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The Dive
A man desperately seeking a do-over life, a woman willing to risk it all to save him from himself--The Dive is a romance-laced, intrigue-driven tale. Together they are swept up in the turbulent waves of a world in the throes of an identity crisis of its own. Michael and Maria are flawed, yet redeemable characters who walk a tightrope of events that seem to be "ripped from the current headlines." You will see the world through their eyes as they struggle to find meaning, love and life. Readers uniformly agree on the The Dive's intensely personal realism and overriding sense of authenticity. A strong narrative storyline sustains elements of intrigue and high tension, seamlessly blending the genres of adventure and romantic suspense.
460 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 13, 2007
I must confess that the whole notion of someone faking his own death to start a new life caught my attention from the start. Why would someone go to this extreme? What internal or external crisis would propel a man to risk throwing away everything he had worked so hard to achieve?
The first chapter was very intense, in the sense that it was quick paced and very visual--like the beginning of a movie. The author goes out of his way to make it feel personal, directly challenging the reader to think along side of the main character--to crawl inside his head.
For this reason, the first chapter was profoundly disturbing. The writer painted a picture of a basically unsympathetic, materialistic man, who, I disliked--an anti-hero. Yet, much of why I disliked Michael Charon had to do with the fact that I was constantly battling the notion that there was much about this guy's thought life that struck me as real, as genuine. It hit close to home. Perhaps too close for comfort. I was relating to certain aspects of this man's escapist, criminal daydreaming. That bothered me immensely. It also sparked an intense curiosity that kept me reading.
Without knowing it, the author had already drawn me in to the central question of THE DIVE. After the fourth chapter, I flipped back to the dedication on page two:
"To everyone who continues to
Fight the good fight, daring to
Struggle against the complacency
that comes with defining yourself
narrowly. The Dive is dedicated
to every man and woman not yet
satisfied with his or her identity,
who realizes that they are an
eternal work in progress."
At that moment I realized that I now sympathized with Michael Charon completely. Somehow the author had skillfully captured me, despite my initial resistance. This character was essentially a criminal. Now I was convinced he was redeemable, maybe even remarkable. By chapter eleven I was a full partner in Michael's quest for identity. Moreover, I began asking myself how I defined myself.
The author deployed a bit of literary slight of hand to get me to buy into the idea that Michael Charon was redeemable. A curve was thrown my way. Perhaps I should say: "curves." A woman, that is.
The story really takes on greater dimensionality with the introduction of Maria Pressman. Maria is a writer who Michael meets by chance while in Berlin, Germany. A romance blossoms as Michael and Maria are thrown into some unusual situations involving the political radicals that she has been researching for her latest book.
I don't want to give away the rest of the book, but this much must be said: the author did a heck of a job creating tension as Michael and Maria are plunged into perilous situations. As billed, THE DIVE is indeed "a romance-laced, intrigue-driven tale"--"The story of a man who goes to the extreme of faking his death in order to start a new life... and the woman who saves him from himself."
The second half of the book is about Maria's efforts to rescue Michael from some serious trouble he has gotten himself into. She is developed as a strong and intelligent character. Women will find the character of Maria Pressman extremely attractive. She is intelligent, crafty, strong-willed and beautiful to boot.
From the midpoint on, the author switches to Maria's perspective. It is this refreshing change-up that gives THE DIVE a certain male-female balance. Though, let me warn you: just because you see things through Maria's eyes doesn't mean that the intensity of this story subsides--quite the opposite! THE DIVE is not a simple romance. Not even close.
In the end, I was left wanting more, with the certain knowledge that this story had more ground to cover. I smell a sequel.
The first chapter was very intense, in the sense that it was quick paced and very visual--like the beginning of a movie. The author goes out of his way to make it feel personal, directly challenging the reader to think along side of the main character--to crawl inside his head.
