What do readers think of How Far Is the Ocean from Here by Amy Shearn? Write your own review.

Amy Shearn has created a memorable character, Susannah Prue, who is searching to belong to someone. Her journey takes her across a desert that is so vividly described by Shearn that you can feel the heat and right into the hearts and lives of five strangers who show Susannah what family really is: imperfect, forgiving and unpredictable. I would highly recommend this book for book clubs. There is something about each character that I could relate to thus making this a book I couldn't wait to read.

Author Amy Shearn takes readers on a delightful journey which explores relationships, family, parenthood, love, and the unique and strange bonds that connect people. Readers who appreciate beautiful and insightful writing as much as a good story line itself will find a lot to like about this novel. I know I'll go back over passages to enjoy again Shearn's way with words and observations.

Things happen in threes for a reason and the relationship between Susannah, Julian and Kit is only the tip of the iceberg. The story unfolds as triads form, meeting, overlapping and blending, one into the other, much like the collections of three that Susannah keeps in her glovebox. As the story unfolds not only does the landscape evolve from desert to ocean but the lives of the characters evolve also from drabness to beauty. Each is a study in contrasts, most notably Frankie who is quite literally trying to change her whole being. I found the book hard to put down and the author's use of language was exceptional.