Point Clear

by Jennifer Paddock

Caroline Berry is lost at twenty-seven, living in New York -- not as the writer she once hoped to be but as an assistant at two part-time jobs. In an attempt to figure out a next step, she heads for Point Clear, Alabama, to spend several weeks relaxing at an old southern hotel on Mobile Bay -- unaware that it will soon lie in the direct path of Hurricane Ivan. Ignoring evacuation orders, Caroline hides out in the hotel and braves the storm alone. The next morning, she meets a mysterious man on the beach as he enters the churning water for a swim. He is Walker Galloway, a champion swimmer, which she discovers after learning of his disappearance in the newspaper. Realizing she is the last to have seen him, Caroline becomes entangled with his family and friends, and as she is gradually drawn in to Walker's world, she finds, at last, the story she was meant to tell. Point Clear is a compelling tale of one woman's quest for self -- who finds it only when searching for another.

Genres: Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jennifer Paddock is the author of the novels A Secret Word, Point Clear, and The Weight of Memory. She received an M.A. in creative writing from New York University, and her short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Stories from the Blue Moon Café, The North American Review, Other Voices, Garden and Gun, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, and The New York Times. She is also a tennis pro at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama.

Praise:

“A riveting novel about memory, the meaning of home, and what we are willing to leave behind.”
Michelle Richmond, author of The Year of Fog

“Jennifer Paddock seduces the reader with the narrative equivalent of a raised eyebrow or the almost imperceptible nod of the head. At the end the reader is inclined to ask the
writer as well as her characters—what’s next?”
Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City

“Poignant and true, Paddock’s language evokes the
elegiac way lives play themselves out.”
William Gay, author of Twilight

“In remarkably elegant and evocative prose, Jennifer Paddockreveals that it’s not only the big moments that can change a life, but the deceptively quiet ones, like the eye of the hurricane her
heroine passes through.”
Leah Stewart, author of The Myth of You and Me

“Paddock writes like Raymond Carver with a bigger heart—simple, graceful but tough, always with an eye on the
possibility of redemption.”
Michael Knight, author of Goodnight, Nobody

“There is something about Paddock’s writing that defies conventional description. The closest word I can summon is ‘magic’.”
Melinda Haynes, author of Mother of Pearl

"Point Clear is a subtle novel about an introspective young woman's search for selfhood . . . elegiac prose . . . . A warm tale.” –-Publishers Weekly

"A Secret Word is striking . . . a subtle, surprising first novel, with unforgettable characters, a quiet sense of place and a nuanced exploration of the secrets, loves, despairs, friends and relatives that shape our lives.”—Publishers Weekly

"A Secret Word is an uncommonly assured debut . . . Paddock's narrative is deceptively simple. Her characters neither implausibly obsess over minutiae nor have conveniently placed dramatic episodes; instead, their creator relies on a smoothly authoritative voice to simply carry us through. An unusually generous spirit animates these pages, knowledgeable about shared pain, the call of the big city, disappointments, and secret keeping . . . . the lucky discovery of three secret diaries."-- Kirkus Reviews

"Filled with many moving and sometimes devastating moments and observations, Paddock’s first novel is three coming-of-age stories for the price of one." — Booklist

Reviews

[Joanna Carden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hurricane Ivan struck the Gulf Coast in September 2004, causing billions of dollars in damage from Mobile, Alabama, to Panama City Beach, Florida. My dad's engineering company contracted with FEMA in the clean-up relief efforts, and he was sent to that region to help for several months. We had Thanksgiving in Destin, Florida, that year, and visited several other times. During our trips, we would travel to the areas affected most -- Pensacola being a prominent area hit. The devastation was total, with homes and beaches affected with little relief in sight. Although Hurricane Katrina would strike the very next year, at the time it seemed no hurricane could do more damage.

