Written in the style of a memoir, My Life Underwater is an uplifting tale about a young man from Port Arthur, Ontario who senses that his affinity for the water isn't the only thing that makes him feel different from others. Reflecting on his most memorable experiences, he focuses primarily on the years from 1975-79, as he carefully moves towards greater self-acceptance.
At university, he investigates the emerging gay scene in 1970s Vancouver; befriends Lara, a hapless French student with a huge appetite and a passion for singing; encounters Mrs. McBride, his landlady who harbours an inspirational secret and unexpectedly collides with Pete, an achingly handsome agent who becomes an infrequent secret lover. By chance, he runs into Robby, a Master's student and former schoolmate with a poignant past.
Throughout the story, water forms an important character. Competitive swimming figures prominently as it helps the narrator move from oppression and toward personal liberation. Culminating in a National swim meet in Montreal, swimming adds a thrilling sports story to the narrative.
A semi autobiographical novel, My Life Underwater weaves a series of quirky coincidences and offers illuminating insights into a young man's coming-of-age story.
About the Author: Alan D. Stamp is a Registered Psychotherapist in practice for more than thirty years. He's been a lifelong swimmer who competed in college and university in middle distance events such as the 400 IM.
After university, Stamp completed an internship in family therapy in 1994. He has had a lengthy and rewarding professional career working as a therapist, instructor and a clinical director. He has written articles on topics such as birth order, marital and family conflict, depression, anxiety, and hypnosis, however, this is his first full-length novel. His pleasures include swimming and caring for Chico, the small parrot that owns him.
Stamp is a longtime West End resident, having lived in Vancouver, Canada, for more than twenty-five years.
