Book Blurb:
A forgotten battle. A live-aboard dive vessel. Will exploring what lies under the coral tear these men apart?
America, 1985. Nick Mitchel is wracked by grief. Destroyed by his beloved wife’s death, the retiree is fighting to keep his flashbacks from disturbing long-buried truths. And a diving expedition in the Pacific Ocean he’d hoped would heal old wounds only reopens dark memories of the war…
Japan. Junichi Takahashi is brimming with indignation. After surviving the WWII firebombing of Tokyo as a child, he resents his dying father’s request to explore a sunken graveyard. And with the location now a tourist mecca for scuba divers, he’s furious that one of his nation’s most tragic losses has turned into an underwater playground.
As Nick struggles with nightmarish visions, his anger awakens when a saboteur starts tampering with his equipment. And as Junichi battles to make peace with his grim history, he confronts Nick in a dangerous collision of perspectives.
Can the two men salvage anything from the wreckage of a bitter conflict?
Eye Contact Over Truk is a heartrending work of historical fiction. If you like nuanced characters, emotional journeys, and surreal backdrops, then you’ll love Stephanie Woodman’s thought-provoking exploration of the past.
Buy Eye Contact Over Truk to seek redemption today!
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Author Bio:
Stephanie Woodman is an avid collector of experiences and a perpetual student of life. Despite her analytical background with a long engineering career and a short tenure as a high school math teacher, Stephanie has a powerful creative side which has manifested itself in her debut novel, Eye Contact Over Truk.
The inspiration for Stephanie's literary endeavors springs from a diverse array of influences. From the adventurous exploits of Clive Cussler's underwater thrillers, the poignant writing of Robert James Waller, to the captivating biographies of Aline, Countess of Romanones, Stephanie finds influence in stories that transport her to new places, times, and cultures. She also draws from her own life experiences, infusing her writing with authenticity and emotional depth.
The idea for Eye Contact Over Truk came to her in 1996 during a scuba trip to Truk Lagoon. She put the project on pause during her career and finished it in earnest after her retirement in 2021. With the additional two decades of life experience, her writing transformed to explore themes of perseverance, forgiveness, grief, loss, life, love, and adventure. This evolution of her story is captured best by Mark Twain's timeless adage that "history often rhymes," blending youthful vigor with seasoned introspection.
Outside the realm of literature, Stephanie is an avid pickleball player and golfer, finding joy in friendly competition. She loves scuba diving, sailing, traveling the world to explore new cultures and meet new people, and spending time with her son, who is now starting his own adventure in college. Stephanie is an active member in her community, volunteering her time to help students in robotics programs and is also known for her past role as a clown, bringing laughter and joy to those in need.
Editorial Review:
"Eye Contact Over Truk," written by Stephanie Woodman, is a captivating novel that subtly
blends deep introspection with underwater adventures, providing readers with an emotional
and reflective experience. The action begins on August 14, 1985, in Ventura, California,
following the life of Nick Mitchel, a man overwhelmed by the loss of his wife Jeanne, who
died after a long battle with cancer. In an attempt to heal his wounded soul, Nick dives into
the depths of Truk Lagoon, a place laden with the tragic history of World War II, where he
meets Junichi, a Japanese man with his own demons. The novel transcends simple
adventure, becoming a meditation on how the past shapes the present and our ongoing
efforts to find peace in a world shaken by conflicts. Woodman's incisive style captivates from
the first lines, leading the reader through an exploration of human depths, suffering,
forgiveness, and rebirth.
Woodman successfully captures the devastating essence of pain through the detailed
depiction of Nick's emotions and thoughts. The novel begins with a scene of powerful
emotional impact, where Nick faces the inevitable reality of his wife's death. Through Nick's
eyes, readers are taken on a whirlwind of memories and thoughts about life and loss. The
book also explores the impact of tragedy on family relationships, and the deep connection
between Nick's past and present reveals old traumas, creating a complex image of inner
suffering. Every secondary character, from his children, Anthony and Dana, to his
granddaughter Jani, adds a new dimension to understanding pain and how each tries to
cope with loss. Woodman's honest and direct style addresses the brutality of death and
suffering, using simple yet emotionally charged language to convey the intense experiences
of the characters.
The action continues in Kyoto, Japan, on October 5, 1986, where we meet Junichi Takahashi
amidst a foggy and oppressive morning. Junichi, dressed in what appears to be a typical
businessman's attire, expresses through his determined stride and dark gaze, an amalgam
of powerful emotions, reflecting a profound inner burden. “His stride was strong and
determined, his eyes looking down at the road as his every step pounded down on it.
Anyone watching this man would see his dark expression, his anger, his frustration in his
walk, in his face, in the rigid set of his shoulders. Anyone peering into his dark brown eyes
would see the sadness, the pain.”
