Finding Rosie by W.B. Edwards takes us on a meandering journey through the mind of Paul Sutton, a young man fresh out of high school, trying to navigate his way through post-Vietnam War America. It’s a coming-of-age tale, laced with the tensions of escaping the draft, surfing along the Californian coast, and the bittersweet relationships he builds. The narrative ebbs and flows through different timelines, from carefree teenage escapades in Baja to a more mature struggle with love, memory, and a haunting past in the Philippines. The book uses surfing as a powerful metaphor for Paul’s emotional highs and lows while exploring the nostalgia and confusion of youth in a world shaped by war.

At times, Edwards paints scenes so vividly that I felt the warmth of the sun on my face or the cold sting of the Pacific water. His descriptions of California in the late ’60s and early ’70s brim with life, like the exhilarating, carefree drive Paul takes with Don Frank, his surfboard strapped to the roof, heading to Ocean Beach for one last adventure. Edwards captures the carefree, almost reckless spirit of youth beautifully, and the surfing sequences are thrilling, almost cinematic. But there are moments where the pacing stalls and the plot feels as aimless as Paul’s inner journey. I found myself yearning for a tighter narrative, especially in the chapters set in the present, where Paul’s struggle with direction often drags.

Edwards’ exploration of the theme of friendship struck an emotional chord. Paul’s bond with Don Frank is as deep as the ocean they surf together, a poignant connection forged through shared adventures and near-death experiences, like their harrowing escapade in Baja. Their dynamic feels authentic; the dialogue is peppered with humor, the slang of their time, and an unspoken understanding that goes beyond words. Yet, Paul’s relationships with women, particularly Mary and Rosie, are more complicated. There’s a raw vulnerability in how Paul reflects on his time in the Philippines, his guilt, and the sense of loss he feels in the wake of his fractured relationship with Mary. The titular character, Rosie, feels like a specter of lost innocence and an unresolved past that continues to haunt him. There’s a repetitive quality to Paul’s musings about his mistakes and his constant yearning for escape, which becomes tiresome. I felt trapped in his cycle of guilt and indecision, much like Paul himself. The conversations with Mary are emotionally charged yet ultimately feel stagnant, never quite resolving the tension. Mary’s poignant declaration about growing apart and moving on is one of the book’s more affecting moments. It’s delivered gracefully, and I empathized with her, even when Paul seemed determined to remain adrift. These moments of emotional honesty are where Edwards’ writing shines.

Finding Rosie is for readers who enjoy a slow, introspective read, one that dives deep into the psyche of a character trying to find meaning in a world that doesn’t make sense. It’s a melancholic, sun-soaked story, ideal for those who love novels about the Californian surf culture, the post-war generation’s disillusionment, or tales that don’t offer easy resolutions. While the book could have benefited from a brisker pace, it does succeed in capturing the essence of a restless soul. In the end, Edwards reminds us that some memories are impossible to out surf.

Pages: 178 | ASIN : B0773ZMGCH