Ditzy and Champion
The internet exposes people to many wonderful and amazing things, but it can also be a dangerous tool. Faye Boucher learns this lesson the hard way. Faye, whose screen name is Ditzy, likes to participate in online chat rooms, especially ones that focus on relationship issues. This hobby is a constant source for arguments between her and her husband Jeff because he does not understand her reasons for wanting to partake in such activities. Jeff’s arguments against chat rooms seem well-founded after Ray Shapp (also known as Champion) becomes obsessed with meeting Faye because of some comments she made during an online discussion. Having just enough personal information about Faye, Ray hatches a plan to track her down.
The author provides the reader with an insightful look into the main characters. It was stunning to watch Ray’s obsession with finding Faye become more disturbing and dangerous. It was scary to see how someone who seems normal and well-adjusted in life would go to such extreme lengths to get what he wants. Faye, on the other hand, was so intent on hiding what was happening from her husband just so his opinions on the dangers of chat rooms would not be proven correct. Watching her agonize over how to handle the situation, while knowing she was putting her marriage and her life in danger, opened my eyes as to how people react under stress.
Some readers may embrace how the book ends because it allows them to draw their own conclusions. I, however, felt I was left with too many unanswered questions. There was a subplot in the story about a college girl who engages in prostitution to pay her tuition. However, the author never fully showed how this girl and her male friend fit into the big picture. I was disappointed by this because I like all of the loose ends to be tied up at the conclusion.
“Ditzy and Champion” will appeal mainly to female readers but it contains a lesson for everyone. These days it is extremely important to be careful about giving out too much personal information to strangers, whether online or in person, because the ramifications of such actions can lead to dire consequences.
Ditzy and Champion
Swimming Kangaroo Books (2007)
ISBN 9781934041406
Reviewed by for Reader Views (6/08)
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