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282nd out of 385 books
—
203 voters
The Ocean Between Us
by
Susan Wiggs (Goodreads Author)
On the surface Grace Bennett has it all --- three wonderful children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But somewhere between her husband Steve's demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy's routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. And when a nearly forgotten secret resurfaces, her discontent comes into sharp focus. Someth...more
Mass Market Paperback, 489 pages
Published
March 1st 2005
by Mira Books
(first published January 1st 2004)
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Though a naval setting you don’t have to be a serviceman’s wife to relate to the fundamental questions Grace is now faced with.
Grace is nearly forty and has been married to Steve Bennett for twenty years and raised their three teenage children virtually singlehanded while Steve’s navy career has seen him deployed at sea for months at a time. When Steve is close to the promotion he’s worked for all his career Grace is beginning to acknowledge and face the niggling feelings of discontent that hav...more
I almost didn't read this one because I didn't think I'd finish it in time since I didn't get to start it until Friday night. I had also just finished another book in the similar genre and thought I might need a change. But I'm so so glad I decided to read it because I really really enjoyed it (and finished it in plenty of time)!
The Ocean Between Us takes place over the course of one year in the Bennett family as they experience yet another year as a Navy family. Grace Bennett has always stuck b...more
The Ocean Between Us takes place over the course of one year in the Bennett family as they experience yet another year as a Navy family. Grace Bennett has always stuck b...more
This was a great story about families, what they mean to each other, what happens when you don't work hard at keeping them strong, along with beginnings and endings.
Grace and Steve have been married for over 20 years, raised 3 kids together, and lived the normal nomadic life. Along that way Grace and Steve find themselves doing what so many married couples do, not really listening to each other, to the point where their marriage is in trouble. The spark that seems to flame this point is a youth...more
Grace and Steve have been married for over 20 years, raised 3 kids together, and lived the normal nomadic life. Along that way Grace and Steve find themselves doing what so many married couples do, not really listening to each other, to the point where their marriage is in trouble. The spark that seems to flame this point is a youth...more
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In The Ocean Between Us Susan Wiggs deftly portrays the struggles and triumphs of an American family facing life's greatest challenges as they come to understand the timeless lessons of the heart.
On the surface Grace Bennett has it all--three wonderful children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But somewhere between her husband Steve's demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy's routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. And when a nearly forgot...more
On the surface Grace Bennett has it all--three wonderful children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But somewhere between her husband Steve's demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy's routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. And when a nearly forgot...more
*sigh* I guess there was a reason I kept putting this book off.
The book is very disjointed. There's a reason behind this, I supposed, to preserve the "mystery" of what actually happens, but it's almost like the book had 4 or 5 distinct "chunks" and Wiggs decided to mix them all up. It was confusing until about halfway through the book.
I also didn't like the little clues that were meant to mislead you assume incorrect conclusions.
Grace, at almost-forty, has a revelation that her life is not her o...more
The book is very disjointed. There's a reason behind this, I supposed, to preserve the "mystery" of what actually happens, but it's almost like the book had 4 or 5 distinct "chunks" and Wiggs decided to mix them all up. It was confusing until about halfway through the book.
I also didn't like the little clues that were meant to mislead you assume incorrect conclusions.
Grace, at almost-forty, has a revelation that her life is not her o...more
I enjoyed this one...easy beach read but a great story. But one moral of the story for us moms...your husbands have jobs and the kids will grow up and have their own lives...take time for yourself and do some things that you enjoy instead of waiting until you have time because you never will have enough time. Some good quotes....
Listen, the way you spend each day adds up to the way you spend your life. - Ch 13
(Lady that sold house to Grace)
...she even loved to sink into the mindless pleasure of...more
Listen, the way you spend each day adds up to the way you spend your life. - Ch 13
(Lady that sold house to Grace)
...she even loved to sink into the mindless pleasure of...more
Grace and Steve Bennett have been married for twenty years and they have three children in high school. Steve is a career Naval officer and his career has taken precedence over everything else in the family’s life. They’ve just moved to Washington state and Grace starts to feel the need to put down roots and begins to question all the sacrifices the family has made for Steve’s career.
