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tishywishy's review against another edition
1.0
I really tried to give this book a chance, it was nice to hear a Trini voice but the characters were not engaging at all and the speech quotation was sometimes a little tedious to follow from lack of actual quotations (not typos, it was the style of the book). Got about 20% into it and then packed it up.
patchworkbunny's review
4.0
On the island of Trinidad, floods have destroyed Gavin’s home and wrought havoc on his family. Left to raise his six-year-old daughter, Océan, by himself he’s struggling with work and overwhelming loneliness. When he wakes up one morning he decides he wants to run away; take his boat, his dog and his daughter and sail out into the Caribbean and beyond.
Archipelago has made me want to hire a boat and sail round the Caribbean! Whilst the natural beauty may be a tourism advert, it is balanced by the darker side of the islands, unethical tourism, natural disaster and the seedier side of the locals. The sea itself is both mesmerising and dangerous. And whilst Gavin and Océan are surrounded by beauty, there is an underlying feeling of melancholy and a loss that is rarely talked about.
Océan makes a convincing six-year-old; she is perceptive and curious but not in a way that is beyond her years. She comes out with questions typical to children her age and her sadness is quiet, from someone who is not quite sure what is wrong in her world but knowing it is definitely not right. Despite some of the content, I never found it a depressing read and there are several moments that will bring a smile to your face to counteract the bad. It might be a bit too slow a read for some but if you love books about the sea, I would highly recommend.
Archipelago has made me want to hire a boat and sail round the Caribbean! Whilst the natural beauty may be a tourism advert, it is balanced by the darker side of the islands, unethical tourism, natural disaster and the seedier side of the locals. The sea itself is both mesmerising and dangerous. And whilst Gavin and Océan are surrounded by beauty, there is an underlying feeling of melancholy and a loss that is rarely talked about.
Océan makes a convincing six-year-old; she is perceptive and curious but not in a way that is beyond her years. She comes out with questions typical to children her age and her sadness is quiet, from someone who is not quite sure what is wrong in her world but knowing it is definitely not right. Despite some of the content, I never found it a depressing read and there are several moments that will bring a smile to your face to counteract the bad. It might be a bit too slow a read for some but if you love books about the sea, I would highly recommend.
skeeball's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i'll never forget you suzy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Animal death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Medical content
loverjessk's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book with all my heart! Such a wonderful book to start out the year with. Would recommend this to anyone!
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this - really lovely writing. Perfect vacation read.
christiebk's review against another edition
4.0
A father and daughter on the voyage of a lifetime.
After a horrific flash flood that left their life shattered, Gavin takes his daughter, Ocean, and dog, Suzy, and leaves their home in Trinidad, and sets sail on a Caribbean adventure. This book is a mixture of hope, heartbreak, healing, and travel, looking at how people deal with the grief of lost loved ones.
They journey though the local archipelagos, make new friends, sail through the Panama Canal, and visit the Galapagos Islands. They work on coming to terms with the natural world, both the danger and the beauty it contains, and what God's role is in all of it.
Ocean, the six-year-old daughter, is adorable, and it's easy to relate to and want to give a big hug. Gavin is a lost and grieving husband, who is a likable, and a very empathetic character. The author, Roffey, writes a beautiful, heart touching story, that I think most people could find something to relate to.
I loved this book, and shed a couple tears. Good if you are feeling a bit melancholy, and perfect to read on a rainy day under a warm blanket.
After a horrific flash flood that left their life shattered, Gavin takes his daughter, Ocean, and dog, Suzy, and leaves their home in Trinidad, and sets sail on a Caribbean adventure. This book is a mixture of hope, heartbreak, healing, and travel, looking at how people deal with the grief of lost loved ones.
They journey though the local archipelagos, make new friends, sail through the Panama Canal, and visit the Galapagos Islands. They work on coming to terms with the natural world, both the danger and the beauty it contains, and what God's role is in all of it.
Ocean, the six-year-old daughter, is adorable, and it's easy to relate to and want to give a big hug. Gavin is a lost and grieving husband, who is a likable, and a very empathetic character. The author, Roffey, writes a beautiful, heart touching story, that I think most people could find something to relate to.
I loved this book, and shed a couple tears. Good if you are feeling a bit melancholy, and perfect to read on a rainy day under a warm blanket.
avora's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book because it was on the "New and Notable" table at the library. It was heavier than expected. I don't know why I was thinking it would be happier than it was, considering its summary. Maybe the front cover tricked me.
Anyway, if you read this, be prepared to run through a gamut of emotions. It's an adventure across the ocean and the human spirit. The characters work through grief, fear, delight, guilt, wonder, self-doubt, etc. Every few chapters my eyes threatened to well up and my heart was lodged in my throat.
The only thing I really didn't like was Roffey's use of dialogue. There are no quote marks anywhere.
Anyway, if you read this, be prepared to run through a gamut of emotions. It's an adventure across the ocean and the human spirit. The characters work through grief, fear, delight, guilt, wonder, self-doubt, etc. Every few chapters my eyes threatened to well up and my heart was lodged in my throat.
The only thing I really didn't like was Roffey's use of dialogue. There are no quote marks anywhere.
aljavi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
brianreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5