Mercy of the Elements by Christopher Blehm

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covediver

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Location
Alaska
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I just don't log dives
I read nearly everything related to scuba diving, particularly fiction, primarily action-adventure novels. Most of these works entertain, earning the praise of “a good read.” The well-written works end up on my bookshelf and get reread over time; the also rans quickly get traded in at the used book store. Until a few weeks ago, one book among the dozens really stood out featuring great writing, solid character development, interesting narrative and a fast-paced and complex plot. Oh yeah, it also involves lots of diving, succinctly described and accurately portrayed. The long out of print paperback, Jacob’s Well, by Stephen Harrigan occupies a central location on the top shelf of my bookcase. It is about to be joined in joint tenancy of that space by Mercy of the Elements by Christopher Blehm.

I discovered “Mercy” looking over the description of recently published scuba diving books on Amazon. The blurb on the site described a somewhat mystical story involving two women centuries apart. I recalled a high school English teacher once telling me that most males cannot write accurately about a female character and vice-versa. So rather than order it immediately, I tagged it for my list to be ordered later in order to save on shipping. At the LA Scuba Show a couple of weeks ago, I had a chance encounter with the author, Christopher Blehm. We spoke about one of two subplots in the book, the plundering of a Manila Galleon by two English ships under the command of Thomas Cavendish. I mentioned that Manila galleons are a particular interest of mine as I had worked as a maritime historian and skeptically checked into a 1970s expedition to Point Bennett on San Miguel Island which claims to have found indications of a wrecked ship from that era. The mysteries of wrecks, especially colonial era vessels, make for great story telling and the California islands are chalk full of such stories. Recently, a number of novels have come out involving the old wrecks in the Southern California area, most notably Sunken Dreams and Sunken Graves by Otto Gasser and When the Killing’s Done by TC Boyle. Fiction feature Socal wrecks and maritime history have been notably absent from the bookshelves. No more.

Blehm’s novel is set on Catalina Island. Anyone who has more than a cursory knowledge of the island will recognize the places and characters of Avalon and the dive spots on the island. Those who do not will quickly be drawn to the locale. I especially liked his observations of the divers lined up at Casino Point; a great locale to observe divers and instructors in their natural habitat. On my several trips to Catalina, I have participated in this spectator sport that is more than just people watching more akin to exercising the global awareness and sixth sense about other’s abilities that experienced divers develop. It’s the same as a lifeguard automatically starts scanning water standing at the water’s edge, whether on duty or not.

The novel combines action with a mystery wrapped in mysticism that provides an exotic draw into the story for the reader without overwhelming the plot. Subplots, one modern and one historical develop in parallel, precisely fusing together at the appropriate points while maintaining flow and authenticity.

Blehm’s taut prose accurately captures the feel of the dive. For example, he really captures the experience of a lead diver whose buddy has gone missing. “No feeling of emptiness compares to that of a diver looking after another who looks back to discover their charge has disappeared. It can happen in an instant, and the feeling stays forever.”

The novel's protagonist, Mercy, maintains a kind of honorable if somewhat flawed dignity in the face of adversity. Her dive adventures and life tribulations are at once thrilling and in the same instant tragic. At the end of the story, we are left on the edge wanting resolution while hoping it is not revealed. “Mercy of the Elements” denotes both the fate of one person left to a sea that is not forgiving of mistakes or human nature and a sanctity and saintliness of one who is part of the sea.
 
Nice to read your review of Chris' book. I plan to write mine, perhaps tag it to this thread. The ending was the only "unsatisfying" part of Chris' work... it came together well but much too quickly for my island-paced mind, and there was the feeling of being left hanging a bit. Chris gave me a ride home the other day and I asked him if he planned a sequel. His answer was "yes" and that explained why I was left feeling that way. I'll definitely read the sequel!

Fortunately no character in Chris' book resembles me (at least that I can tell!).
 
I look forward to your review. I, too, want the sequel to come out and the mystery to be solved. Not too soon. I can see this book becoming the subject of book discussion groups as it has mystery, symbolism, an independent woman, mysticism, religion, etc. All the good stuff we are supposed to avoid in polite conversation but that are the fodder of book discussion groups. Chris had asked me if I knew the island well. I indicated that outside of Avalon, I did not. I am more of an officianado of the northern islands. I do recall the great diving at the Casino, the Bayview and attempts to restore it to its former squalor, pool at the Chi-chi club, and singing ABBA's "Dancing Queen" with visiting Scandinavian divers at Antonio's on the Beach after an evening of pizza and beer capping a day of diving. I also know the haunting sorrow of losing a friend to a diving accident in the confines of Casino Point. So I recognize the setting of the novel.
 
COVEDIVER
Why fiction?

I find it entertaining and relaxing after a day of working on technical and environmental analyses. Plus, it is rare or at least tends to run in cycles. Gave Cussler up years ago as the novels got too formulaic and the attention to historical detail started to erode, something he was a stickler for. I also read a lot of maritime history, some of it related to diving and treasure hunting. There are a few good biographies related to watermen and divers, but not too many. non-fiction dive books tend to get repetitive but I read most of them anyway or at least look at them.
 
I understand=
My wife is the same way, she reads fiction to allow her brain to "turn to mush" after a very difficult day at the office.
I no longer have dificult days at the office so I need something of substance.

sdm
 
Good fiction doesn't turn one's brain to mush. I've read a number of books that get the gray matter functioning at a pretty high level... although I've also read (or at least started) a number that fail miserably.
 
Thanks covediver, I'm always on the look out for an interesting read.

For me, I find good writing, regardless of whether its fiction or nonfiction, is probably the closest I'll ever get to meditation (as I understand it). I'm totally focused and in the moment. When I'm done reading I feel a higher level of mental clarity, less stressd, and maybe slightly more energized than when I started.

I don't think Sam Millers or Dr Bills points are mutually exclusive. Similiar to Sam wife, the demands of my job (technical and otherwise) sometimes tend to make me want to pursue an "easy" read versus more a "difficult" book.

My terms easy and difficult are entirely subjective and have no connotations regarding the value of the work. A book can be fiction, with a complex plot, and be an easy read if well crafted. A nonfiction book on a topic I have a great deal of knowledge and interest in can be a difficult read if its not written well.

and as is evident from this post, I'm not a skilled writer, so I'll shut up now:):D
 
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