The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water - A Novel

Erin Bartels

Publisher: Revell

Summary

The best fiction simply tells the truth.  
But the truth is never simple. 
 
When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather's old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend's brother--and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book. If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter's claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book. 
 
But what she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. While facing Tyler isn't easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she's ever had to do.  
 
Plumb the depths of the human heart with this emotional exploration of how a friendship dies, how we can face the unforgivable, and how even those who have been hurt can learn to love with abandon. 
 
 
Praise for the novels of Erin Bartels 
 
"Bartels proves herself a master wordsmith and storyteller."--Library Journal starred review of All That We Carried 
 
"A story of love found in the written word and love found because of the written word."--Booklist on The Words between Us 
 
"A deeply moving story of heartbreak, long-held secrets, and the bonds of family."--Publishers Weekly starred review of We Hope for Better Things

Available since: 01/04/2022.

Contemporary Fiction

2 Comments

24symbols EN

We fell in love with Erin Bartels’ prose when reading ALL THAT WE CARRIED last year and could not wait to dive into THE GIRL WHO COULD BREATHE UNDER WATER as soon as it hit our shelves. Just as in her previous novels, Bartels examines the relationship between people and with oneself. By doing so, she develops complex characters that undergo a massive change throughout the book. It is clearly important for Bartels to show the different sides of each story and the bias of memories.

Kendra has just published her first novel and is trying to come to terms with a letter from a “disappointed reader”. She returns to the lake where her book took place to confirm her recollection of events but she will come to realize that her perspective is only a small fraction of a bigger truth. While at times Kendra may seem a bit too analytic about her own feelings, one should not forget that she is a writer and has always been prone to observing everything around her. Being able to watch her grow as a person as well as a writer is highly rewarding.

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24symbols EN

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About the author

Erin Bartels

Erin Bartels is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things (2020 Michigan Notable Book, 2020 WFWA Star Award-winner, 2019 Christy Award finalist) and The Words between Us (2020 Christy...

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