The Divide

Nicholas Evans

Feb 2007 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

“Evans demonstrates the same intricacy of plot and depth of characterization that defined his international best-seller The Horse Whisperer…[a] heartrending story of a family in crisis.”—Booklist

For many anguished months Ben and Sarah Cooper's daughter has been on the run from the FBI, wanted for murder and acts of eco-terrorism.  But when Abbie's body is found embedded in the ice of a remote mountain creek, the family's devastation deepens into mystery. How did she die?  And what was the trail of events that led this golden child of a loving family so tragically astray?
 
In a journey of discovery and redemption that takes us from the streets of New York to the daunting grandeur of the West, The Divide tells the story of a family fractured by betrayal.  It explores the pain we inflict on those we love the most and charts the passions and needs, the dashed hopes and disillusionments, that connect and divide all men and women.

Ratings and reviews

Abbie Cooper's body is found by two skiers. She was at the bottom of a mountain creek in a frozen stete. The story relates to Abbie's chance from an innocent, content high school senior into an accused murderer and ecoterrorist Her family went to a dude ranch and while there, Abbie went' to a friend's parent's ranch. There she found that companies were drilling on the surrounding farms for gas and they have had their notice. The government only sold the ranchers the surface rights and kept the mineral rights and now they are leasing that. The companies who drill for gas don't care that it spoils the land. Later, her father tells the family that he is leaving and wants a change in his life. She tells him that he is ruining their lives but the father tells her she'll understand when she gets older. She views this as a second betrayal. She picks a college in the west and becomes involved in the protest movement, gradually becoming more radicalized. An easy read with messages about the harm divorce can do to a family, particularly for the children and the uncaring attitude of the companies drilling for gas.

About the author

Nicholas Evans studied law at Oxford University after serving in Africa with Voluntary Service Overseas. He then worked as a newspaper reporter, TV producer and screenwriter before writing four bestselling novels. His first book, The Horse Whisperer was made into a movie directed by Robert Redford. He lives in Devon with his wife, singer/songwriter Charlotte Gordon Cumming.