Lynch, Jim | The Highest Tide

Recommended if you like: Neil or Sam from Freaks and Geeks, Squid.us, playing in the woods by yourself

I love this Publisher's Weekly review:
"The fertile strangeness of marine tidal life becomes a subtly executed metaphor for the bewilderments of adolescence in this tender and authentic coming-of-age novel, Lynch's first. As a precocious, undersized 13-year-old living on the shore of Puget Sound, in Washington State, Miles O'Malley has developed a consuming passion for the abundant life of the tidal flats. His simple pleasure in observing is tested and complicated over the course of a remarkable summer, when he finds a giant squid, a discovery that brings him the unwelcome attention of scientists, TV reporters and a local cult. Meanwhile, Miles's remote parents are considering a divorce; his best friend, Florence, an elderly retired psychic, is dying of a degenerative disease; his sex-obsessed buddy, Phelps, mocks his science-geek knowledge; and his desperate crush on Angie Stegner, the troubled girl next door, both inspires and humiliates him. Events build toward the date of a record high tide, and Miles slowly sorts out his place in the adult world. While occasionally Lynch packs too much into a small story, this moving, unusual take on the summers of childhood conveys a contagious sense of wonder at the variety and mystery of the natural world. Agent, Kim Witherspoon. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)"

That's it, exactly.

Here's my competetive Powell's review:

"This book's got me writing my beau mashnotes covered in entanged squid staring longingly into the other's eye.*

Miles O'Malley is a nice kid -- a good kid and a smart kid. He takes shockingly good care of the decrepit old lady who lives on the beach, and he's got a reverent, encyclopedic understanding of the aquatic ecosystem at his doorstep. Of course, all of his kindness and intelligence can't save him from or prepare him for the chaos of adolescence; I finished this book in less than 24 hours because he's sympathetic and charming as he struggles to understand & cope with divorce, dying, and the bizarre deep-sea wildlife that keeps washing up in the bay.

I love coming-of-age novels, and this one hit the spot; the powerful juxtaposition of the mysteries of the ocean and the mysteries of adolescence has left me in greater awe of both. I closed this book with a wistful smile on the my face & some Rachel Carson on my reading list."

*I did do this. I was a little drunk.

I think I misused "juxtaposed" and "wistful" but whatever -- I loved this book. I loved how earnest Miles is; I loved the endless fun facts about how strange sea creatures mate; I loved that most people lost interest in the mysteries when scientific, not supernatural, reasons were uncovered but Miles didn't miss a beat. It's not a letdown! It's still all extraordinary!

It was happy ending, not because good things happened, but because the character seemed to have survived the rough stuff that had been going on through the story & seemed optimistic about the future.

I think this book could make a fantastic movie. So pretty.

Jim Lynch also wrote a fantastic essay about how it's messed up that kids these days don't play outside they way they used to.