Jennifer Paddock's novel Point Clear is about Hurricane Ivan and the experience of main character Caroline Berry during the storm. Caroline is a twenty-something writer from Oklahoma who now lives in New York City. Lately her writing career seems a bit murky, and she takes three weeks off to vacation at the beach in Point Clear, Alabama, at the Grand Hotel. Her parents once vacationed there, and she believes that in some way this trip will make her feel closer to her deceased father. However, when she arrives she learns that Hurricane Ivan is making its way towards the Gulf Coast. Rather than evacuate, Caroline decides to wait the storm out in the hotel. The morning after the storm, Caroline meets a world-class swimmer named Walker, who dives into the murky Gulf waters just after their conversation. When Walker doesn't resurface days later, a search begins for him and Caroline is seemingly the last person to have seen him. His disappearance jolts Caroline into a writing frenzy as she imagines his mindset and struggles to tell his tale to perfection.

Although the novel has few plot twists, Caroline's journey is an interesting one. Her connection to Walker and her feeling that in some ways they are the same person makes for interesting reading. Paddock includes a novel-within-a-novel with several rewrites as Caroline re-imagines Walker's time in the water.

[Alesha Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure what intrigued me about this book. In the end, it is between a 2.5-3 star read that engages the reader with a sense of place and a reasonable ending.

The Good - I liked the feeling of Point Clear, Alabama. The novel made me want to plan a visit. I was thankful for the ending too, which I will not describe, but which other readers will understand.

The Eh - Anderson Cooper’s odd appearance in the novel. It didn’t really make thematic sense to me. The other Eh - likely the biggest Eh for many readers - is that the pace slogs in the muddle, er middle, is the book. You spend several chapters wondering exactly where this novel is leading before it gets back on the rails.

The Ugly - The whole “ride out the storm in the hotel” seemed a little implausible to me. The characters also seemed a little vague.

Overall, I’m left with a mild enjoyment of the novel. I’m not running out to buy more of Ms. Paddock’s work, but I wouldn’t run away from it either.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Paddock's description of the grounds and the area were excellent and painted a great picture of the Eastern Shore, I was unmoved by basically anything else in this book. As someone that is from Point Clear, frequents the Grand Hotel, and was in town during Ivan, I can honestly say that this book was completely unbelievable and that made it hard for me to really get into it. While it was a good tale of a woman's self-discovery, I was too busy pointing out discrepancies between the story and reality to take advantage of it. Maybe for someone that isn't from the area, but for me, it was just plain frustrating to read.

[Wendy Johansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable enough quick read. I don't recall having so much angst about the direction my life was headed when I was in my mid twenties. I was doing what I had to do to pay my bills, rent, and was just getting by. My next step seemed evident at the time, and I didn't give so much thought to what would work out. Perhaps looking back maybe I should have, but I doubt it would've made much difference. Carolyn clearly had so much greater means than I did, allowing her to escape her dead end jobs, take a luxurious three week vacation at a posh southern hotel, and try to figure it out. I am not that interested in the minutiae of competitive swimming or tennis. I just couldn't relate.

[Fancynancyuga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am from this area. I went through Hurricane Ivan. I saw the devastation done to this area and find it very hard to believe that this idiot would ride out a hurricane in a hotel room. Okay, so this idiot is a made up character. However, Hurricane Ivan was not. The author does a great job describing the Grand Hotel and Point Clear Alabama and this would be a good book to encourage others to visit. However, the story line was weak in my opinion.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book on vacation at where else The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. I finished it on vacation. It was intriguing to me because I love the Hotel and we have a special place in our hearts. Sweet story abount a young women questioning her self and life in general. Plus it had real life ties such as Hurricane Ivan. I am a weather buff so it appeals to me.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Stormed" through this book...bad joke yes i know. Not my typical type of book but good none the less. I think she could have developed the main character a bit better or made her a bit darker of a character. She needed rescuing but you didn't get that strong "I need help" vibe that i think was the author's aim. I'll keep her on my reading list and see what stories she brings us.

[Mai Ling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in about two days. I mean, it was predictable, and the main character was kind of pathetic, but I just had to find out how it ended. Plus the whole storm thing was really cool. Two days! Now that's a compliment!

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this novel is the way it deals with falling in love with an ideal, whether it be a person, place or object. The protaganist, Caroline, experiences loss, a hurricane, deals with family and other events with a passion I wish were more evident in her interactions with romance.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not all that exciting, although I did like the way it was written for some reason. It feels like the entire book takes place in the eye of a hurricane- a quiet hush, filled with tension, waiting for something to happen.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I didn't realize that it was so short and a very quick read. I just felt that there was more to the story that needed to be told but it was still a good story.