For this reason, the first chapter was profoundly disturbing. The writer painted a picture of a basically unsympathetic, materialistic man, who, I disliked--an anti-hero. Yet, much of why I disliked Michael Charon had to do with the fact that I was constantly battling the notion that there was much about this guy's thought life that struck me as real, as genuine. It hit close to home. Perhaps too close for comfort. I was relating to certain aspects of this man's escapist, criminal daydreaming. That bothered me immensely. It also sparked an intense curiosity that kept me reading.
Without knowing it, the author had already drawn me in to the central question of THE DIVE. After the fourth chapter, I flipped back to the dedication on page two:
"To everyone who continues to
Fight the good fight, daring to
Struggle against the complacency
that comes with defining yourself
narrowly. The Dive is dedicated
to every man and woman not yet
satisfied with his or her identity,
who realizes that they are an
eternal work in progress."
At that moment I realized that I now sympathized with Michael Charon completely. Somehow the author had skillfully captured me, despite my initial resistance. This character was essentially a criminal. Now I was convinced he was redeemable, maybe even remarkable. By chapter eleven I was a full partner in Michael's quest for identity. Moreover, I began asking myself how I defined myself.
The author deployed a bit of literary slight of hand to get me to buy into the idea that Michael Charon was redeemable. A curve was thrown my way. Perhaps I should say: "curves." A woman, that is.
The story really takes on greater dimensionality with the introduction of Maria Pressman. Maria is a writer who Michael meets by chance while in Berlin, Germany. A romance blossoms as Michael and Maria are thrown into some unusual situations involving the political radicals that she has been researching for her latest book.
I don't want to give away the rest of the book, but this much must be said: the author did a heck of a job creating tension as Michael and Maria are plunged into perilous situations. As billed, THE DIVE is indeed "a romance-laced, intrigue-driven tale"--"The story of a man who goes to the extreme of faking his death in order to start a new life... and the woman who saves him from himself."
The second half of the book is about Maria's efforts to rescue Michael from some serious trouble he has gotten himself into. She is developed as a strong and intelligent character. Women will find the character of Maria Pressman extremely attractive. She is intelligent, crafty, strong-willed and beautiful to boot.
From the midpoint on, the author switches to Maria's perspective. It is this refreshing change-up that gives THE DIVE a certain male-female balance. Though, let me warn you: just because you see things through Maria's eyes doesn't mean that the intensity of this story subsides--quite the opposite! THE DIVE is not a simple romance. Not even close.
In the end, I was left wanting more, with the certain knowledge that this story had more ground to cover. I smell a sequel.
July 14, 2012
The first you get from reading this book is that the author is smart. You can tell right from the get go because of the amount of detail that goes into the book. Between the political knowledge, the rich detail of the various settings that make it almost too easy to picture it in your head, to knowing that the author probably did immense research to put this book together. I will say that all of the detail was a little overwhelming in some areas and it doesn't necessarily make it a quick read.
But I encourage you to keep reading because under all of that detail is a story that people can relate to. You know when life gets a bit overwhelming and you think it would just be nice to start all over? Go somewhere nobody knows you, you have no history, and start all over. This is exactly what Michael toys with in the beginning of the book and how a trip overseas puts this into action after meeting, and falling in love with, Maria.
Without getting into detail, because it would absolutely ruin it for you, I will tell you that this book is an ambitious read that you'll enjoy. If you are interested in politics, international travel, or starting all over- this book is for you
But I encourage you to keep reading because under all of that detail is a story that people can relate to. You know when life gets a bit overwhelming and you think it would just be nice to start all over? Go somewhere nobody knows you, you have no history, and start all over. This is exactly what Michael toys with in the beginning of the book and how a trip overseas puts this into action after meeting, and falling in love with, Maria.
Without getting into detail, because it would absolutely ruin it for you, I will tell you that this book is an ambitious read that you'll enjoy. If you are interested in politics, international travel, or starting all over- this book is for you
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews