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Drowning
Note: OUT OF PRINT. The lives of four college students twist together with psychological drama during the fall term of freshman year.
From the beginning, Aidan Sawyer is disturbed. His warped perception is the product of being bullied and teased. He lives in an apartment with Callie and Mia Burke—the typical, bickering sisters. Callie is the perfect daughter. She's smart and beautiful, and she can do no wrong. Mia is jealous of her sister and the attention she receives from their parents. She’s willing to go out of her way to cast off the shadow she’s been living in, even going to the extreme of performing at a strip club.
Meanwhile, Tom Harris gives into his sexual urges. He revels in living a double life of being a nice guy and one of promiscuity. A series of events is set into motion when Tom manipulates his way into Aidan's life.
Aidan spirals into madness as his dreams pull him into a Wonderland-esque world of his own imagining. Inner demons manifest themselves in the mirror, haunting him and taking control of his body. He attempts to exorcise them by self-infliction and succumbs to temporary highs as he rejects everything he’s feeling.
Unable to trust anyone, Aidan finds himself alone. He grows desperate, looking for an escape route. His life has become a rip current, and it’s pulling him under. He’s drowning. He can’t keep holding on. He wants to let go.
With his last breath, he only has one decision to make: sink or swim?
From the beginning, Aidan Sawyer is disturbed. His warped perception is the product of being bullied and teased. He lives in an apartment with Callie and Mia Burke—the typical, bickering sisters. Callie is the perfect daughter. She's smart and beautiful, and she can do no wrong. Mia is jealous of her sister and the attention she receives from their parents. She’s willing to go out of her way to cast off the shadow she’s been living in, even going to the extreme of performing at a strip club.
Meanwhile, Tom Harris gives into his sexual urges. He revels in living a double life of being a nice guy and one of promiscuity. A series of events is set into motion when Tom manipulates his way into Aidan's life.
Aidan spirals into madness as his dreams pull him into a Wonderland-esque world of his own imagining. Inner demons manifest themselves in the mirror, haunting him and taking control of his body. He attempts to exorcise them by self-infliction and succumbs to temporary highs as he rejects everything he’s feeling.
Unable to trust anyone, Aidan finds himself alone. He grows desperate, looking for an escape route. His life has become a rip current, and it’s pulling him under. He’s drowning. He can’t keep holding on. He wants to let go.
With his last breath, he only has one decision to make: sink or swim?
414 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2013
12 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 4, 2013
* This was a Goodreads giveaway that I received.
How to start this review? I have pondered and debated for several days because Matthew seems like such a nice young man but I try to be honest with hope that he will learn something valuable from my insights. Of course, he is free to say she is an old coot who doesn't know what she is talking about...and that is okay too.
Drowning felt like an autobiography not a novel. The pain was so "out there in your face" that I believe the author must have experienced it himself in many if not most of the same ways.
The first thing I want the author to know is this...there are WAY TOO MANY descriptive paragraphs that are totally unnecessary and that do not enhance the writing in anyway. It reminded me of English students who are told "add more description/ add more adjectives" and so young Mr Hubbard took this to heart and did so on almost every page especially in the beginning of the book. One example would be these paragraphs on page 145.
"He sat down on the sand. The evening sun beat down on his face as he focused on the waves. They rolled in, one by one...rising from the deep-the calm, marching in one by one. They gained momentum, pressure building higher and higher as they reached toward the sky-always trying to reach the sky.
The pressure was too much, and the surface broke. They fell. They stumbled, tripping and rolling and crashing into the bitter, hard shore. One by one they repeated the pattern, always stuck in a rut. They rose up, tempting the hand of fate."
As a former newspaper reporter I will say that one thing I learned is that the fewer words the better. Sure there are times that more words especially more descriptive words are needed. But to be effective they must be sparse so they have true meaning, depth and impact when read. I got to the point where I felt "oh gosh here we go again." It made the reading painful in this regard.
