Part I: Bimini Chapter I Summary

Thomas Hudson lives in a strongly built house on the island of Bimini off the coast of Florida, the most western island in the Caribbean. The house sits on the highest point of land between the harbor and the open sea. Clear green phosphorescent water fills the view, and beneath that off-white sand, with palm trees near the house. During the daylight hours, Thomas can safely swim and spot incoming sharks long before they become a danger. At night, no such warning exists, and the sharks do swim close to shore and feed.

An artist, Thomas paints well and has lived in the house nearly a full year. The tropical weather, including the hurricanes, fascinates him. He especially enjoys the fireplace in the house, where he burns driftwood blown in by the storms. Thomas sometimes...