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The Persistence of Love
Dreams of Drowning follows a woman living illegally in Toronto who is seeking to escape the scandal surrounding her twin sister’s death, where she makes unexpected discoveries. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The book began with old memories of living in Toronto as an expat involved with Greek students fighting to free their country from a military junta. However, the story soon became entangled with the grief I experienced following my sister’s death, and the yearning for a magical resolution that would provide comfort and closure. Welcome to the world of my dreams translated onto the pages of my novel.
Each character has a moment that changes their life and leads them to where they are. Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
I started to say that while fictional characters generally have dramatic, life-changing experiences, most real lives are shaped by the gradual accumulation of small tragedies and triumphs over time. However, I’ve now reconsidered. On second thought, most of us experience an extraordinary moment that alters the trajectory of our lives. We accept or reject love, lose a loved one, survive a serious illness, leave a city, a marriage, or a job. Maybe we read novels to learn how fictional characters find their way through such treacherous times and overcome the obstacles we all face.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The book’s overriding theme is the persistence of love. Death doesn’t diminish Amy’s love for her sister or Jacob’s love for his wife. Their lives go on despite their losses. They change and grow, but their love remains constant. Other themes include the fragility of democracy and the need for citizens to remain vigilant in its defense, and maybe there is something mysterious and magical just beneath the surface of the world we know, something we can sense but can’t explain.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’ve just started work on a novel that takes place in Cleveland during the run-up to World War II. It’s partly a family drama, partly a love story, partly an investigation of the American-Jewish community’s response to antisemitism in Europe – and there’s a ghost. That’s all I’m saying for the moment. Sadly, I don’t expect the book to be available until late in 2026.
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It’s 1973 and Amy, an American ex-pat, is living as an illegal immigrant in Toronto where she’s fled to escape the scandal surrounding her twin sister’s death by drowning. Joanie’s been gone two years, but Amy still hears her cries for help. Romance would jeopardize the secrets Amy has to keep, but when she meets Arcus, a graduate student working to restore democracy in Greece, she falls hard. Arcus doesn’t know about Amy’s past, and she doesn’t know Arcus has secrets of his own, including the shady history of an ancient relic he uses as a paperweight.
In 1993 Toronto, Jacob Kanter, a retired archaeologist, is mourning his dear wife and grappling with his son’s plans to move him to a nursing home. Despite double vision, tremors, and cognitive impairment, he remembers sailing as a youth and sets out toward the lake where he boards a ferry boat embarking on its maiden voyage. He expects a short harbor cruise, but the Aqua Meridian is larger than it looks, and time is slippery on the water. When he hears a drowning woman call for help his story merges with Amy’s, and they discover they have unexpected gifts for one another.
Dreams of Drowning
In Dreams of Drowning, Patricia Averbach masterfully weaves a tale of emotional depth and complexity set against the backdrop of personal crisis and historical intrigue. The novel introduces us to Amy, a woman grappling with the haunting memories of her twin sister’s tragic demise. Relocating from America to Toronto, Amy’s attempt to maintain a low profile is complicated by the lingering scandal of her sister Joanie’s death. As Amy confronts her inner turmoil, she encounters Arcas, an ambitious graduate student deeply engaged in political movements and the preservation of democracy in Greece. Despite the budding romance that develops between them, Arcas’s mysterious past and abrupt departure add layers of intrigue to the narrative.
Parallel to Amy’s story is that of Dr. Jacob Kanter, who is navigating the challenging waters of memory loss and vision impairment following the death of his wife. His fear of being placed in a nursing home by his concerned son is poignantly portrayed, with reflections on his youthful days of sailing offering a glimpse into his character’s depth. The element of water serves as a symbolic link, drawing Amy and Jacob’s lives together in an unexpected intertwining of paths. The novel excels in its depiction of characters facing parallel realities. Amy’s struggles as an undocumented immigrant, dealing with family complexities and a convoluted romantic life, are skillfully portrayed. Similarly, Jacob’s journey through grief and the challenges of aging is handled with sensitivity and realism. This narrative is a rich exploration of themes such as love, loss, hope, and friendship, resonating deeply with the reader.
Dreams of Drowning delves into the impact of crises on ordinary lives, eloquently capturing the disorientation and loss of normalcy faced by individuals. Averbach balances suspense and action adeptly, providing a refreshing journey through history with her compelling storytelling. The book is a standout choice for readers who appreciate a blend of mystery and emotionally resonant fiction.
Pages: 311 | ASIN : B0CRJ17DTD
LITERARY TITAN 