There are other parts of the book that I just had to put big ???? around paragraphs because they lost all meaning as they rambled on and on. I know what the author was attempting to do but it failed terribly. An example would be the last paragraph on page 37.
While I have a lot of criticisms regarding his writing style; I do think that Matthew Hubbard knows how to organize and develop a plot. I also think that he has something worthwhile to say. I suspect as Mr. Hubbard practices his craft and learns some of the finer points of writing a novel that we will be hearing from him in the future with stories that are important and make the reader ponder life and their role in it. I await his next offering with thanks for sharing this one!
How to start this review? I have pondered and debated for several days because Matthew seems like such a nice young man but I try to be honest with hope that he will learn something valuable from my insights. Of course, he is free to say she is an old coot who doesn't know what she is talking about...and that is okay too.
Drowning felt like an autobiography not a novel. The pain was so "out there in your face" that I believe the author must have experienced it himself in many if not most of the same ways.
The first thing I want the author to know is this...there are WAY TOO MANY descriptive paragraphs that are totally unnecessary and that do not enhance the writing in anyway. It reminded me of English students who are told "add more description/ add more adjectives" and so young Mr Hubbard took this to heart and did so on almost every page especially in the beginning of the book. One example would be these paragraphs on page 145.
"He sat down on the sand. The evening sun beat down on his face as he focused on the waves. They rolled in, one by one...rising from the deep-the calm, marching in one by one. They gained momentum, pressure building higher and higher as they reached toward the sky-always trying to reach the sky.
The pressure was too much, and the surface broke. They fell. They stumbled, tripping and rolling and crashing into the bitter, hard shore. One by one they repeated the pattern, always stuck in a rut. They rose up, tempting the hand of fate."
As a former newspaper reporter I will say that one thing I learned is that the fewer words the better. Sure there are times that more words especially more descriptive words are needed. But to be effective they must be sparse so they have true meaning, depth and impact when read. I got to the point where I felt "oh gosh here we go again." It made the reading painful in this regard.
There are other parts of the book that I just had to put big ???? around paragraphs because they lost all meaning as they rambled on and on. I know what the author was attempting to do but it failed terribly. An example would be the last paragraph on page 37.
While I have a lot of criticisms regarding his writing style; I do think that Matthew Hubbard knows how to organize and develop a plot. I also think that he has something worthwhile to say. I suspect as Mr. Hubbard practices his craft and learns some of the finer points of writing a novel that we will be hearing from him in the future with stories that are important and make the reader ponder life and their role in it. I await his next offering with thanks for sharing this one!
August 22, 2013
"Drowning" is a psychological drama about four college students — Aiden, Callie, Mia and Tom. While Aiden is primary the focus of the story, who battles his inner demons and connects with the audience the most, we do get a fair share of how the rest of the characters deal with everyday life.
Congratulations to Matthew Hubbard on his first book, because this book is really amazing and easily became one of my favorites as I finished this in two sittings. The way the story perspective switches between all the characters helps you connect with each character and their troubled minds, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
We are presented four different kinds of psychological minds: Aiden, who is lost in his own madness of a mind. Callie, who is smart and beautiful yet finds it hard to accept herself. Mia, who is always shadowed by her sister, Callie, and wants to get out of that shadow. Tom, who wonders why was he born wanting men instead of women.
The book's main focus, however, is on Aiden and the way he battles against himself and his inner demons; and thus he ended up being the character I grew most fond of. Specifically, the chapters where Aiden was dreaming and lost in his own mess of utter despair is really where the psychological impact comes to play. The other three characters have their own little charm too and it was great reading how each of them grew up and changed by the end of the story.
Congratulations to Matthew Hubbard on his first book, because this book is really amazing and easily became one of my favorites as I finished this in two sittings. The way the story perspective switches between all the characters helps you connect with each character and their troubled minds, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
We are presented four different kinds of psychological minds: Aiden, who is lost in his own madness of a mind. Callie, who is smart and beautiful yet finds it hard to accept herself. Mia, who is always shadowed by her sister, Callie, and wants to get out of that shadow. Tom, who wonders why was he born wanting men instead of women.
