Book Review - The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

The Castaways
Elin Hilderbrand
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN # 978-0316043892

"Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed."

No matter how well you think you know your friends, never assume they've told you everything. Elin Hilderbrand might as well have written a case study of human psychology/sociology, although I must say, The Castaways held my attention far longer than a thesis would have.

The webs woven among the four couples (self named The Castaways) begin to unravel when Greg and Tess McAvoy die in a boating accident. The mess they leave behind changes the way their friends view each other and themselves. Hilderbrand is masterful in her approach, interspersing flashbacks and real time to show how the friendships begin, grow and are stretched to their limits.
(July 2009, pp 368, $24.99)




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Honor the memory, but continue to live.

It's raining today. I turned on the television, but then promptly shut it off. I haven't forgotten and I never will.

Instead of being glued to the news, as I was seven years ago, I will take advantage of a day without children underfoot. I have lots of ideas for blog posts, a fantastic mystery to finish reading, a book review to write and a double batch of chocolate chip cookies to make. That should keep me busy until the kids arrive home around 3 pm.

In my way, I will honor the life, and lives, gifted to me. I will hug my boys a little longer when they come in the door. I will curl up next to my husband when I crawl into bed tonight. I will text my daughter the words "I love you." I will be present in the moment, because it is the only one that truly exists.

Choices... and the road less taken.

A friend/acquaintance of friends passed away yesterday morning. He was in his late fifties and he was a performer. He spent his life doing what he loved. His name is not likely one you'd know.

I could link to what his best friend posted in a blog, or to the write up in the local newspaper. I could even link to his website, but this really isn't about his personal details.

I've had many opportunities over the last few years to see the show. I was at the venue five times, two years ago. But, see, the thing is... the performance wasn't something I was particularly interested in at the time. I'd heard great things, but I thought nah, I'll get to it next time. Now, there is no next time.

I have a bad habit (as I suspect we all do) of thinking I have all the time in the world. There will always be tomorrow. Every few years, I'm snapped back to reality and reminded to DO IT NOW! whatever it is. The man whose life reminded me of this again did exactly that. The only moment that truly exists is the one we're experiencing right now.

Vacation... all I ever wanted... sorta.

My husband is on vacation this week. He'll be building me a corner office unit to replace the haphazard desk, bookshelves, printer stand set up I have now. We'll also have the chance to spend some uninterrupted time together. That doesn't happen often.

So, this morning, we'll be running errands and getting things done around the house. This afternoon, I'll be working and he'll be putzing in the gardens.

Look for a review of Ready, Aim, Specialize! by Kelly James-Enger tomorrow morning.