Title: The Obsession of Lt. David: A Story of Love and the Navy
Author: William Harris
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-5434-6178-7
Pages: 140
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: C.C. Thomas

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In the preface of William Harris’ The Obsession of Lt. David: A Story of Love and the Navy, the author gives this quote, “It has been said that there are three kinds of people: those who are dead, those who are alive, and those who are at sea.” Harris gives an engaging read for those anxious to learn about this last group.

The story revolves around the character of David, who signed back up in the Navy for active duty after a bad business venture and a stint in the reserves. As soon as he goes aboard ship, he realizes that things aren’t going to be perfect and that this reality exactly matches his expectations. When meeting his new crewmates, an awkwardness settles in and the crew makes little attempt to get to know David better. David does little to melt their anxiety and the newness of the situation takes a toll on everyone involved. Forging human connections in a tightly controlled environment makes the reader feel sympathy for David, but his reluctance to engage and seize opportunities frustrates that sympathy.

This awkward tug between two worlds is the crux of David’s problem throughout the book. On one side, he feels an intense responsibility for order and duty; on the other side, he is a human being who wants to make a connection with the people around him but isn’t sure how. This dynamic soon manifests in David’s struggle against feelings of attraction for Beth, a fellow shipmate’s wife. David wants to be the best man he can, but sees no way around the growing love he feels for Beth. David’s moral dilemma, between his becoming an honorable man versus sliding into a morass of self-hatred and pity, will make a connection with readers who daily encounter this very common, human struggle.

Throughout the drama, Harris paints a picture of life on the sea and the challenges aboard a naval battleship. Reading the exchanges of the crewmen and the details of their tasks rewards the reader with the hint provided in the preface. Those who are at sea endure lives of vast technical complexity that bear little resemblance to mundane life onshore. However, glimpses behind the seamen’s tough exteriors will make connections with readers from all walks of life, those alive and those who have lived at sea. Those who are at sea struggle with the challenges of the loneliness of vast oceans and the struggles of finding safe harbor in love. Symbolically, this is not so different from what landlubbers experience, and there are more similarities than differences between the two groups.

While the book reads largely as a primer on board a destroyer, the story contains enough juicy tidbits to please any romantic. Harris stays true to his character in David, even when the reader might disagree with David’s actions, and this makes for an interesting time. All aboard for great read!