Customer Reviews

The Dive: A Story of Love and Obsession

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Hi, I believe the people rating Pipin are being rather harsh with him. True Pipin doesn't give all the explanations, and yes it was a tragedy and for many of us see it as a mistake that took place in Dominican Republic. Its hard to find all the answers....

I am a freediver and I believe the book talks a lot about the history and events that many of us freedivers are interested in. Pipin Ferrera years ago, gave a name to the sport and that's why he is respected in our comunity.

For a person interested in freediving, I highly recomend this book.

Roberto Zuniga

A lot of the reviews say: "I wanted to find out about Audrey".
For those who are seeking what happened to Audrey, read "The Last Attempt" by Carlos Serra: a sad, but excellent book.

This book reads like a nonfiction version of the 1988 Luc Besson film "The Big Blue". Haunting and tragic this is for people that have a serious love of diving and the ocean, and anyone who wants to know what its like to get inside of the head of someone obsessed and consumed by and extreme sport. Not a thrill seeker or adrenaline junkie Ferreras at times seems to be aquatic life form cursed to live his life on land, visiting his true home in brief, beautiful, and for his wife, ultimately tragic dives. Must read.

I really liked the book, because of the interesting topic. While I read the book I was fascinated by this sport and its dangers. I mean, imagine that these divers descend to 170 meters with just one breath of air...that is unbelievable.
He started directly into the exciting story without any explanation and he finished the first chapter with the sentence: "So I went down to find my wife." He did not tell the readers if she is dead or not. After I have read the first chapter I loved reading it until the sad end.
I cannot imagine the feeling of diving into the dark blue sea with one breath that you have to hold on for about five minutes. But I think it is overwhelming! They are alone and can feel free...
In the end I want to say you: Read it by yourself you will not regret it =) =) It is one of the best books I've ever read....

My first thought on finishing this book was addressed to Pipin--"You killed her!". I do feel that his obsession with the sport and attaining new records abused the trust of his less experienced wife and pushed her into a dive she may not have been prepared for. However, VeganGurl makes a good point that Audrey was herself quite aware of the safety precautions (or lack thereof) being taken on the dive and was free to pull out or insist on changes at any time. She was by all accounts an intelligent young woman and not a helpless puppet to her husband's ambitions. If there is any blame to be assigned for this tragic event, she must take her share. I can't imagine undertaking something so dangerous without checking and doublechecking my equipment *myself*, but then I've never been very "team"-oriented. Having said that, I found this a compelling read. Pipin is clearly a man of deep emotion and seems to have benefited from self-examination and soul-searching over the last few years. No, it's not literary, but it tells Pipin and Audrey's story simply, in Pipin's own words. Whatever one thinks of the circumstances around the fatal accident, or of the sport itself, one can't help but feel deep sorrow for everyone involved.

I regret having obtained this book. I was looking for answers on what happened to Audrey. Instead, I found Ferreras contradicting his own words when compared to his own previous statements through tv reports and articles presented here in Spain, and selling his own "obsession". And the only love story I see is a unilateral one.
And when it comes to diving, he admits making the mistake that took his wife's life. Checking the air pressure by hand? In Spain that would have been a severe case of negligence and his picture taken with some numbers in the chest. In summary, we still don't know what really happened.

This book is about the death of Audre Mestre, Pipin's wife and student. It is a controversial subject and it is written in Pipin's words. I describes their sport, his obsession with being the deepest man. I liked the book, and I am glad to hear his side of story. I recommend the book, and I leave you to your own opinions.

This is a great book, that appeals to both men and women. The men tend to like the exciting accounts of world-record-breaking free dives, and the women like the love story. I recommend this book.

The Dive gives the reader Pipin's perspective on the events leading up to the tragic death of his wife Audrey Mestre and the passion and obsession that drove both of them to seek depths never reached before. For fans and participants in the sport of Apnea Diving, this is a cautionary tale that serves to thrill the imagination and temper that enthuisiasm with the reality of the dangers involved. Whether you like Pipin or not, the portrait of this man shows a complex and driven individual; of his love for his wife there is no doubt...of his passion for free diving there is also no doubt...this multiple World Champion is truly a depth-breaker.

First, let me say this concerning Palinurus' review (yes, I am reviewing other reviews): trains don't run underwater. That's silly. I will grant that Ted and Pipin may be on the same literary level, however.

Pipin is not a writer, he's a diver and it shows. He loves to focus on himself (and admits that his ego is great several times). But the honesty of his prose helps bring some of these events to life. The description of Audrey's final dive is truly vivid and terrible, the sick anguish and helplessness is experienced firsthand by the reader. You realize at this point that humans are equally unwelcome at the depths of the ocean as at the top of Everest. The beginning and end of the book are both excellent, from the young life on Castro's Island to the sad aftermath of Audrey's death. Moments of their marriage were beautiful, but things began to drag in the middle and their relationship was marred by Pipin's temper creeping back - can't teach an old dog new tricks, eh? His struggle against AIDA was interesting to read about, and it's worth noting that a quick search of the AIDA site returns neither Ferreras' or Mestre's names. Overall this book is certainly recommended, very poignant and worth your time. The responsibility of Audrey's death I leave to others for determination. Carlos Serra has also written an account of this event after conducting his own investigation, but I have not read it so cannot speak for it's veracity.