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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I’m bailing. Hate to do it, but since looking at the excellent books I read in January I don’t want to lose that streak of excellence just starting off in February. This book is dry as dirt. There’s a shipwreck but it’s not as dire as it makes out. They’re on an island with a constant food source (sea lions) and ability to build shelter. If it weren’t cast as so life-threatening then maybe it’d be ok. But the attempt at drama is poor.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
The writing is on the dry side and it's a pretty slow-moving book overall (be prepared for lots and lots of digressions about sea lion behavior), but I found it interesting. Yes, even the sea lion bits.
This book turned out to be a really quick read - I finished it in a day. Granted, my husband was out of town and my internet wasn't working, so I had additional incentives to read, but still.
This book tells the true story of a group of men who shipwrecked on the Auckland Islands, near New Zealand. They managed to survive for around two years. The author gives lots of details about how exactly the men survived, many pulled from the men's own diaries and logs. Incidentally, another group was shipwrecked on the opposite side of the island during the same time the first group was there. Unfortunately, that group did not have as nice of a fate. Lacking leadership, they were unable to agree on decisions and ended up fending for themselves.
The material is interesting already, but the author's writing style made it very readable and enjoyable.
This book tells the true story of a group of men who shipwrecked on the Auckland Islands, near New Zealand. They managed to survive for around two years. The author gives lots of details about how exactly the men survived, many pulled from the men's own diaries and logs. Incidentally, another group was shipwrecked on the opposite side of the island during the same time the first group was there. Unfortunately, that group did not have as nice of a fate. Lacking leadership, they were unable to agree on decisions and ended up fending for themselves.
The material is interesting already, but the author's writing style made it very readable and enjoyable.
So boring I can’t even be bothered writing a review.
How such an interesting real life story got so butchered is beyond me. I feel like the author spent more time talking about the damn seals than anything else. And if I wanted a step by step guide on how to build a boat I would have bought a Dummies book. The interesting parts were lost in the detail.
Make it into a movie, then hopefully nobody will have to suffer through this book again.
How such an interesting real life story got so butchered is beyond me. I feel like the author spent more time talking about the damn seals than anything else. And if I wanted a step by step guide on how to build a boat I would have bought a Dummies book. The interesting parts were lost in the detail.
Make it into a movie, then hopefully nobody will have to suffer through this book again.
I wanted to like this book but found the storytelling tedious. The story told of the terrifying and gruelling ordeal of a small crew shipwrecked on an island 200 miles south of New Zealand for 20 months. A total triumph of will and perseverance. The storytelling recapped published first hand books about the ordeal (and seemed to recount the killing of each seal that the crew needed to survive).
"Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked At The Edge Of The World" by Joan Druett is an extraordinary book that takes readers on a gripping and remarkable journey to the edge of the world. This true story of survival, courage, and human resilience left me completely captivated from start to finish.
Druett's masterful storytelling skills bring to life the harrowing experience of the crew members of the Grafton and the Invercauld, two ships that found themselves shipwrecked on the desolate Auckland Islands in the 19th century. From the very first page, I was transported to the isolated, unforgiving landscape where these men faced unimaginable challenges.
What makes "Island of the Lost" truly remarkable is Druett's ability to weave together historical accounts, diaries, and letters into a coherent narrative that reads like a thrilling adventure novel. Her meticulous research and attention to detail shine through, creating an immersive experience that allows readers to feel as though they are right there alongside the shipwrecked crew, battling the elements and struggling for survival.
The characters in this book are not mere historical figures; they are brought to life with depth and humanity. Druett explores their individual personalities, motivations, and conflicts, which adds a layer of emotional depth to the story. I found myself emotionally invested in their journey, rooting for them every step of the way.
The author's writing style is both engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers of all backgrounds to immerse themselves in the story. Even if you're not typically a fan of non-fiction or historical accounts, I believe "Island of the Lost" has the power to captivate and enthrall you.
Above all, this book is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human will. It showcases the extraordinary lengths people can go to survive in the face of adversity and highlights the power of resilience, teamwork, and determination. It left me with a renewed sense of appreciation for the strength of the human spirit and the wonders of the natural world.
"Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked At The Edge Of The World" is a true gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking an unforgettable reading experience. Prepare to be transported to a time and place where survival hung in the balance, and to be inspired by the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
Druett's masterful storytelling skills bring to life the harrowing experience of the crew members of the Grafton and the Invercauld, two ships that found themselves shipwrecked on the desolate Auckland Islands in the 19th century. From the very first page, I was transported to the isolated, unforgiving landscape where these men faced unimaginable challenges.
What makes "Island of the Lost" truly remarkable is Druett's ability to weave together historical accounts, diaries, and letters into a coherent narrative that reads like a thrilling adventure novel. Her meticulous research and attention to detail shine through, creating an immersive experience that allows readers to feel as though they are right there alongside the shipwrecked crew, battling the elements and struggling for survival.
The characters in this book are not mere historical figures; they are brought to life with depth and humanity. Druett explores their individual personalities, motivations, and conflicts, which adds a layer of emotional depth to the story. I found myself emotionally invested in their journey, rooting for them every step of the way.
The author's writing style is both engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers of all backgrounds to immerse themselves in the story. Even if you're not typically a fan of non-fiction or historical accounts, I believe "Island of the Lost" has the power to captivate and enthrall you.
Above all, this book is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human will. It showcases the extraordinary lengths people can go to survive in the face of adversity and highlights the power of resilience, teamwork, and determination. It left me with a renewed sense of appreciation for the strength of the human spirit and the wonders of the natural world.
"Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked At The Edge Of The World" is a true gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking an unforgettable reading experience. Prepare to be transported to a time and place where survival hung in the balance, and to be inspired by the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
Overall interesting despite the gloomy nature of the book. I found the epilogue mostly useless.
Months later I find myself thinking about the cat on the island. What a sad lonely life of solitude for the creature. Perhaps it had a mate?
Months later I find myself thinking about the cat on the island. What a sad lonely life of solitude for the creature. Perhaps it had a mate?
A brisk read about two separate shipwrecked parties and their contrasting fates. It includes some feats of heroism and (often dubious) ingenuity juxtaposed with a medley of seal pup slaughter that at times gets a bit disturbing. I feel that some of the technical descriptions of shipbuilding could have been replaced with a bit more development of the "supporting" players who are oftentimes glossed over so to seem interchangeable.
Recommended if you like: New Zealand, survival tales, handmade seal hide shoes.
Recommended if you like: New Zealand, survival tales, handmade seal hide shoes.