A #1 New York Times bestseller, Mitchard's suspenseful and moving novel is now available in trade paperback

Few first novels receive the kind of attention and acclaim showered on this powerful story--a nationwide bestseller, a critical success, and the first title chosen for Oprah's Book Club. Both highly suspenseful and deeply moving, The Deep End of the Ocean imagines every mother's worst nightmare--the disappearance of a child--as it explores a family's struggle to endure, even against extraordinary odds. Filled with compassion, humor, and brilliant observations about the texture of real life, here is a story of rare power, one that will touch readers' hearts and make them celebrate the emotions that make us all one.

"Riveting . . . twists that will spin you around." --Newsweek

"A drama with the tension of a thriller that moves deeply into the emotional territory of family ties." --People

"Take a deep breath. . . . This riveting story won't let you come up for air." --US magazine

Oprah Book Club® Selection, September 1996: The horror of losing a child is somehow made worse when the case goes unsolved for nearly a decade, reports Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel columnist Jacquelyn Mitchard in this searing first novel. In it, 3-year-old Ben Cappadora is kidnapped from a hotel lobby where his mother is checking into her 15th high school reunion. His disappearance tears the family apart and invokes separate experiences of anguish, denial, and self-blame. Marital problems and delinquency in Ben's older brother (in charge of him the day of his kidnapping) ensue. Mitchard depicts the family's friction and torment--along with many gritty realities of family life--with the candor of a journalist and compassion of someone who has seemingly been there. International publishing and movie rights sold fast on this one: It's a blockbuster.

I guess everyone is different but I like to read to either a) escape (books that are light-hearted with at least some likeable characters) or b) learn something new (such as non-fiction books or novels based on a true story). This book was neither of those so I don't see how anyone could have enjoyed it...if I want to see how messed up real-life is I'll just watch the news....

I don't mind the concept of making the reader guess/hope what the final outcome will be (will the family finally find some happiness now that Ben/Sam moves back?) but I never liked any of the adult characters and no one redeemed themselves at all. Even Dr. Kilgore the psychiatrist treating Vincent/Reese is a moron! He never tells the parents that Reese has seen a kid who reminds him of his brother and 3 more years go by before they finally find him? At first I thought patient-doctor confidentiality but then Candy says SHE talks to the doctor so you know he would divulge something if he thought it was really Ben.... So all the adults were idiots and unlikeable (even the husband Pat), there are no heroes at all except probably George at the end for being gracious and kind. When Beth finally reaches her epiphany of saying they should give Ben/Sam back to George, I still was suspicious she was doing it because it was easier for her and not because she was displaying an unselfish mother's love. The chapters from Reese's perspective were the best part because at least they felt believable and they were humorous in certain parts.

I agree with the other reviewer who said at first you want to slap Beth and then later you want to slap the author! I'm ashamed to say I finished the book because I kept hoping it would get better. I didn't know this was an Oprah book club book...if I had I would have known better than to hope it would redeem itself....

I was actually fortunate enough to meet Jackie Mitchard over coffee and recieved a signed copy of this book from her. Personally, she is a fascinating and resiliant woman and her novel is equally as astounding. I had this novel for quite a while before reading it, but once I started it, I could not put it down. As a mother of four, I cannot imagine the nightmare of having my child go missing or being kidnapped. Jackie's portrayal of Beth Cappadora is as close to what I can imagine becoming in this same situation - numb, devistated and nearly unable to exist. It is a thrilling read and nearly impossible not to become completely absorbed into the situation. Phenomenal!

DRIVEL - a waste of paper and a TOTAL waste of time. Losing a child is an unbelievable tragedy. I can only imagine. However,the mother in this book just made me want to slap her silly. Do not waste your money. Her self-centered absorption is beyond credibility and tolerance.

This book ranks as the worst book that I have ever attempted to read. The mother was unbelievable. She was like a stork with her head stuck somewhere that it didn't belong. She didn't behave like a parent whose child had disappeared. I said that it was the worst book that I have ever attempted to read because I could not force myself to finish it even though it was going to be discussed at my book club. I put it down after reading one hundred pages. A week later, I picked it up and decided to do something that I had never done before. I skipped all the way in the book to a point that was about four chapters from the end. I did find out what had happened to the missing child but the book was still unreadable. I didn't even read the last two chapters. Pure nonsense!

Although it is a bit sentimental, the fact that the characters were developed made it a good read.