Review: Frozen

“Frozen” is a story about Harry, Verity and Adam. Verity has been found on the beach of a high cliff, almost dead, most certainly never to function without medical care. Having been her best friend for years, Harry is shocked and does not believe she tried to kill herself. Adam provides friendship and support to Harry. We travel back to their early teens when Harry and Verity originally met, then when Adam joined their days of summer fun. Then continue up to present day, experiencing the bumps and pains that the three meet. Adam has married and is a career politician, Verity is in fashion design and Harry works in photography. And Harry still meets with Verity regularly and loves her from afar.

When Verity is injured, Harry cannot believe she has attempted to injure herself, so he begins the search for why, or what he missed, or who did it if not Verity. His search will lead him to painful memories and make him see things he has chosen not to see before. And in the end he may not find what he is searching for anyway.

“Frozen” is a story about relationships. Relationships that were formed as adolescents, roles that were established. Love that began. Now as adults the relationships have adjusted and adapted, but the roles were still pretty much the same. The love continued, undefined and stagnant. In the story, it is clear that Verity has become immobile, unmoving, frozen. But Harry has been frozen since he was 13. He hasn’t let himself grow emotionally since Verity walked away from him. Her unreturned love has made him build a wall of defenses around his emotional being. His investigation into Verity’s accident, though inadvertent, may thaw Harry some.

Incredibly introspective and cognitive, “Frozen” is amazing. The paralleling of Verity and Harry is done insightfully. The story moved back and forth between present and past without flaw, telling bits and pieces appropriately and relevantly. A very “heady” book that I enjoyed immensely!

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Sandi - RAM

Book Review: Frozen