Castle of Water

A Novel

By: Dane Huckelbridge

Narrated by: Max Winter

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

For Sophie Ducel, her honeymoon in French Polynesia was intended as a celebration of life. For Barry Bleecker, the same trip was meant to mark a new beginning - turning away from his dreary existence in Manhattan finance to seek creative inspiration. But when their small plane is downed in the middle of the South Pacific, the sole survivors of the wreck are left with one common goal: survival. Stranded hundreds of miles from civilization on an island the size of a large city block, the two castaways must reconcile their differences and learn how to draw on one another's strengths. If they don't, they may never make it home.

©2017 Dane Huckelbridge (P)2017 Dreamscape Media, LLC

I wanted a happy ending

I read for an escape so I was disappointed when it had a sad ending. just trying to warn others I'd that's what you are looking for

Amazing story

Barry walked away as a finance banker to finally put his passion for art first. His first step is to visit where Gaugin is buried in the South Pacific. His travel companion on this flight is a French couple on their honeymoon. Flying over the ocean during a storm, the small plane crashes and Sophie and Barry are the only survivors.

The words in this book, paint vivid pictures in your mind. Of course, they struggle trying to survive but then come to depend on and love the strengths of the other. The author does not take the easy way out by showing struggles and then sizzling sex scenes but slowly builds the bond between them and includes trivia/history that adds to the richness of the content. Sophie and Barry form a strong bond of love and respect and I will miss them both. The narrator was perfect!

Other reviewers complain of the abrupt ending but I appreciated that (no spoilers). A truly wonderful book. Now I need to see what else Huckelbridge has written!

Wanted More

I really enjoyed this book but wanted more towards the end. I felt it ended abruptly.

I love everything about this book

A friend told me to run out and get this book, and so I did. Sort of. I grabbed my phone and downloaded the audible. It's such an engaging story and the narrator is fantastic. I listened to it on a long drive, and it made the time fly by. Everyone should experience this book.

Great read

Surprisingly intelligently written book. I was caught off guard by the depth of the writing. I knew the ending by reading a review that gave it away but although that part was spoiled, the ending still worked.
I read and listen a lot over many years. However, I have written only 3 reviews. This book deserves a 5 star review. Also, the narrator was perfect. Can’t imagine this without him.
Take a trip to the island with this wonderful book.

It took a while to get into this book.

This book was for my book club and I very nearly gave up on it but finally got into it. I did like that it left a lot to the imagination. I did enjoy the last few chapters despite the heartache, and loved the ending. I might re- listen the beginning again, as I might listen differently.

I loved it but.....

The ending was an utter disappointment. What happened? How??? Such a great book and so well written up until the ending that didn’t quite follow through. Such a pity. So much potential that the author just dropped the ball on at the end. I’m sorry but a good book is like a good journey, whatever the outcome, it follows through and draws you in and compels you. This one did not do that but the author has potential. Perhaps given time and experience. We will see

Beautiful

This book is beautifully written, tender and sad and haunting. It’s one of my top five that I’ve read this year, and I highly recommend it.

A great story

Great story of love and overcoming adversity and sometimes not being able to overcome all adversity. This was a great book to listen to an audio as the French language was wonderful and understandable. The plot was slightly suspenseful without being super mysterious there weren’t twists and turns but you just weren’t sure how it was all going to end up. I’m giving it a good rating because I couldn’t wait to see how it ended and it was unlike any book I’ve read. But I did find it to be awfully sad.

The best I‘ve ever heard

The story was very engaging and the narrator was the best I have ever heard