Water and Light: A Diver's Journey to a Coral Reef

One of the great joys of diving, writes the author, is discovering the spaciousness of the underwater world. Novelist Harrigan ( Aransas )sic gives a sparkling account of an extended visit to the Caribbean's Grand Turk Island, where he explored a coral reef and observed such colorful sea creatures as polyps, stingrays and octupuses. Entranced by the grace with which turtles glide since one can't `fly' thru water? or stet `flights' as poetic effect?/meant for poetic effect, but glide is good.gs through water, he muses about the species in a long essay, amusingly noting that the leatherback is the only variety without staggeringly bad breath. Harrigan also reports on his encounters with other divers, one of whom he saved from drowning, and his experience as the first paying guest at an underwater lodge in Key Largo (Debussy's La Mer was among the records in his room). As he surveys diving through the ages, the author hopes for the development of lighter gear. The book may well inspire readers to check their equipment and begin planning their next trip to a coral reef. ( May )