Review:
The highest tide by Jim Lynch
Bloomsbury, 2008 ISBN 9780747595090
(Ages 13+) When Miles finds a giant squid on the coast near where
he lives in Puget Sound, Washington State, he is on one of his night
time wanders in his kayak, alone with the sea and its creatures that he
loves, away from the strife at home. When a few nights later he finds a
ragfish, things move to overwhelm him. His close friend, Professor
Kramer recognizes the finds as amazing, but the newspapers dub Miles
almost a freak in their hunt for a front page newsbyte.
His friend and neighbour, Florence, lives alone and drawing towards the
end of her life, is most concerned about going to a nursing home as she
predicts what will happen in the bay. His school friend, Phelps is the
same age but obsessed with sex, and on their walks out on the flats,
talks non stop to Miles about his fantasies. But Miles is constrained
by his love for Angie, his former babysitter, and next door neighbour,
and he cannot help but feel protective towards her as she makes poor
decisions about her life.
All of the characters and events swarm towards the defining tide, the
highest tide for fifty years in the sound, which brings out
journalists, scientists, cult members and those wanting a miracle, all
wading together in the water, as Florence dies, Miles' mother promises
to return, and the community takes stock of the water and its life in
front of them. Miles' summer is a defining one, he grows up, sees
his friends and family with clear eyes and through his love of the work
of Rachel Carson, sees his place in the scheme of things, 'for all at
last return to the sea ... the beginning and the end'.
This is a book which is rarely found in adolescent literature. Through
the story of Miles, the reader is given an immense amount of detail
about the life, condition and future of the sea, through the happenings
at Puget Sound. Without being overwhelmed with information we are
initiated into the wonders of the bay, given scientific data, see for
ourselves where the bay and so the world is heading. The overlay of
Rachel Carson's work gives the novel a sub text that is hard to ignore,
and all the while we are part of a young boy's early adolescence, with
its insecurities and longings, and need for family.
I loved this book, and was amazed to read that it is Jim Lynch's first
novel. The story will appeal to reflective readers in early to middle
secondary school, particularly those absorbed by environmental issues,
and that should be everyone.
Fran Knight
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