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giuliamrll's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book left me empty. It was incredibly pleasant to read, and while reading it I was more shocked with what was happening than painfully aware of the meaning of it all (dealing with a painfully unrequited love for 20+ years and how money can turn friends into the worst enemies). Then my excitement washed out and I was left with the painful realisation that money can really transform people, and destroy the strongest and most important relationships we have. It’s sad, but so true. As E.M. Forster said, “If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope to have the guts to betray my country”. But at what cost.
Notable quotes (in Italian):
“E cosa ne ha ricavato il nostro Thaddeus? Una vita a cercare di accontentare persone che non potranno mai essere accontentate. Questa è l'eredità che ha ricevuto. I nostri genitori ci dicono chi siamo. Lo fanno, anche se non se ne accorgono. Ci dicono chi siamo.“
Notable quotes (in Italian):
“E cosa ne ha ricavato il nostro Thaddeus? Una vita a cercare di accontentare persone che non potranno mai essere accontentate. Questa è l'eredità che ha ricevuto. I nostri genitori ci dicono chi siamo. Lo fanno, anche se non se ne accorgono. Ci dicono chi siamo.“
“Mi dispiace per lui, mi dispiace sinceramente. Era un bambino dolce, e non è stato trattato con dolcezza. Non lo hanno
malnutrito o picchiato, ma lo hanno tollerato. Una cosa tremenda. E adesso ne vediamo i risultati.”
chaos_goddess's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ilycrysel's review against another edition
4.0
An Ocean Without a Shore is legendary writer Scott Spencer’s latest novel. I had never read anything by him, but knew he was the author of Endless Love”.
This novel is actually a sort of sequel to one of Spencer’s previous books, River Under the Road, whose protagonist was Thaddeus Kauffman, the object of Kip Woods’ (the MP) obsession and love.
Kip is a closeted gay man that works for an investment company: he is well respected by his colleagues and his boss, loved by his family and by his few friends. One friend in particular, Thaddeus, holds a special place in his heart: ever since they were in college, they had been really close: but as Kip grew older, he wondered if this was more because Thaddeus needed to be adored, rather if he actually valued their friendship.
Although Kip had tried multiple times to confess his feelings to his friend, he could never do so in words: but would always be there in times of distress – like when he bought 10 acres of his property to get him somewhat on his feet, economically, or like when he went with him to deal with his mother’s will, after she died.
The unraveling of their friendship, which I still cannot really decode if it was based on selfishness or not, comes towards the end of the book.
I really enjoyed this novel, which I think is set slightly before 9/11, and continues after. I particularly found interesting the need for the MP to keep his sexuality hidden, although he excuses himself saying he was merely being private: effectively, he wants to be seen dating women, so no one can suspect that he is gay.
I found the writing very beautiful and smooth, and the narration easy to follow: I would find myself rooting for this unlikely pair, who, although “only” friends, definitely had an underlining narrative they were exploring, filled with things not said but definitely perceived. Thaddeus definitely teases Kip, suggesting they take trips together, and alluding to the emotional – and non – intimacy that lives between them.
I would’ve liked to have read River Under the Road before reading this, if only to understand Thaddeus’ character a bit better. Kip was a sort of a hero: a bit of a coward, but that would go to any lengths to help his love, and his family.
This novel is actually a sort of sequel to one of Spencer’s previous books, River Under the Road, whose protagonist was Thaddeus Kauffman, the object of Kip Woods’ (the MP) obsession and love.
Kip is a closeted gay man that works for an investment company: he is well respected by his colleagues and his boss, loved by his family and by his few friends. One friend in particular, Thaddeus, holds a special place in his heart: ever since they were in college, they had been really close: but as Kip grew older, he wondered if this was more because Thaddeus needed to be adored, rather if he actually valued their friendship.
Although Kip had tried multiple times to confess his feelings to his friend, he could never do so in words: but would always be there in times of distress – like when he bought 10 acres of his property to get him somewhat on his feet, economically, or like when he went with him to deal with his mother’s will, after she died.
The unraveling of their friendship, which I still cannot really decode if it was based on selfishness or not, comes towards the end of the book.
I really enjoyed this novel, which I think is set slightly before 9/11, and continues after. I particularly found interesting the need for the MP to keep his sexuality hidden, although he excuses himself saying he was merely being private: effectively, he wants to be seen dating women, so no one can suspect that he is gay.
