Jacquelyn Mitchard’s best-selling novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, takes readers on a captivating journey of tragedy, redemption, and self-discovery. The story begins when Beth Cappadora, a stay-at-home mom experiencing the frenzied chaos of moving her family from Illinois to suburban Pennsylvania, becomes victim to every parent’s worst nightmare. During a chaotic family reunion, her three-year-old son Ben is lost for nine long agonizing months before miraculously turning up halfway across the world.
The novel tells the story of the lives of the Cappadora family over the course of the nine months before and the months after Ben’s return. Through intense and often emotionally raw dialogue, we get a very honest insight into the struggles faced by every member of the family. We learn of the initial shock, guilt, and despair faced by both Beth and her husband, Pat, who immediately blame each other for Ben’s disappearance at a Philadelphia amusement park. We get to witness the Cappadoras grieve and come to terms with what’s happened, while making the conscious decision to never give up hope that their son will come home.
Although their eldest son, Vincent, is initially filled with resentment and anger toward his missing little brother, he soon learns to accept him and even finds himself bonding with Ben as his memories slowly come back. While Pat explodes with rage and frustration upon hearing of the kidnapper’s conviction, Beth is both relieved and amazed at her young son’s courage, having kept his identity secret for nine months with nothing but his own faith and conviction that his family would find him.
Mitchard’s narrative brings us through the emotional movements in the lives of each of the Cappadoras, from their initial loss to their liberated joy at Ben’s return. While never losing sight of the incredible tragedy that befell her characters, she manages to maintain a sense of faith and humility throughout that is both inspiring and humbling. We feel the family’s anguish and elation as they as they await Ben’s return and rejoice when they learn of the conviction of the kidnapper.
The Deep End of the Ocean is an often heartbreaking but nevertheless compelling read. Through her depiction of grief, love, and resilience, Mitchard paints a powerful portrait of a family brought together by tragedy. We feel the Cappadoras’ joy in the reunion with Ben and recognize the newfound strength they gain in their bond as they come to understand their capacity to overcome anything life throws their way.