The book's main focus, however, is on Aiden and the way he battles against himself and his inner demons; and thus he ended up being the character I grew most fond of. Specifically, the chapters where Aiden was dreaming and lost in his own mess of utter despair is really where the psychological impact comes to play. The other three characters have their own little charm too and it was great reading how each of them grew up and changed by the end of the story.
July 21, 2013
It was a nice comfort read. I'd like to read more about the lives of Tom, Aiden, Callie and Mia.
June 29, 2014
Having finished Drowning: First off I'd like to say thank you. Thank you for not sugar coating such serious issues. It's a welcomed change to have someone so accurately discuss and depict such monumental decisions as coming out in the case of Tom and Aiden, or Mia trying to find herself in sex and being wanted. So many authors paint this very unrealistic picture of what those characters went through. I loved that instead of finding small things about the book that were similar to my life I found a story that I could have written myself. The depression Aiden feels was so incredibly real because it was for you I am guessing. I found myself remembering what it was and is like to struggle with who you are, who you love and what you feel. I appreciated that you didn't hold back, you told the story in such a way as to convey life versus fiction. So many stories go for the obvious attention grabber be it sex or over done love. You made this book not only interesting but you did so without selling some gimmick. I can't praise the story enough. I appreciate that someone else went through things similar to myself and countless others, and then chose to share a story that can make a difference.
All the best
@cromie
All the best
@cromie
July 22, 2013
Wonderful plot! Kept me interested at all times. Interested as to how the Character's lives will intertwine. Can't wait to read more!
July 21, 2013
Really Good Book!
November 24, 2013
I just finished reading it and I can only say I LOVED it. I even underlined some parts where I was astonished by the resemblance of the situation to what I also lived.
Only someone who lived what we have lived could portray in such a good way the feelings and sensations that people like us feel in that particular moment in life and I don't think this is something wrong. I don't think the author should have stayed more distant. It only adds more reality and depth to the story.
I really admire Matthew and his courage of speaking about all of this. I really hope his novel will also enlighten some young people who are living their condition as an incredible burden. This novel teaches something very very important that unfortunately, for those who can't accept their true self, is hard to discover and realize.
Only someone who lived what we have lived could portray in such a good way the feelings and sensations that people like us feel in that particular moment in life and I don't think this is something wrong. I don't think the author should have stayed more distant. It only adds more reality and depth to the story.
I really admire Matthew and his courage of speaking about all of this. I really hope his novel will also enlighten some young people who are living their condition as an incredible burden. This novel teaches something very very important that unfortunately, for those who can't accept their true self, is hard to discover and realize.
December 18, 2013
This movie was a horrible idea to read. Thanks for the free book goodreads, however, I made it through the first 50 pages and it reminds me of how ignorant some people can be. We get it, you were bullied, next time you choose to write a book and self publish it, just title it your memoirs. Hell, even your middle school English teacher could have done a better job at editing. Ridiculously written. Whoever left the review. "the next breakfast club" or whatever is on his website- is nowhere near applicable to this book. Hence why it doesn't have a news outlet source to back it up. Your fans are your fans. Must be someone who loved seeing you in drag. Do us a favor, don't quit your day job.
September 4, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. I like how it's written in first person for each character - it felt like I was reading diary exerts from them. Each of the characters felt like a friend. I applaud Matthew for his detailed descriptions about how someone feels going through something difficult. I think other readers can relate and know they are not alone.
April 18, 2014
Such an awesome read! This book will definitely pull you in with the first few pages, making it difficult to put down. I think I could personally identify with a few aspects of each character. This is a story that will invoke almost every emotion with each turn of the page.
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September 5, 2013I have won this book through the Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!
I will edit this review after I have read it.
I will edit this review after I have read it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews