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This was a Christmas present for my husband. He seems to be enjoying the book so far, he is 1/2 way through it (that is with 2 other books being read at the same time).
I am not a sailor although I have owned several large power boats over the years. I was looking forward to a survival at sea adventure but became lost in the jargon of sailing and gave the book to one of my sail boating friends who I am sure will enjoy and appreciate the language of sail boating.
I've always thought this after I put the book down. I believe this extends past an armchair sea-cruising book and wallows into classic literature. Well, I agree with the raves regarding this book. The transference from normal to borderline and then a psychotic state is very slow and subtle. But I'm not an expert on that so I can't say for sure. However, this story that Caldwell tells closely resembles Holden Caulfield in Salinger's classic. I'll go no further. You'll have to read it.
One of the things that sets this book apart is at the start John really knows nothing about sailing & he isn't afraid to admit it. I thought I would give it try. John writes with a great sense of humor. Try as John might he could not find a way to get back to his wife in Australia.
I won't delve any farther into what happens but I will say he has endless interesting escapades with the creatures of the south seas & you will see why this is a desperate voyage. From his years of service in the merchant marine he had enough money saved up to buy a 26 year old 29 foot sailboat. With ZERO training & knowledge of sailing he set off from Panama for a 9,000 mile journey. I love sea stories, I love survival stories & I knew very little about this book besides the fact that almost every review was 5 stars. I was sad to learn that John has passed on. Some become friends, some become dinner.
As I was reading the book I was expecting John to get lost or beat up in storms but I wasn't expecting the epic tale of survival. It is one of most successful sailing stories ever.
This week (Sept 2008) his wife has published another book (Mary's Voyage) about further journeys with John - I can't believe he stepped foot on another sailboat. This is the story of John Caldwell who at the end of WW2 was stranded at the opposite end of the world from his new wife Mary whom he had married the year before.
Also you will be amazed at what a human being will eat if pushed to the brink of death. Right from the moment he casts off he is only minutes from disaster but somehow he prevails & after numerous mistakes he slowly learns to be a better sailor.
He sails solo but he is far from alone, he has two kittens who you learn to love & other secret stowaways. You will love John's storytelling.
If you love sea stories this book will not disappoint.
John Caldwell was in love. A real page-turner. So in love he bought a less-than-adequate 29 foot sailboat to sail thousands of miles across the Pacific (from Panama to Sydney, Australia) to be with his new bride. On his way, adventure and obstacles ensue, and he really shows what he's made of throughout the story.What a great book. You will have a hard time putting this one down. I know I did.
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