The Divide by Nicholas Evans

Two words I would use to describe The Divide as I reach the last page would be happy and sad, all at the same time. I feel sad for the Coopers – Ben, Sarah, Josh and Abby. For what they went through and what could have been and for all that they lost. Happy for them too because they found some form of peace within themselves and with each other at the end.

Before I go further, a quick recap - the story started with body of a young woman found embedded in the ice of a remote mountain creek. It wasn’t long before the authorities identify her – Abby Cooper, wanted for murder and acts of eco-terrorism and her picture is on every police computers all across America. The question is how did she die? What was she doing up on the mountain? What trail of events led her, a beloved child of a loving family to stray so tragically?

This is one book that is full of ‘What ifs’ and ‘if only’ and such. What if the family didn’t holiday at The Divide that particular summer? What if Ben never met Eve? If only Eve never called Sarah when they are back in New York. What if the marriage of the parents never collapse? What if Abby turn back when she can and not wait another day? If only Josh didn’t answer that particular phone call.

While literally, ‘The Divide’ is the name of the range where the Coopers family had their vacation the past few summers before their lives were changed forever. It’s also the place where everything begins and ends. I would also like to think that figurative , it also mean a family divided and perhaps even oneself divided - divided thoughts we go through and divided decisions we have to make in our lives –the what ifs and if only, and not just for the Coopers but lives in general.

Nicholas Evans is also the author of The Horse Whisperer, a novel that that was made into an award winning movie by Robert Redford. If you have watch or read The Horse Whisperer, then this book might evokes similar feelings within you – happy and sad..both at the same time.

I bought this from a book fair for only RM10 (US3.50) and it’s a new copy. Worth every dollar.

Highly recommended.

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