Book Review "Lessons From A Barracuda" by Beth McKnight

“Lessons From a Barracuda” is a fast-moving, page-turning, breezy thriller that is a perfect read for a rainy, drippy weekend day. Written by Boulder County author Beth McKnight, the book is entertaining while also being informative.

It touches on a wide range of subjects such as mental health, including co-dependence and anger management, pulmonary diseases such as pneumonia and MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) and social issues such as spousal abuse. The book addresses the need for support systems such as safe halfway houses for the abused, hospice centers to provide compassionate care of the dying, and the worthiness of grant-funded science and technology breakthroughs. All of these disparate topics are representative of the author’s own background and career in corporate communications and public relations.

Yet the plot, though rather unlikely, drives the first person narrative forward with twists, turns and surprises that are so abundant they become almost expected. The first is when her unfaithful husband pushes her off a boat forcing her to fight for her life.

This is not a deeply introspective character-focused story, although the main character is a thoughtful and spiritual person. It is about action and moving ahead despite “come-what-may.”

The protagonist, Elizabeth, is a well-educated, independent, successful woman who has a propensity to hook up with the wrong partners and ends up fighting co-dependency. Bad life decisions or co-dependency, if not addressed, can easily become repetitive life-patterns. The surprising part of the plot is that with each traumatic and sometimes life-threatening or even near fatal event that Eliazbeth faces, she appears to breeze through with great success and minimal disruption to her career.

One example is that Elizabeth decides to take a workplace abuser to court. Despite evidence of guilt, the defendant and witnesses lie in solidarity, resulting in the judge, who is married to a corporate partner and therefore should have recused herself, finding no reason for the case to proceed. Despite this, Elizabeth receives a big settlement. However, in real life, deep-pocketed, corporate cases of abuse can be quite a long and drawn out process with a successful outcome not at all assured.

And then Elizabeth immediately goes on again to yet another great job. Despite threats both violent and dangerous to her physical health, Elizabeth appears unstoppable. Her resilience is repeatedly attributed to her religious faith and her mystical interactions within nature.

In looking back at how she fought to survive the first attempt we see on her life, Elizabeth states, “Isn’t it amazing how much strength we can have when we need it, if we hold on to whatever faith keeps us going? I just feel like, in spite of my stupidity and refusal to do what I needed to do long ago (to escape her co-dependency and abusive relationship), I’m being guided toward something, but I really don’t know what. I mean, do you ever feel like you are part of a bigger picture, even if you don’t understand it?”

This theme of faith, of overcoming trials with a view outside of oneself or for the good of others is inherently one of good health and well-being. While this theme is not directly stated by the author or the protagonist, it is repeatedly demonstrated by Elizabeth’s ability to continue to move ahead and grow in the face of all her challenges.

So perhaps the unlikeliness of the plot can be forgiven. There is much in this book not simply to be entertained by but also to think upon, digest and perhaps take to heart. Some of these lessons are as the barracuda suggests, such as being hard to catch, discerning about taking bait and being willing to “Survive! And live your best life. Don’t let any man determine your fate.”

Author Beth McKnight will speak Friday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at Inkberry Books in the Cottonwood Square Shopping Center. She is also a former member of the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band.