Heat

by Michael Cadnum

The soft lapping sound of a swimming pool and the lifeless smell of chlorinated water pervade this novel about a competitive high diver who struggles through her terrible fear of returning to the platform after hitting her head in a diving accident. Bonnie Chamberlain, almost 17, faces an even bigger challenge when her lawyer father is brought to trial and convicted of defrauding his clients. After he pleads guilty and she finds that her mother, too, is implicated, Bonnie uses the determination that took her back up the diving ladder to take charge of her own life--and to accept her parents as they are. Michael Cadnum's oblique, hard-edged style is perfectly suited to this story set in the upper-middle-class milieu of Northern California, where pleasant, witty remarks are stand-ins for communicating real feelings. Cadnum is master of the revealing Bonnie's boyfriend, Rowan, "wants to concentrate on acoustical physics," her stepmother, in "a sherbet outfit thing," looks like "someone auditioning for hostess at a pancake restaurant," and the courthouse has floors the color of goose-liver pâté. Here, tangible ambience is as important as plot. Thoughtful readers will find Heat less dark than, but equally engrossing as, Cadnum's Calling Home, Edge, and Breaking the Fall. (Ages 14 and older) --Patty Campbell

Genres: Young Adult

Library Binding

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Michael Cadnum has had a number of jobs over the course of his life, including pick-and-shoveler for the York Archaeological Trust, in York, England, and substitute teacher in Oakland, California, but his true calling is writing. He is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion. His Calling Home and Breaking the Fall were both nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award. He is a former Creative Writing Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts. Also a poet, he has received several awards, including Poetry Northwest's Helen Bullis Prize and the Owl Creek Book Award. Michael lives in Albany, California, with his wife Sherina.

Reviews

[Peter McGinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One reason I read Young Adult novels is because I have written one myself and am working on another one. I tend to stick to ones similar to mine - more realistic stories of daily life rather than fantasy or supernatural. I think also being a writer affects my reviews, so your reading experience may not be the same. There is my disclaimer out of the way.

I liked this book. I tend not to finish books I don't like but I was never tempted to give up on this one. This was written by a man (and this review is by a man) but I think it holds an accurate portrayal from the point of view of the lead female character. That is good, because it stays very close to her as we are privy at all times to her thoughts and feelings.

There are two main threads to the story: the aftermath of an accident Bonnie suffers while high diving, and problems that develop for her father. There are subplots as well, but not too many as it is a fairly short novel, as YA often is. There is Bonnie's relationship with her divorced parents, a friendship that goes slightly sour, and a unique close friend with a guy. That last relationship seems complex. I think it is deliberately kept vague, because this would be an entirely different book with a romance in it and would perhaps detract from the main plot. The relationship with Rowan is therefore open to interpretation. In my opinion, he is half in love with her while she needs him just as a close friend and keeps him sort of at arm's length, perhaps for her own protection. She seems to think his parents like her but not as a potential girlfriend for their son. Well, that's my take on it, but you may see it differently.

There aren't too many of what you'd call twists in the story so I won't give my more details of the plot. I think a couple other reviews perhaps say too much along those lines. It doesn't have as much humor in it as I try to put in my books, but where it does pop up it is subtle and well-done, usually in Bonnie's thoughts. I think realistic dialogue is critical in fiction, and this book measures up in that respect also.

[Timo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It wasn't too long and it was easy to follow. The author made me visualize a lot through his word choice of describing things. This epic drama has bin a very powerful book for me. I find this author's style of writing interesting because there is barely any dialogue.