Title: The Deep
Author: Helen Dunmore
First published May 1, 2007
329 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780007204915 (ISBN10: 0007204914)
Rating: 4
Overview
In The Touch of Twilight, Joanna Archer is a woman with a destiny she never wanted, but cannot escape. She lives in two worlds: the glitzy Las Vegas society and a dangerous realm of Light and Shadow.
As an Avenger, Savior, and Destroyer, Joanna has accepted her role in the eternal battle between good and evil. However, a sinister doppleganger from another dimension is stalking her, and Joanna can feel the Light fading.
Her ultimate challenge awaits as she faces her father, the dark lord of Shadow. Joanna must embrace the darkness within her and gamble everything to save her friends, her future, and her worlds.
Will she win big or lose it all in this thrilling urban fantasy?
About the Author
I was born in Yorkshire in December of 1952, and was the second of four children. Growing up in a large family, I was constantly surrounded by stories and learned early on that the same story could hold different meanings for different people.
Poetry became an important part of my life from a young age, and I began by memorizing and reciting rhymes, hymns, and ballads. Eventually, I began writing my own poems and even published my first collection, The Apple Fall, while teaching English as a foreign language in Finland after graduating from the University of York.
Over the years, I published several poetry collections and wrote short stories, many of which were later compiled in Love of Fat Men. I also traveled extensively, both in the UK and abroad, giving poetry readings and workshops in various settings.
I also reviewed poetry and fiction for various publications, including The Observer, The Times, and The Guardian. In addition to my creative writing, I taught poetry and creative writing at various institutions, including the University of Glamorgan and the Open College of the Arts.
My career in fiction began with short stories in the late 1980s, which eventually led to my first novels. Going to Egypt, my first novel for children, was published in 1992, and my first adult novel, Zennor in Darkness, followed in 1993, winning the McKitterick Prize.
A Spell of Winter, my third novel, won the inaugural Orange Prize for Fiction in 1996, and since then I’ve continued to publish a range of novels, short story collections, and children’s books.
Many of my novels are heavily researched, drawing on my lifelong interest in Russian history and culture, as seen in The Siege, which was shortlisted for both the Whitbread Novel Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction. House of Orphans and Counting the Stars are other examples of my historical fiction, with the latter focusing on the Roman poet Catullus.
Editoral Review
Helen Dunmore’s The Deep is a hauntingly beautiful novel that explores the complexities of love, grief, and the enduring power of memory. Set in the 1950s, the novel is a work of historical fiction that vividly evokes the post-war era in Britain, capturing both the optimism and the anxieties of the time.
The novel follows the story of Kate and her younger sister, Lily, who have fled London to live in the small coastal town where they spent their childhood summers. Kate, who is mourning the loss of her husband in the war, is haunted by his memory, while Lily struggles with her own feelings of guilt and shame.
When they discover a mysterious stranger washed up on the beach, their lives are forever changed, and they are forced to confront the dark secrets of their past. Dunmore’s writing is lyrical and evocative, capturing the beauty of the coastal landscape and the emotional depths of her characters.
She is a master of character development, and Kate and Lily are fully realized and deeply sympathetic protagonists. The novel’s pacing is deliberate and measured, building tension and suspense as the mystery of the stranger’s identity unfolds.
Thematically, The Deep explores the trauma of war and the way in which it shapes our lives and relationships. It also touches on issues of class, gender, and sexual identity, offering a nuanced critique of the social mores of the time.
While the novel is certainly a work of literary fiction, it is also a page-turner, full of twists and turns that will keep readers engaged until the very end. The Deep is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page.
That being said, the book does have some minor flaws. At times, the pacing can feel slow, and some readers may find the plot too predictable.
Additionally, while Dunmore’s prose is gorgeous, it can occasionally veer towards the melodramatic. Overall, however, The Deep is a stunning achievement and a must-read for fans of literary fiction.
It is a book that will stay with readers long after they finish it, provoking thought and reflection on issues of love, loss, and the power of memory. I would highly recommend The Deep to anyone looking for a beautifully crafted novel that explores the mysteries of the human heart.
Its themes are timeless, and its writing is simply breathtaking. I give The Deep a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
