Review by prowlingivy -- Adrift by Charlie Sheldon
1 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Adrift" by Charlie Sheldon.]
There are several instances in life when we end up off course and drifting through life in a rather aimless manner. Charlie Sheldon uses his vast experiences offshore to capture this very aspect of human life. Adrift is a well-written mariner’s tale on the hazards of the sea waters, crew loyalty, and beautiful human interactions both at sea and on land. It also captures the intricacies of family connections and human relationships in a unique manner.
Pete is a security guard for the Buckhorn corporation. He has an injured knee sustained during an encounter with Myra, Sergei,13-year-old Sarah and her grandfather Tom. The author uses him to introduce them to Adrift. William, a long time sailor, is Myra’s father as well as a crew member of the Seattle Express. He is cast away on a lifeboat with ten other crew members after abandoning the ship. Louise and her husband Larry set out on their salvage tug, Warhorse. They are almost bankrupt and desperate to save their almost dying business. Will they be able to beat time and manage a claim on the Seattle Express? Will their strained marriage survive the doubts and suspicions between them? Or will they simply opt to pretend that everything is ok?
These characters are brought together to save what they each hold dearest. In these desperate times, the noblest of human virtues come into being. Bravery, patience, and faith are but a few that spill through the pages. The author also includes some aspects of Alaskan heritage and cultural aspects in full detail. The overall superstitions surrounding such cultures are also included adding too much of the flavor of the book. This might, however, seem a bit farfetched for some readers.
I enjoyed the detailed geographic scenery throughout the novel. The map at the beginning of the novel helps a lot in understanding the context of the novel. This winter rescue mission tale will keep you at the edge of your seat. The bad winter weather and the rough waters make this rescue attempt almost impossible. Will the Seattle Express be recovered? Will Warhorse beat Buckhorn tugs in getting her? Will her crew members be rescued? This suspense-laden novel will get you turning the pages long into the night. In a combined narrative style incorporating both the third person narrative and first-person point of view, the reader gets to experience the emotional as well as the realism part of the entire tale. The author also avoided the monotony that I anticipated while reading the novel. He included several conflicts; from the personal levels to the society level. All these conflicts wonderfully served to enhance the overall plot of Adrift. I, however, did not like the fact that the conclusion of the tale was long in coming. I also disliked the way some of the mini conflicts were not fully resolved.
I would recommend this novel to an adult audience due to the complex nature of the plot. Its best suited for those who enjoy reading about adventures. It has several contextual vocabularies which can be a bit technical for some. It is a great read with a beautiful plot that one is bound to enjoy. The book is also pretty well-edited and well researched. I, however, encountered some typographical errors that can be eliminated with another round of editing. I give the book a 3 out of 4 stars. It is a generally happy ending narrative that lives a spark of optimism in your heart. It can be summarized by the phrase ‘All’s well that ends well’. It’s also packed with helpful life lessons, making it a worthwhile read.
******
Adrift
View: on Bookshelves |
There are several instances in life when we end up off course and drifting through life in a rather aimless manner. Charlie Sheldon uses his vast experiences offshore to capture this very aspect of human life. Adrift is a well-written mariner’s tale on the hazards of the sea waters, crew loyalty, and beautiful human interactions both at sea and on land. It also captures the intricacies of family connections and human relationships in a unique manner.
Pete is a security guard for the Buckhorn corporation. He has an injured knee sustained during an encounter with Myra, Sergei,13-year-old Sarah and her grandfather Tom. The author uses him to introduce them to Adrift. William, a long time sailor, is Myra’s father as well as a crew member of the Seattle Express. He is cast away on a lifeboat with ten other crew members after abandoning the ship. Louise and her husband Larry set out on their salvage tug, Warhorse. They are almost bankrupt and desperate to save their almost dying business. Will they be able to beat time and manage a claim on the Seattle Express? Will their strained marriage survive the doubts and suspicions between them? Or will they simply opt to pretend that everything is ok?
These characters are brought together to save what they each hold dearest. In these desperate times, the noblest of human virtues come into being. Bravery, patience, and faith are but a few that spill through the pages. The author also includes some aspects of Alaskan heritage and cultural aspects in full detail. The overall superstitions surrounding such cultures are also included adding too much of the flavor of the book. This might, however, seem a bit farfetched for some readers.
I enjoyed the detailed geographic scenery throughout the novel. The map at the beginning of the novel helps a lot in understanding the context of the novel. This winter rescue mission tale will keep you at the edge of your seat. The bad winter weather and the rough waters make this rescue attempt almost impossible. Will the Seattle Express be recovered? Will Warhorse beat Buckhorn tugs in getting her? Will her crew members be rescued? This suspense-laden novel will get you turning the pages long into the night. In a combined narrative style incorporating both the third person narrative and first-person point of view, the reader gets to experience the emotional as well as the realism part of the entire tale. The author also avoided the monotony that I anticipated while reading the novel. He included several conflicts; from the personal levels to the society level. All these conflicts wonderfully served to enhance the overall plot of Adrift. I, however, did not like the fact that the conclusion of the tale was long in coming. I also disliked the way some of the mini conflicts were not fully resolved.
I would recommend this novel to an adult audience due to the complex nature of the plot. Its best suited for those who enjoy reading about adventures. It has several contextual vocabularies which can be a bit technical for some. It is a great read with a beautiful plot that one is bound to enjoy. The book is also pretty well-edited and well researched. I, however, encountered some typographical errors that can be eliminated with another round of editing. I give the book a 3 out of 4 stars. It is a generally happy ending narrative that lives a spark of optimism in your heart. It can be summarized by the phrase ‘All’s well that ends well’. It’s also packed with helpful life lessons, making it a worthwhile read.
******
Adrift
View: on Bookshelves |
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