[Laura Turnbaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always fun to read about landscapes close to home. Not very believable but enjoyable all the same.

[Stephanie Schuster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it 4 because it read so easy and Might read it again to pass the time. I was a swimmer and I like hearing her praise that. Easy light summer read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book-and considering I live where there are hurricanes I think it would be cool to 'evacuate' to a hotel and be there by yourself when the storm comes.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting, but also strange. One thing I could relate to: what woman can’t relate to taking a break from her life to figure herself out?!? 😜

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I am very familiar with the locale the book is set in. It takes place mainly at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. I have visited this property several times, so this seemed intriguing to me. However, the plot was thin, the characters not well developed, and the author needs some maturing, in my opinion. Her description of being in a hurricane was fairly accurate...I have experience with that, too!

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come

[Cace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a so-so story with some unlikely events. I did like the description of Point Clear, Alabama...maybe a nice place to visit?

[Kristal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Caroline Berry is originally from Tulsa and after being accepted into NYU's graduate program for creative writing, she now lives in New York and works two jobs trying to make ends meet. When Caroline's grandfather passes away and leaves her a large sum of money, she decides to take a sabbatical to Alabama and visit the place that her grandfather discovered, the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. Her parents had stayed there for their honeymoon and she had only ever heard stories of the antebellum resort, the majestic oaks, the Spanish moss, magnolias, about Mobile Bay. She felt a powerful need to escape to this place.

After arriving at the Grand Hotel, she discovers that Hurricane Ivan is headed on a direct course for Alabama, its eye aimed directly at Point Clear. In need of some advice, Caroline calls her mother to discuss the situation. But instead of telling her to leave, Caroline's mother ends the phone call with the decision that whatever she decides, to just be careful. So she chooses to stay at the hotel and wait out the storm.

I had such high hopes for this since it was written about South Alabama and the beautiful Eastern Shore. Sadly, it was just too poorly written to really have any redeeming qualities other than the fact that it does make one want to visit Mobile Bay and learn the history of the Grand Hotel, which actually did serve as a hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers, and to see the 550-acres that make up the hotel grounds and visit the wonderful town of Fairhope and to visit Middle Bay Lighthouse.

[Joannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a revolutionary read by any means, but enjoyable and just the sort of uplifting/soul-searching story I was looking to immerse myself into at this point. 27-year-old (my age!)... taking a break from her job to really focus on accomplishing what she wants (to write a novel); reconciles with broken family relations; meets a hot guy who is a professional tennis player ... all the stuff that we hope for, I suppose. Would make a great movie, I think... lots of tentatively beautiful nature moments in the sea. Characters are fairly down-to-earth and hopeful so it was almost too easy to relate to and feel the warmth of dreams.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish - not interesting and felt like I was reading a high school student's attempt at a novel (not to offend high school students b/c I'm sure there are some amazing authors among them that are far talented than I - however - this author isn't one of them).

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story overall, written like a thinly disguised memoir. The problem is, she keeps re-writing this meeting she has with this guy at the beach, and it seems really amateurish, instead of current/cutting edge/surreal, like maybe it's supposed to be.

[Lizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main character was so oddly written that I couldn't enjoy this. She was so naive that I was literally wondering if she was supposed to be developmentally challenged. I also am not a fan of books that rely on "excerpts of books within the book" to carry the story along.

[Lisa Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was somewhat interesting, but I didn't sympathize with the main character. I thought many of the characters and plot points were contrived. While I enjoyed reading about the Eastern Shore area, the writing was just average or even below-average compared to most books I read.

[Amy Brockway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this b/c it was set on the Alabama Gulf Coast as a hurricane came in.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

New York girl spends some time at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama and ends up riding out a hurricane, an identity crisis and writer's block.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked her first novel, A Secret Word, much better.

[Leah Colvin-Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My mom loaned me this book. It was set in a town that her friend lives in. But like the 2 stars say, it was okay.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

8/10/2004

[Kfooshee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, quick read....great for the beach or for a plane ride. I can't wait to get her other one, A Secret Word.