Hello Beautiful People,
As you all know, the book club selection for this month is Learning Not to Drown, by Anna Shinoda. If you’re not familiar with our book club, you can get all the goods + details + info right here.
I’m not sure where to begin with Learning Not to Drown. Not sure at all.
It’s an absolutely captivating story. Captivating. For every family has a secret or two, and Learning Not to Drown plunges beneath the surface to reveal it all.
At the heart of the story is Clare Tovin. Clare has two older brothers, Peter and Luke. While Peter is the typical rebellious middle child, Luke can do no wrong in the eyes of their parents. And then there’s Claire, the straight A student, expert lifeguard, and everyone’s friend. And yet, that’s just the surface, for there’s flip side to every situation.
Peter’s angst comes from the abusive relationship with their older brother, Luke, who has been in and out of jail since Clare was seven. But despite his obvious flaws, his sister and parents turn a blind eye. And when he’s released from jail (again), they welcome him back home with open arms. With open hearts. With every intention of helping him get on his feet. With every intention of helping him stay clean, and on a healthy and positive path.
And then Luke breaks the trust of the one who loves him like no other, the one who holds him in the highest regard, the one who has forgotten everything he’s done – Clare.
What he does is so awful, such a mark of betrayal, that I cannot even type it out. (I also don’t want to give away the ending, as I hope you’ll participate in our book club discussion at the end of the month!)
But here’s what I will say –
This is a book about family. About love. About the balance between light and dark. It’s a story about forgiveness, about forgiving another person, and finding forgiveness in oneself. It’s a story about learning how to let go.
Addiction, and drug addiction is a bone crushing, world spiraling, horrible thing. But perhaps the thing that many of us forget, is that the ramifications of it’s darkness extend far beyond that of it’s user. It hurts the families and loved ones of the user. I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed this book – it reminded me of the stories of one too many students I have had, and the stories that one too many people have yet to hear, but absolutely should.
Live, Love, Learn,