I found the writing very beautiful and smooth, and the narration easy to follow: I would find myself rooting for this unlikely pair, who, although “only” friends, definitely had an underlining narrative they were exploring, filled with things not said but definitely perceived. Thaddeus definitely teases Kip, suggesting they take trips together, and alluding to the emotional – and non – intimacy that lives between them.
I would’ve liked to have read River Under the Road before reading this, if only to understand Thaddeus’ character a bit better. Kip was a sort of a hero: a bit of a coward, but that would go to any lengths to help his love, and his family.
emanuela_'s review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lillylilla's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Read in prepub. due out June 2020. I'm so used to reading female friendship drama books that Spencer's story of male friendship drama felt like a breath of fresh air. The story kept you guessing about what exactly Kip did, and you hoped that it was something awful to Thaddeus because he was the worst.
Recommended for reader who like friendship drama.
Recommended for reader who like friendship drama.
gaiareadingbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Poche letture mi hanno fatto provare ciò che provo leggendo Scott Spencer. La sua scrittura avvolgente e struggente riesce a costruire impalcature che mi rapiscono, anche quando, come in questo caso, non portando ad altro che a una catarsi strozzata. Una redenzione mutilata.
Spencer è pericoloso perché i suoi personaggi, qui così come in Un amore senza fine e in Una nave di carta, sono ossessionati, deliranti, lacerati, autodistruttivi. Ma il pericolo si cela nella loro umanità. Possono essere solo compatiti dal lettore che li osserva muovere i passi su quel sentiero di dolore che sono stati i primi a tracciare. Ma accanto a quel sentiero ne esiste un altro, parallelo e profondo, quello che l’autore traccia nella mente e nell’anima di questi personaggi, e che spinge il lettore a mettersi in discussione davanti alle azioni che compiono, soprattutto davanti a quelle più riprovevoli.
Come si fa a non provare compassione per Kip? Distrutto da anni di vita nell’ombra, di amore distante, di felicità negata, non può far altro che autoesiliarsi da quel paradiso che ha sempre temuto. È costretto a liberare se stesso dalle catene della sua ossessione, e non può far altro che cedere a un impulso violento per assicurarsi un daspo eterno che lo tenga lontano dai luoghi contaminati dall’oggetto della sua (in)felicità.
Una lettura avvolgente e disarmante, come il ricordo malinconico delle possibilità di un amore mai nato.
Spencer è pericoloso perché i suoi personaggi, qui così come in Un amore senza fine e in Una nave di carta, sono ossessionati, deliranti, lacerati, autodistruttivi. Ma il pericolo si cela nella loro umanità. Possono essere solo compatiti dal lettore che li osserva muovere i passi su quel sentiero di dolore che sono stati i primi a tracciare. Ma accanto a quel sentiero ne esiste un altro, parallelo e profondo, quello che l’autore traccia nella mente e nell’anima di questi personaggi, e che spinge il lettore a mettersi in discussione davanti alle azioni che compiono, soprattutto davanti a quelle più riprovevoli.
Una lettura avvolgente e disarmante, come il ricordo malinconico delle possibilità di un amore mai nato.
tinamayreads's review against another edition
4.0
AN OCEAN WITHOUT A SHORE by Scott Spencer is a heartbreaking novel about a man, Kip, and his unrequited love for his best friend. This story is told in a flashback and I was kept guessing until the very end. Even though this book deals with some heavy issues such as love, loss and heartbreak I especially loved the humour throughout. There were some really funny lines that made me laugh out loud. I also loved that each chapter title was expertly named. It was really a pleasure to read this book.
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Thank you to NetGalley & Ecco Books for this advance reader’s e-proof!
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Thank you to NetGalley & Ecco Books for this advance reader’s e-proof!
osc20's review against another edition
2.0
There wasn’t really a plot, which would have been fine had there been more character development
I really wanted to root for Kip, but his character was sort of pathetic. Even after acknowledging all of Thaddeus’ toxic traits, he doesn’t know how to NOT love him. At times I felt sorry for Kip, but then remembered that this unrequited love had been going on for 30 years!!
I really wanted to root for Kip, but his character was sort of pathetic. Even after acknowledging all of Thaddeus’ toxic traits, he doesn’t know how to NOT love him. At times I felt sorry for Kip, but then remembered that this unrequited love had been going on for 30 years!!