One Breath from Drowning
In Kent Quaney’s captivating novel One Breath from Drowning, pursuits of love and self-fulfillment are complicated by family, religion, finances, and addiction.
Sydney is the setting for this detailed story about a thorny romance between two young men, Ryan and Sam, who are both working to be their best selves in a challenging world. Ryan, a young Mormon, hoped to leave his old self behind him when he fled Utah for Australia to pursue a master’s degree in acting. Sam is an Australian college dropout who works as a real estate agent, though he spends more time partying and surfing than working. When their relationship hits the rocks, both men face dark truths from their pasts; they have to do so if they have any hope of building satisfying futures, either together or apart.
The book’s point of view alternates between chapters, which move between detailed scenes, laboring to present both men as endearing but complicated, and deserving of love despite their limitations. The supporting cast, too, is drawn with care. The novel brings out the beauty and flaws of all involved.
In the course of characters’ conversations, rich descriptions of Sydney’s history, culture, and diverse neighborhoods are shared, including observations about gentrification. Such scene setting backdrops Sam and Ryan’s intriguing tale of love and self-growth, which is heartwarming and vibrant as they confront religion, economic struggles, visa worries, and family drama and addiction, all of which threaten to impede their search for acceptance.
The novel One Breath from Drowning is unflinching in its depiction of a modern romance whose obstacles are both fresh and familiar.
Reviewed by
Karin Killian
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
