We spoke with author Diane Les Becquets regarding her novel "Where the Water Meets the Sky" and her promotional tour across Michigan. Set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (particularly the Garden Peninsula), the story follows Abby, a young woman who survived a childhood house fire that took her mother's life but left her with no memory of the tragedy. Through her immersion in the region's natural environment, Abby navigates her grief and trauma, gradually discovering internal peace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around her.
Les Becquets' relationship with the Upper Peninsula is deeply personal, rooted in childhood memories of exploring the woods, boating, and seeking refuge along the shoreline during challenging times. This bond took on even greater significance after she survived a life-threatening diagnosis and surgery for five brain aneurysms. The life-altering ordeal inspired her to rewrite the manuscript with a renewed purpose and fulfill a promise to take a month-long camping and backpacking journey through the book's key settings, including Point Abbey, Marquette, and the Garden Peninsula, where reaching the wild shores of Point Detour offered a moment of profound gratitude and spiritual alignment with her protagonist.
Public Radio 90's Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Les Becquets about her book and Michigan tour:
In addition to the landscape itself, the narrative draws heavily on the author's passion for nature and amateur birdwatching, finding solace and spiritual elevation in the movement and symbolism of local wildlife. As she travels through Michigan communities, Les Becquets emphasizes that the heart of her tour is centered on fostering meaningful human connections, listening to readers share their own personal stories of resilience, and celebrating the restorative wonder of the wilderness.
Les Becquets will appear at Snowbound Books in Marquette on Monday, July 27th at 5 pm EST, and in the Keweenaw Peninsula Tuesday and Wednesday.
Find out more at https://www.dianelesbecquets.com/
