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From a compelling new voice in women's fiction comes a haunting novel about a wife and mother moving beyond loss and rediscovering love.
Psychologist Abby Cohen is still reeling from the loss of her beloved daughter when another young girl arrives in her life-twelve-year-old Miranda, who appears at Abby's hospital mute, terrified, and completely alone. In her struggle to connect with this deeply disturbed child and unravel the mystery of her past, Abby must grapple with her own frozen self.
Numbed by grief and on the verge of losing her relationship with both her husband and little boy, Abby finds herself tempted to leave behind what is left of the family she once cherished. But something about Miranda and the bond that has begun to form between them awakens Abby's capacity to feel, and reminds her of the power-and the limits-of love.
Anonymous
Posted March 29, 2005
Abby is dealing with alot. She lost her daughter to cancer and is now trying to cope with her job and home life. She struggles with her son and husband. It's almost as if she's a child sturggling to deal with life. It's almost as if she doesn't know what she wants. She wants to be a good mother and wife but all she see's is the pain from losing the daughter a few years prior. I have not lost a child so it seemed hard to feel for this character. Some of the choices she makes isn't what I think a normal person would choose. But again, I have not lost a child so I suppose I can't say what I'd do. The book was over as quick as it started. I didn't feel as though I got to know Miranda the way I would have liked. I felt sorry for this character but didn't feel a bond with the character either. I wanted in to Miranda's head. But, so did everyone else! The ocean and the end seemed alright I suppose. I did think it was a little odd to take her son out so far in the ocean assuming she could 'hang on to him.' What parent does this? So that seemed a little far fetched to me. It's one thing to be in the ocean playing but another to take a child past the waves. So, overall I think it was an ok story. I didn't connect with this like I have done with other books so I didn't rate it as strong.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Though two years have passed since her daughter Sarah died, psychologist Abby Cohen remains in mourning. Her four year old son Ben has noticed how his mom is distant to him so he always turns to his father Michael for comforting and parenting.--- Twelve years old Miranda is found wandering in horror the streets of Manhattan. Barely able to respond to inquiries, Miranda is taken to St. Ann¿s Hospital where Abby takes charge of her. A few weeks later, Miranda¿s ¿daddy¿ surfaces; Jack Reynolds has been worried about his missing daughter who never leaves their home out of fear of the snakes. His search for his daughter finally succeeds when he finds her at St. Ann¿s. As Abbey challenges Jack in court over the welfare of Miranda, the psychologist begins to connect with her own family as she finally starts to move past grieving for her deceased child. However, the biological father has everything going for him in court so all Abby can do is pray for a miracle for this young girl.--- BEYOND THE WAVES is an insightful look at grieving, which is an individual process regardless of whose the person is. Abby is a terrific center of the tale as she struggles with showing her love to her family following the death of her daughter. However, it is the relationship with Miranda that makes the tale unique as the young retarded girl has lived a sheltered life until the hospital stay opens her eyes. Though the ending is too convenient and seemingly out of character for a key player, readers will appreciate this perceptive look at mental health.--- Harriet Klausner
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Overview
From a compelling new voice in women's fiction comes a haunting novel about a wife and mother moving beyond loss and rediscovering love.
Psychologist Abby Cohen is still reeling from the loss of her beloved daughter when another young girl arrives in her life-twelve-year-old Miranda, who appears at Abby's hospital mute, terrified, and completely alone. In her struggle to connect with this deeply disturbed child and unravel the mystery of her ...