The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky
Reviewed by Vicki Carver
How does a person who experiences a serious accident and survives
reconcile why he or she has been spared while others have perished? This issue
is addressed in Barbara Delinksy’s newest novel, The Summer I Dared.
Julia Bechtel is a New Yorker traveling to the island of Big Sawyer, Maine to
spend two weeks with her Aunt Zoe. On the boat ride from the mainland to the
island a reckless speed boat driver crashes into the ferry and kills
nine people. There are three survivors in the crash: Julia Bechtel, Noah
Prine and Kim Colella.
Julia has lived an affluent lifestyle for the past twenty years married to
Monte, a successful business man. However, there are serious “cracks” in her
marriage due to Monte’s numerous affairs and general lack of interest in
his wife. The only link they share is with their twenty-year-old daughter,
Molly.
Noah is divorced and in his early forties. He is a dedicated lobsterman.
Noah’s father has died in the ferry boat crash. Also, Noah is struggling to
improve his relationship with his estranged seventeen-year-old son, Ian.
Kim is twenty-one and has made some major mistakes in her life so far.
She has participated in a “get-rich-fast” scheme which has ultimately led to
the ferry boat crash. Kim is unable to speak after the accident and is
considered a suspect by the police in being a part of an scheme
involving illegal aliens.
Julia attempts to reach out to Noah and Kim in an effort to come to terms with
their survival. She has always been a nurturer but begins to question her
loyalty to her husband. As time passes, Julia develops a strong bond
with Noah and also helps Kim to regain her speech and face her past. Julia
eventually realizes that she is not the same person that she was before the
accident. She must confront situations in a new way
and make some painful but necessary decisions.
The Summer I Dared has a wealth of information about lobster
fishing and life on a remote island. The story of Julia, Noah and Kim is
integrated with their former lives, surviving a life threatening event and
living
on a remote but beautiful island. The characters all redefine their priorities
and become people worth reading about.