- Audio Cassette
- Publisher: Listening Library; Abridged edition (Jan 22 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0807206857
- ISBN-13: 978-0807206850
- Product Dimensions: 18.3 x 11.7 x 3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 141 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#32,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4 in Books > Audiobooks > Children's Books > Fiction
- #4 in Books > Children's Books > Audiobooks > Cassette > Fiction
- #7 in Books > Audiobooks > Children's Books > General
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
It was only a slap. Well, maybe more than one. And maybe Nick used his fist at the end when the anger got out of control. But his girlfriend Caitlin deserved it--hadn't she defied him by singing in the school talent show when he had forbidden her to display herself like that? Even though he'd told her that everybody would laugh at her because she couldn't sing and was a fat slob? Both were lies. Because Caitlin was so beautiful, the only person who understood him. Out of his desperate need for her came all the mean words and the hitting. But now Caitlin's family has procured a restraining order to keep Nick away, and the judge has sentenced him to Mario Ortega's Family Violence class, to sit around every week with six other angry guys who hit their girlfriends. And to write a journal explaining how he got into this mess.
Other teen novels--most strikingly Dreamland by Sarah Dessen--have shown dating violence from the point of view of a young girl trapped in an abusive relationship, but in Breathing Underwater, first-time novelist Alex Flinn tackles the difficult task of making us understand, if not sympathize with, the motivation of a violent young man. The story, like Rob Thomas's stylistically similar Rats Saw God, proceeds in two different time frames: the journal in which Nick relives the course of his tender but stormy love affair with Caitlin and the time after the restraining order, in which a desperate and friendless Nick struggles to understand and overcome his anger. This extraordinarily moving novel is highly relevant reading for all young men in our violence-prone society. (Ages 13 and older) --Patty Campbell --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
"Ever feel like you're breathing underwater, and you have to stop because you're gulping in too much fluid?" For 16-year-old Nick Andreas, these words from his violence counselor ring true. While his classmates think of him as rich, popular and perfect, they don't know the truth about his turbulent home life with an abusive father. As Flinn's first novel opens, Nick finds himself in court, facing a restraining order by his girlfriend, Caitlin. He is sentenced to six months of counseling and to write 500 words per week in a journal, explaining what happened from the day he met Caitlin to the present. Set in Miami and told in a split narrative, the novel juxtaposes Nick's journal entries about his past relationship with Caitlin alongside the current challenges of going back to school with his friends turned against him, his counseling sessions and life with his father. Gradually, he begins to recognize his own responsibility in how events played out ("Somehow, when I see it on paper, it becomes more real than when it's just in my head"). The correlation between Nick's controlling behavior and his father's abuse is subtle but effective. Caitlin's insecurity, borne of self-image problems due to a previous weight problem and her beautiful mother's badgering, is also credibly rendered. The ending scene with Nick's best friend rings a bit hollow, but as Nick's past comes to light, both the circumstances and his owning up to his actions carry heavy emotional weight in this gripping tale. Ages 13-up.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,
By QUEEN_OF_EVERYTHING (Outside Philly) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Breathing Underwater (Paperback)
Nick Andreas is one of the few blessed members of his high school elite on Key Biscayne. He is smart, rich, good-looking, and insanely popular. Come the first day of sophomore year, he arrives in style, driving the brand new car he just received for his 16th birthday. Almost immediately, he notices her, a beautiful blonde. Caitlin Alyssa McCourt. She's ethereal, almost delicate looking. Her airy appearance separates her from the rest of the pretty girls. She wears a slipdress and pearl earrings while the rest of them wear diamond studs and jeans. Immediately, Nick wants her. "That's Caitlin McCourt. She went to fat camp over the summer," Nick's best friend since kindergarten, Tom, says. Now, 35 pounds lighter, she's transformed into a different person. At first shy and fearing rejection, Nick musters up his courage and asks her if she wants a ride home after school. She accepts his invitation. Their relationship blossoms in a matter of two months. Nick loves Caitlin - or so he believes. And Caitlin loves Nick. Being a former fat girl, many insecurities still seem to be present in her - she fears Nick will leave her and doesn't believe she can find better. Nick starts out loving, gentle, and protecting. Then he turns angry, frustrated, and doubly insecure, as well as immensely overbearing and cruel. The first time he slaps her, he woos her back with a gift and apologizes profusely. All is forgiven. It isn't that way the second time. The second time, Nick goes too far. He believes he is the only one who deserves power over Caitlin and when she defies him by singing in the school's talent show, things turn hideous, but perhaps even more so on Nick's part. We watch as he loses every single high school friend he has. We watch as anger management sessions open his eyes. We watch as a wiser Caitlin McCourt is finally able to reject her first and former boyfriend. Nick's crew, as well as the entire school, knows of Nick's ways, which is why they can barely stand to look at him. Everyone sides with Caitlin. But Nick has kept a dark secret from everyone EXCEPT Caitlin, including Tom, who, prior to Nick's incident involving Caitlin, thought he knew his best buddy inside and out. Nick's father is just like him: good looks, brains, charm. And an ugly, ugly temper that often turns violent. Will Tom find out that while Caitlin was hurting, so was his so-called best friend? Or will Nick be too embarrased to open his mouth? Read and see. Alex Flinn's first novel fits a cliche, yet strays from their use, thankfully. She's written a story that is realistic and artfully depicts and pieces together the mind of an abuser. At times, I found myself hating Nick Andreas with a passion. Other times, I felt sorry for him. Either way, the novel ends on a note neither completely happy nor a downer, and it manages to stay away from being overly sappy and sentimental throughout. It flows nicely and, for a first effort, is quite well done.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Breathing Underwater,
By Keri (Chicago,Illinois) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Breathing Underwater (Paperback)
At the beginning of the book we meet the main character, Nick Andres. He's sitting in a courtroom and wondering why he is here. To everyone Nick has the perfect life .He's rich, good looking and has his first real girlfriend. The trouble starts when Nick starts going out with Caitlin. He experiences jealously and starts to develop an abusive mind. He hits her and has to attend anger management class.The way the author tells the story is pretty cool. We read what Nick has to go through after he hit his girlfriend and we get to read his journal that tells what happened before he slapped her. All in all this was a good read.I recommend this to anyone who likes a lot of drama. This book will keep your attention until the very last page.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Breathing Underwater,
By Rose (Orland Hills, IL USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Breathing Underwater (Paperback)
This is a book that is sure to capture your attention. It is about a sixteen year old boy and his hidden struggles. His father is rich but yet a poor and abusive father. His mother left him at a young age with nobody to save him from his violent father. He then finds the love of his life, a girl named Caitlin. While his love for he grows so does his fear of losing her. He begins to become very controlling. He ends up slapping her which results to their relationships dismise.I found this book to be very interesting and it captivated my attention. I think that you will enjoy reading this book and encourage it. This story tells you of the good things and bad things of relationships that you might be able to relate to.
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