On the eve of Steve’s deployment, the family finds out some shocking news, so the relationship between Steve and...more
On the eve of Steve’s deployment, the family finds out some shocking news, so the relationship between Steve and...more
My husband just retired from the Navy after a 20-yr career. This book *got* the Navy lifestyle in ways most books don't. One huge exception to this is the friendship between an enlisted wife and an officer's wife. That is a huge no-no and wouldn't have happened. Also, I didn't like how independent the officer's wife was. Yes, when their husbands are deployed Navy wives have to make a lot of independent decisions. This wife, however, was reacting against her husband and intentionally making major...more
My grade: A+. I really liked this book, which was my first Susan Wiggs. I could relate to Steve and Grace, the strain in their marriage and the people they were. Loved how thoroughly the children and Josh were portrayed. Loved the depiction of Navy life and life aboard an aircraft carrier. I would adore reading a book about Emma. Wiggs's style reminds me of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. They both tell a story with multiple well-developed characters. I even fell in love with Whidbey island. I'm plann...more
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I'm retired Navy, and was curious as to how Susan Wiggs would portray Navy life. Having been through many deployments leaving my wife and kids behind, I think that she did a great job putting together the roller coaster of emotions and struggles that accompany a career family in dealing with the constant separations and give and take required in order to keep a family together in spite of all the stresses. While all the events depicted in the story are realistic and happen at sea all to frequent...more
Started Feb 6 2011
Finished Feb 18 2011
This was my fourth Susan Wiggs novel and while I have enjoyed the others...especially Table for Five this was the best so far. As Grace comes to grips with who she is and where she wants to go and the possible disintegration of her marriage, you couldn’t help but hope that both she and Steve could find their way back to what matters most. I liked how the first two chapters set the stage and then the ‘flashback’ gave you the background leading up to present....more
Finished Feb 18 2011
This was my fourth Susan Wiggs novel and while I have enjoyed the others...especially Table for Five this was the best so far. As Grace comes to grips with who she is and where she wants to go and the possible disintegration of her marriage, you couldn’t help but hope that both she and Steve could find their way back to what matters most. I liked how the first two chapters set the stage and then the ‘flashback’ gave you the background leading up to present....more
Oh boy was this a goooood book!
Sometimes you want to offer a bonus star...
The story of a Navy wife who has travelled the world with her husband and family but she finds herself at home (not too far from where I live so I know why) and questioning her / their futures. There were some really amazing moments... my book has lotsa tear (crying not ripped) marks, the good and the sad kind. Not too many authors tackle the midlife experiences of woman like this... but this is SOSOSO much more. I love th...more
Sometimes you want to offer a bonus star...
The story of a Navy wife who has travelled the world with her husband and family but she finds herself at home (not too far from where I live so I know why) and questioning her / their futures. There were some really amazing moments... my book has lotsa tear (crying not ripped) marks, the good and the sad kind. Not too many authors tackle the midlife experiences of woman like this... but this is SOSOSO much more. I love th...more
One of the things that I’ve always enjoyed about reading books is the way that they can take you away from reality while often still educating you in a way that is unexpected and rewarding. The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs did just that for me. While on the surface it may seem to be a simple story about the sacrifices of love and marriage, it is sensitive tale makes you think about the things that military spouses have to deal with when their loved one is on active duty. Personally, the close...more
When I first started this book I thought to myself " Oh no! I am not going to like this as much as I had hoped to!" The first chapter had a lot of Navy jargon, and I was just not interested in it. But, I kept at it, and I am glad I did!
Grace and Steve Bennett have been married nearly twenty years, and have three children in their teens. Steve is a career Navy Officer. Grace is a Navy wife, and mother. Grace has always been very supportive of Steve's career, moving herself and her family, whenev...more
Grace and Steve Bennett have been married nearly twenty years, and have three children in their teens. Steve is a career Navy Officer. Grace is a Navy wife, and mother. Grace has always been very supportive of Steve's career, moving herself and her family, whenev...more
This really isn't the type of book I'd normally be drawn to, but I was at the library, in need, without a plan and no books on hold. While browsing a display I saw this book, read the back, set it down and then... I thought the story sounded interesting. I decided to give it a shot, and then got very very very hooked. I can't say its some great literary work, but, I got very drawn into the story, and interested in the characters. It was definitely a nice, sitting out in the sun relaxing read!
Susan Wiggs is another author who has made the transition from Romance to Women's Lives and Relationships with her emotionally involving, character-centered novels. Although her style is more complex than Macomber's, readers will recognize and relate to the heroines and their stories of relationships with family, friends, and lovers. Wiggs also sets many of her novels in the Pacific Northwest, Macomber's home, and draws on the Navy for characters and story lines.
Grace is having a mid-life crises. Her oldest twins are leaving for college, she's let herself go, and realizes that she has single-mindedly led her life in the pursuit of her husband's military career. She spends half her life alone while he is stationed abroard and she's fed up. She wants her own home, one that is not a transitory rental, and a career. This story is how she reconciles her wants and needs against those of the family's greater good.
