Bottom Beach

E. Laurent
Outskirts Press (2009)
ISBN 9781432739645
Reviewed by Marcy Blesy for Reader Views (01/10)


“Bottom Beach” by E. Laurent is the fictional story of Yvonne Elysee, a young woman from Dominica in the West Indies.  Living currently in the United States, she works at a non-stimulating job within her rather normal life.  When she is awakened on several nights by recurring nightmares, her work suffers as she struggles to end the dreams.  Music helps to settle her mind at night, but she needs more help.  A visit to her regular physician sends her to see a psychiatrist.     

Recalling pleasant memories of growing up in Dominica, she has several fond, detailed recollections of time spent at Bottom Beach, especially of the sea grapes.  Yet, she also has negative memories of the old, abandoned building partially submerged in the water.  Upon further prodding, her psychiatrist discovers times of fear from Yvonne’s youth, yet can’t find the root cause of the fear.  Under hypnosis, Yvonne seeks and finds the answers to what is causing the nightmares.  She then has to decide if she will conquer her fear.

Ms. Laurent writes a simple story.  The writing is clear with good imagery of Bottom Beach and a family of supportive characters.  However, the story lacks a lot of plot and action.  If the reader views the book more simply as a woman’s search to discovering how her past can affect her current life, the story will be more convincing.  Otherwise it seems contrived at times and too perfectly fixed by the psychiatrist. 

Scattered throughout the story in “Bottom Beach” by E. Laurent are Yvonne’s religious thoughts which help to define her character.  I liked those references.  I just felt like something “bigger” was going to happen, and it never did.

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