The dive from clausens pier by ann packer reading guide. Dive deep into ann packers the dive from clausens pier with extended analysis, commentary, and discussion weve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for covid19 reliefjoin now. This is the discussion guide for the dive from clausen s pier by ann packer. The dive from clausens pier by ann packer the dive from. Envision an inverted version of the dive from clausen s pier written from mikes point of view in which carrie had been the one to have had the accident. About the dive from clausens pier the dive from clausens pier is one of those small miracles that reinforce our faith in fiction.
Feb 02, 2004 packer is able to develop an engaging story without compromising the eloquent writing for which her short stories are renowned. About the author ann packer received the great lakes book award for the dive from clausen s pier, which was a national bestseller. Sep 26, 2002 as interesting as the idea for the dive from clausens pier iswoman leaves her fiance after he breaks his neck and becomes a quadriplegicpacker cant quite pull it off. Packer writes with a rare density of detail and ideas, and its just possible that the reader will be wiser at the end of the book than she was at the beginning. It begins with a disaster that could happen, out of the blue, in anybodys life, and it forces us to ask how we would bear up in the face of tragedy and what we know, or think we know, about our deepest allegiances. The dive from clausens pier opens with an immediate tragedy to draw readers in to the story. Carrie bell has been having major second thoughts about her engagement to mike mayer, but has been lazily trying to anticipate what will happen rather than actively discussing her fears and worries with mike. The dive from clausens pier by ann packer discussion. Even before the accident, her feelings for mike were slipping. Pdf the dive from clausens pier book by ann packer free.
When an accident renders her fiance a quadriplegic, carrie faces mounting pressures that ultimately cause her to start a new life in new york. Mike age 23 breaks his neck and becomes a quadriplegic. Mendocino and other stories centers on the abrupt and unsettling changes in the lives of various thirtysomethingyearold men and women. The first edition of the novel was published in 2002, and was written by ann packer. Envision an inverted version of the dive from clausens pier written from mikes point of view in which carrie had been the one to have had the. The dive from clausens pier was a grownup lurlene mcdaniel novelette. At the start of this quietly engrossing debut novel, twentythreeyearold carrie bell is tiring of her stalled life in madison, wisconsin, and her. Although, the accident isnt the real reason she leaves. The dive from clausens pier by ann packer goodreads.
The dive from clausens pier book the kansas city public. The dive from clausens pier i could kill the author. The dive from clausens pier is one of those small miracles that reinforce our faith in fiction. Having read and loved the dive from clausen s pier, i couldnt wait to read another ann packer book.
At turns enigmatic and candid, this absorbing story challenges us to look inward and to ask discomfiting questions about our relationships, our priorities. Mount prospect public library book discussion questions. These questions lie at the heart of ann packers intimate and emotionally thrilling new novel, which has won its author comparisons with jane hamilton and sue. Did she need kilroy in order to have something other than. The dive from clausens pier is the story of carrie, a young woman who takes off to new york after her fiance, mike mayor, is paralyzed in a diving accident. The dive from clausens pier, by ann packer, tells the story of carrie bell, a twentythree year old woman who is engaged to her high school sweetheart. The new york times bestseller about a family in crisis and a friendship pushed to the breaking point. These book discussion questions are highly detailed and will ruin plot points if you have not read the book. Apr 01, 2001 the dive from clausen s pier by ann packer. It does what the best novels so often do, making the largest things visible by its perfect rendering of life on the smaller scale. A new york times bestsellersuffocated by her unexceptional life, carrie bell longs for a chance to begin again, and is granted that chance, terribly, when her fiance is injured in an accident. Ann packer books list of books by author ann packer thriftbooks. Theme photo credit im a very avid reader, though i do suffer from the gogogo mentality of the rest of nationworld, meaning i dont take as much time as i should to enjoy the things i like, such as reading. Ten years in the writing, ann packers debut novel the critically acclaimed the dive from clausens pier was well worth the wait.
Does carrie see her answer differently at the end of the novel. The dive from clausens pier is the bestselling debut novel of american author ann packer. Ann packers provocative debut novel, the dive from clausens pier, portrays one young womans conflict between her commitment to the people in her life and of her duty to be true to herself. As interesting as the idea for the dive from clausens pier iswoman leaves her fiance after he breaks his neck and becomes a quadriplegicpacker cant quite pull it off. Free download or read online the dive from clausens pier pdf epub book. Putting this aside, a dive from clausens pier is a thought provoking first novel recommended to many women. Books like little children include the dive from clausen s pier, the abstinence teacher, the history of love, the wonder spot, the patron saint of liars. The dive from clausens pier is a mustread novel that illuminates the meaning of friendship, loyalty and unconditional love. Jun, 2002 june, 2002 ann packers debut novel, the dive from clausen s pier explores how tragedy can create everlasting changes in ones life. Mike is a quadriplegic after suffering a major diving accident. Ann packer quotes author of the dive from clausens pier.
The dive from clausens pier by ann packer book club. The dive from clausen s pier setting ann packer this study guide consists of approximately 42 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the dive from clausen s pier. What metaphoric images does the title conjure up for the reader before and after reading the novel. At the age of twentythree carrie bell has spent her entire life in wisconsin, with the same best friend and the same dependable, easygoing. Guilt trip the new york times breaking news, us news. I love the selfactualization literary work this author falls under. The dive from clausen s pier has an affinity with the work of rosellen brown. Jan, 2008 songs without words, ann packers followup novel to the book club favorite bestseller the dive from clausen s pier, once again showcases the many strengths packer possesses as a writer. The last scene of the novel returns the characters to clausens reservoir, at picnic point, the place where mike took his fateful dive. Now, in her longawaited second novel, she takes us on a journey into a lifelong friendship pushed to the breaking point. Ann packer is a author that trumps the best books ever produced for todays competitive market.