Junichi faces the final encounter with his father on his deathbed, a relationship marked by
painful memories and the inevitable acceptance of the end. Additionally, the book illustrates
the personal tragedy of the Takahashi family during the bombings in Tokyo, adding an extra
dimension of loss and grief. Junichi's traumatic childhood experiences are rendered with a
harrowing realism, providing a chronicle of human suffering and resilience. The Zen garden
becomes a symbol of hope and rebirth in the face of devastating losses.
In the novel, Woodman skillfully blends detailed descriptions of the underwater landscape
with deep introspective reflections, creating an intense and poetic atmosphere. The
relationship between Nick and Junichi is central to the plot's development. Both face past
traumas and regrets, and their meeting becomes a catalyst for each other's personal
transformations. Together, they discover not only the physical artifacts from the depths but
also personal truths that allow them to better accept and understand their own lives.
The novel stands out for its unique approach to themes of war and reconciliation. The
combination of historical elements with a profound psychological and emotional analysis of
the characters offers a new and interesting perspective on the impact of war on individuals.
The details related to diving into shipwrecks and encountering the past add an element of
originality and adventure.
A key moment of the book is masterfully described in an intense passage that captures the
tension and somber atmosphere of the wreck: “There was no marine life of any nature in the
hold. A thick layer of silt covered metal gray equipment in a silt-covered metal gray hold. A
very eerie setting, conveying the impression of what it was, an underwater tomb. Shivers ran
up the base of his neck. Images of the crew working in the hold formed. He could feel the
vibrations of an explosion further in the ship, the tilt of it as it began to sink, the machinery
sliding. Terrified crew trying to get out. He jumped, imagining one of the bulldozers sliding
toward him. Silt billowed up around him. Shaking his head, reality came back. He had sunk
down into the silt on one of the bulldozers. The gray cavern was as it had been. Nothing had
moved. Nick partially inflated his BC and rose above the silt. His breath was racing as fast as
his heartbeat. He had to calm himself down. It wasn’t real. He repeated to himself. Only my
imagination.”
This passage illustrates the author's ability to create a chilling atmosphere and convey the
protagonist's overwhelming emotions. The tension and fear felt by Nick are palpable, and the
meticulous details about the wreck and the vehicles within it add a strong visual dimension to
the story.
As the action unfolds, Nick and his colleagues face not only the physical dangers of diving
but also their own emotional traumas. The relationships between the characters are complex
and well-drawn, each with their own story and emotional baggage. Their encounters with the
past, whether through war memories or personal connections with the lost, bring forth
themes of loss, regret, and the search for forgiveness.
Character development is one of the novel's strengths. Junichi and Nick are described with
great attention to detail, their evolution presented in a believable and moving manner. Letters
and inner reflections provide a particular depth, allowing readers to understand the
emotional complexity of each character. Junichi undergoes a process of releasing anger and
accepting the past, while Nick confronts his own guilt and desire for inner peace.
"Eye Contact Over Truk" by Stephanie Woodman concludes with a powerful message about
forgiveness, healing, and rediscovering the joy of living. In the final pages, Junichi finds a
letter from his father, Kaito, urging him to let go of past anger and pain to live a life full of joy
and freedom. Kaito emphasizes the importance of learning from the past but also of letting
go of pain to avoid passing it on to the next generation: “It is time for you to let me go, as well
as everything my life represents. With that, let go of all of your anger about the past. When
we keep anger from the past, we deny joy in the future. Let it all end now, so that it does not
live on in your son. You were born in a time of great change between two very different
cultures. You had no foundation to begin your life, but your strength has enabled you to forge
a path. This is the foundation you have provided for your son. Without this past, you and
your son would not have the freedoms you have today. Enjoy those, but make sure your son
understands how precious freedom is and to never allow anyone to take it away, nor allow
your own fear to give it away”
Saved by Junichi from a situation of imminent danger, Nick examines his past and how his
war experiences have profoundly affected him. However, his encounter with Junichi brings a
new, permissive perspective that offers Nick the chance to free himself from the burden of
guilt and approach life with a more open attitude.
The novel's ending is both satisfying and emotional. With a profound message about
reconciliation and the power of letting go of the past, "Eye Contact Over Truk" offers
readers a powerful reflection on war, forgiveness, and the importance of
living a meaningful and joyful life. Stephanie Woodman's sensitive and detailed narrative
style creates an intimate connection between the reader and the characters, offering a rich
perspective on life and human experiences. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a
deeper understanding of the human condition and how the past shapes our present and
future.
"Eye Contact Over Truk" by Stephanie Woodman is a profound and emotional read, offering
a captivating story about war, guilt, forgiveness, and the power to move forward.
*****
“Eye Contact Over Truk” receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year award, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submissio
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