First my disclaimer- I'm a former Army Brat so I loved the setting and plot involving a Navy family. Many parts were familiar to me as I was reading so I was already enjoying the book, the writing and plot were both interesting in Fresh and i enjoyed the differing POV's. The only issue I had was all the Navy jargon in the first chapter was almost a turn off. I had no clue what was happening, but I enjoyed having that chapter where it is in the book. Overall I give this book a solid 4 stars.
I loved this book. It was about a Navy family stationed at Whidbey Island, WA. It brought back so many Navy memories: the Commisary, Exchange, etc. And the feelings of having your husband gone and trying to raise a family in the military, all things I remember from our Navy days. Also this book reminded me how important a marriage is and how hard you always have to work at it, but remembering not to lose yourself as a woman too.
I was surprised to discover this novel by one of my favorite authors. As the wife of someone retired from the Air Force, I appreciated Grace and her family's struggles with separations and moves. (I could have used help from someone like Grace to make moving less traumatic!)
The dangers on an aircraft carrier and flying fighters are unique and daunting. As well, some other social issues are well dealt with in the novel.
The dangers on an aircraft carrier and flying fighters are unique and daunting. As well, some other social issues are well dealt with in the novel.
An excellent story about a Navy family. Grace is in charge of everything, kids, etc, then her husband comes home and they have to adjust. Just as they get used to it, he is gone again. She has totally devoted her life for the past 20 years, to his career and raising their family, then secrets come to light and everything changes. Can this marriage survive? I liked the characters and found it interesting how things are resolved. A good read.
This book allowed me to live and feel the experiences of this military family, dealing with honor, loyalty, separation, loneliness, love, patriotism, heroism, and children becoming adults. Whether or not my politics agree with war, I came away with new admiration and profound appreciation for the sacrifices not only of our military personnel, but also their families. Thank you Susan Wiggs.
An emotional story of marriage, family and the choices people make and how those choices affect those you love. There was a lot of detail regarding the Navy and Navy families, but there was some emotional detail, specific to this family, missing that would have made this a five star book. Besides that one criticism, the book was very good and worth the read
Very mixed feelings about this book. I like the subject of Navy families and a captain's family in particular. Much of the external is true, and some of the internal conflicts. I lived the military life and think the author captured many nuances for wives and kids. That part I like and am continuing to the end.
But the inner dialogue is often over-written, based on a good central idea but written to the point of tedium. This is particularly done just before a major event and feels as if the edito...more
But the inner dialogue is often over-written, based on a good central idea but written to the point of tedium. This is particularly done just before a major event and feels as if the edito...more
The story of a Navy family and the difficulties they face while
Steve (father, husband and career military) face while he is on his last deployment. Grace (mother and wife) is facing a mid life crises. The two have drifted apart without really knowing so and their marriage is now in jepardy. The two oldest children(twins) are about to graduate high school and move in other directions. Not necessarily the direction their parents had anticipated. Read the book to find out how and what happens duri...more
Steve (father, husband and career military) face while he is on his last deployment. Grace (mother and wife) is facing a mid life crises. The two have drifted apart without really knowing so and their marriage is now in jepardy. The two oldest children(twins) are about to graduate high school and move in other directions. Not necessarily the direction their parents had anticipated. Read the book to find out how and what happens duri...more
The scene that stays with me from this book is the one where she comes out of the commissary and for a moment cannot remember where she is, which base, which house...where? That moment of confusion is something I've dealt with personally and it really resonates with me. A military marriage is not easy, and Ms. Wiggs addresses that with grace and truth.
Lovely story of changes in relationships overtime...and how emotions are so different for individual people. Truly makes you take a minute to sit and think if you still appreciate the relationship you are in and what direction you want it to go in.
Excellent read for those married forever and a day!
Excellent read for those married forever and a day!
I loved this depiction of the life of a Navy wife/ family. I can relate to her feelings of being lost in the daily hussle & bussle of kids, husband, volunteering, etc. I also have found that in tragedy, one finds the most simple priorities include love and only love.
Had a hard time getting into this book...way too much Navy jargon, but stuck with it. Wasn't much to write home about. Not my favorite book I've read by Wiggs. Entertaining enough to read on vacation, but not something I'd recommend to someone else.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What did you think of The Ocean Between Us? | 2 | 10 | Feb 16, 2012 10:09am | |
| What's The Name o...: Finding Book, [s] | 2 | 22 | Jan 27, 2012 12:41pm |
Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org...more
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Dec 25, 2010 07:31pm