At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

I have an unnatural obsession with the Loch Ness Monster (and Bigfoot, the Mayans, and Oak Island, among others...).  One of my favorite quotes of all time: Is Loch Ness the window or the mirror to a man's soul?  Deep stuff right there.  

At the Water's Edge was a recommendation from Amazon (because of previous orders of books on the Loch Ness Monster or something else, I don't really know).

I have mixed feelings about this book.  Several historical facts were altered to fit the author's story, much like the movie The Water Horse.  The famous so-called surgeon's photo (which may have once adorned my living room...) was attributed to one of the main character's father.  This didn't sit well with me.  I think I know too much about the historical setting to be able to "suspend disbelief" in reading this piece of historical ficiton.

High society couple Maddie and Ellis get slobbering drunk at a New Year's Eve party.  Ellis and his best friend Hank are already looked down upon as they cannot enlist to fight in World War II (Ellis is colorblind while Hank is flat footed).  After the shenanigans, Ellis's parents, who disapprove of his wife, cut him off financially. Ellis and Hank hatch a plot to make themselves famous and rich by finishing what Ellis's father could not: capture bona fide proof of the existence of the Loch Ness Monster.  Taking themselves and Maddie across the sea to Scotland in the midst of a war is a rather poor idea indeed.

The two men disappear for weeks on the hunt (I won't spoil what they are really up to), leaving Maddie with the locals, who truly hate the rich and spoiled American.  Maddie begins to make friends with the women who work in the little inn and help out with daily chores.  When Ellis and Hank return, things have changed too much and there is too much distance between Ellis and Maddie to truly reconcile.  Maddie no longer fits into their plan.  Nor does she want to.

The story was very enlightening--a real waking up and realizing what life really means kind of story.  It is about personal growth and true friendship among women.  I think I would have liked the book much more if the setting was different or if facts had not been altered to fit the author's needs.

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