methaphors all the way the edge, but worth it

I loved the characters and the story. The end was so emotional I cried and I don't cry very easily. It really tore me up.