Synopsis
Swim At Your Own Risk is a contemporary twist to Dorothy in the land of Oz. The main character, Marta Mason, is a woman going through a midlife crisis. Her Oz becomes the beach town where she grew up. She secretly leaves her family under the guise of a business trip to return to the life of a single woman with responsibilities and stresses of daily life.
The reader begins to understand the frustrations of Marta's life in the opening chapter, the final passage in her diary. There her feelings are summed up in a forlorn, but poetic passage. The reader is first made aware of her pull to the ocean by her references of drowning and sharks. Including the novel's title, the ocean theme is reoccurring as Ms. Homan depicts a historical tale of Naples, Florida; a lazy beach town fast becoming an international resort. In a cyclone of growth the natural beauty and simple inhabitants also become victims.
Marta is stalked by a wicked witch in the form of Adam Cutler. Adam grew up in Naples and initially enchants her. His easy going charm heightens the prospect for Marta to live a life that is carefree and spontaneous. She takes the bait and falls into a scam with more than just potential for financial loss, she is running for her life. Throughout the story she meets characters that remind her of who she is and the real values of life. Ther story is crafted with an understated irony that Marta never seems to grasp as she walks the ocean's edge, her Yellow Brick Road. The escape she has chosen is her own childhood. It is the drive to make an idyllic life for her own family that is driving her crazy. The boredom she describes is really the fear of losing herself.
Just as with Dorothy in Oz, Marta learns that there is no place like home. But her attempt to leave her life was not a dream; it was a conscious decision. Could she reveal her mistakes, ask for forgiveness and merely wake up in her own backyard?
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Swim At Your Own Risk is the author's debut novel. The Author lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for Swim At Your Own Risk
Stock Image
Swim At Your Own Risk
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Brown Book Publisher (illustrator). Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_473544025