Submergence |
Submergence is one of those books that I am not sure exactly how it made its way onto my On Reserve list. Perhaps an article or a mention in another book. Who knows. Wherever it came from, I am so grateful it crossed my path.
The novel, a highly non-linear piece, follows two very different lives. In one subplot, a British secret agent is captured by Somali terrorists. Meanwhile, an oceanographer studies the hadalpelagic zone of the ocean and prepares to visit these deepest, darkest places in a submarine. The two are connected by a few days shared at a French hotel for Christmas past.
The title applies most obviously to the oceanographer. Her deep sea studies require submergence in the most basic form. The word applies to the other two stories as well, though. The captured intelligence officer is submerged in the desert culture of Somali jihadists. He may as well be on the bottom of the ocean for as much freedom and chance of escape he has. While both the protaganists are enveloped in their unique circumstances, they each recall back to the snowy days spent together on the French coast. For those brief days, they were submerged in each other and in the isolated setting.
Submergence is a book where it takes a while to catch on to exactly what is happening. Thankfully, I do not mind that. I kind of like the challenge of jumping into the middle of things and sorting out the details - at least within reason and if the book is well written. Ledgard meets both of those expectations.
Submergence is a book where it takes a while to catch on to exactly what is happening. Thankfully, I do not mind that. I kind of like the challenge of jumping into the middle of things and sorting out the details - at least within reason and if the book is well written. Ledgard meets both of those expectations.