The Edge of Tidal Pools

by Michèle Phoenix

Book Overview

When Casey arrives on the Ile de Batz, a small island off the coast of France, she is just as ragged and desolate as the coastline that materializes out of the mist. She has exiled herself to a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598580892
• ISBN13: 9781598580891
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Dog Ear Pub Llc
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.5" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Good read. Good message.

THE EDGE OF TIDAL POOLS is well written, "can't put it down" fiction. Vivid "word pictures" and a jolting nonfiction message alerts parents in general, and parents in ministry to their responsibility to see, hear and meet the emotional as well as physical needs of their children above all else.

A beautifully written book!

What a beautifully written book! Many of the passages soar poetically. I found myself frequently caught up in the beauty of Ms. Phoenix's written word. In addition, I also felt deeply for the major characters in their struggles with faith and interpersonal relationships. I am glad that the author wrote the afterword, however. Such misguided albeit zealous parents as the Landons are, I hope, a very small minority, especially in this "enlightened" age, when mission boards and their constituents are more atune to the needs of missionary children.

Insightful and painfully believable

Having just this week experienced a suicide in our small Christian community in England, I can validate the rawness and reality of Casey's emotions. Having experienced suicides connected to or emanating from yet another community, I also share Casey's feelings of disbelief and horror in the face of clearly abusive 'spiritual' relationships. This is but one series of snapshots of the wounding (sometimes fatal) that occurs in a context which God meant for healing. On a less emotional (yet very emotive) issue, the author's obviously- and appropriately-sympathetic understanding of French culture creates a poignant, and sometimes humorous, portrayal of very real people. I appreciate the fact that we were not given a 'story book' ending with Casey being swept up in Luke's arms. We were left with everyone still 'in process,' a most uncomfortable--but real life--view of our world: peace amid carnage, a few answers amid a flood of questions, faith in the midst of pain. Thanks, Michele, for this book!

A page-turner with heart!

Knowing the author and having worked artistically with her, I expected this to be an excellently crafted novel, and I was not disappointed! The description of the Ile de Batz makes you feel like you've been there (I have, but it made me feel like it was just yesterday). The characters are so alive that I miss them already. But this is no fluffy novel -- it's honest and open and it makes you think. I highly recommend this book!

A compeling and honest look at loss and healing

I should say that I found the first ten pages numbingly dense and foreign sounding. Given what the protagonist Casey is experiencing, that effect was likely intentional, but the unsuspecting reader may be tempted to just put the book down and give up. And maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it's appropriate to test the resolve of the reader, and to weed out those who aren't willing to pay the cost to uncover the truth. Maybe this book's characters, and those that inspired it, deserve that much. With the second chapter, the pace changes and the story becomes much more readable, unfolding along two parallel tracks, one present, and one past: The present track chronicles Casey's gradual recovery from the devastation she has experienced, while the past track chronicles the events leading up to it, through her interaction with a troubled student. Casey is real, even though we become acquainted with her in a work of fiction. She is believable as a real person, which is unfortunate because it reminds us of the difficult truth that this story is inspired by real events. As Casey gradually finds healing, she is able to face more of the reality of what happened, and the contrast between her improving condition and what we learn of her student's heartbreaking experience is striking. This book presents and stirs up a lot of raw emotion. It is not a feel-good read, but it is very honest, and that is probably the only appropriate way to deal with a subject like this. Expect no quick and easy answers--the book offers none because it recognizes that there are none to be found. And in that, it pays tribute to those who have endured "missionary zeal gone tragically awry" and honors their memory. Casey's loss does not result from any mistake on her part. She just loves and believes in her student with a genuineness that is comforting. And even though her efforts do not rescue him, the way that she mourns for him is a compelling acknowledgment of the tremendous value that has been placed in each one of us. It is tragic that there should be a need for the Caseys of this world, but their willingness to know and to love is a precious and powerful statement of God's own love for us. My high rating comes from being able to relate to the subject matter, but the appeal of the story probably extends to any teacher or friend who has dealt with deep loss of someone that they loved. I would especially recommend this book for missionary kids whose lives have been hurt in the name of service to God, for whom the message is that people do mourn your pain, and for their missionary parents who may be unaware of the needless casualties of their holy war.