This is a riveting novel about selfknowledge and the conflict between who we want to be to others and who we must be for ourselves. The water level is too low and he is taken to hospital in a coma, with a bro. See full summary, good boy mike mayer is looking at a. I read the novel the dive from clausens pier and found it to be.
The dive from clausens pier by ann packer discussion guide. I am glad that i stumbled upon this great collection of short stories. The dive from clausens pier by ann packer penguin random. This article appeared in the february 2, 2004 issue of the hatchet. The dive from clausens pier reminds us how precarious our lives are and how quickly they can be divided into before and after, whether by random accident or by the force of our own desires. Liz and sarabeth were childhood neighbors in the suburbs of northern california, brought as close as sisters by the suicide of sarabeths mother when the girls. Find books like the dive from clausens pier from the worlds largest community. The dive from clausens pier animates this dilemmaand carries startling response to itwith the narrative assurance, exacting realism, and moral complexity we expect from the very best fiction. The dive from clausens pier is a 2005 lifetime original film based on an ann packer novel directed by harry winer and starring will estes, michelle trachtenberg, and sean maher. With a keen and compassionate eye, she lays bare the nature of female friendships. Cover of swimming cover of broken for you cover of my sisters keeper.
A whole book of things, an entire encyclopedia, a volume that i tried and tried to fill at the mayers p. The dive from clausens pier tv movie 2005 the dive from. Reading guide for the dive from clausens pier by ann packer. What does this exercise reveal about their relationship and carries character. The main characters of this fiction, contemporary story are carrie bell. At turns enigmatic and candid, this absorbing story challenges us to look inward and to ask discomfiting questions about our relationships, our priorities, and our selflessness for which.
He is comatose for a period of time and, when he awakens, it is discovered that he is paralyzed. Melodrama, based on the novel by ann packer, with michelle trachtenberg, will estes, sean maher. Packers engrossing debut novel begins without ostentation. It does what the best novels so often do, making the largest things. The title of the dive from clausens pier relates to a dive into water that carries fiance mike makes in the opening chapter of this book. As a result of this dive, he breaks his neck and becomes paralyzed. Aug 06, 2003 ok so this is not earthshattering, but i just finished the dive from clausen s pier by ann packer and i am so irritated i would never have bothered with this stupid book had i known it would end this way. Does carries opinion on this topic change by the novels end. The story begins with a group of close friends from small. She does what she feels she has to, to find happiness. The dive from clausen s pier by ann packer why you should read it. The dive from clausens pier ann packer, 2002 random house 432 pp.
Mike, showing off for his somewhat disgruntled fiancee carrie, dives into some water and seriously injures himself. Carrie bell has been thinking, for a long time, of how her longtime relationship with fiance mike mayer is wilting away. With michelle trachtenberg, sean maher, will estes, kristin fairlie. Four pages into her first novel, a 23 yearold boy dives into shallow water, crushing his neck and. His fiancee, carrie, is not in love with him anymore and is. The dive from clausens pier has an affinity with the work of rosellen brown. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. While mike literally dives from clausen s pier, who figuratively dives from clausen s pier. Knopf told through first person narration, the novel centers on carrie bells response to her fiances paralysis and through her reactions, questions the obligations and loyalty people have to those in their life. As everyone has noticed her withdrawal from mike, mike decides to win back her attention by taking a daring dive off of the pier into the shallow waters below. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 432 pages and is available in paperback format. The story had merit, the writing was good, but the ending was utterly incomprehensible to me. The dive from clausens pier twenty three year old carrie bell.
It premiered on july 25, 2005 on lifetime mike is a quadriplegic after suffering a major diving accident. On memorial day, carrie bell and her fiance, mike mayer, drive out to clausen s pier for their annual ritual, a picnic with. The dive from clausens pier tv movie 2005 the dive. Pier 21 stories from near and far canadian immigration nacfe. About this guide ann packers provocative debut novel, the dive from clausens pier, portrays one young womans conflict between her commitment to the people in her life and of her duty to be true to herself. Someone in the book either had cancer, was dying, or was just killed and i sobbed from the beginning of the book to the end. Unhappy in the relationship, she is considering ending it when her fiance mike dives off clausens pier into shallow water and breaks his neck. Review pier leaps into deep end, does belly flop sfgate. This book is also to be savored rather than plowed through.
The water level is too low and he is taken to hospital in a coma, with a broken back. Songs without words louisville free public library overdrive. From the bestselling author of the dive from clausen s pier, songs without words is the gripping story of a lifelong friendship pushed to the breaking point. The dive from clausens pier will speak to all those who have ever thought about leaving when they knew they should stay, anyone who has ever felt trapped, not only by circumstance, but by the strength of their own love, carrie bell has lived in wisconsin all her life. April 1, 2001 from shortstory author packer mendocino, 1994, a reflective and probing first novel about a young woman reassessing her life after her fiance is crippled. Watch full episodes of the dive from clausens pier and get the latest breaking news. The dive from clausens pier will speak to all those who have ever thought about leaving. Interesting premise, and good development though i thought she went too far into the seamstress subplot. Only toward the end does the writing feel a tad predictable.
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