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carlos1979's review against another edition
fast-paced
1.0
This should be a tale of man against the sea where you admire the authors trials and tribulations, what it actually turns into is one guy offending everyone he meets, knowing better than everyone he meets and never being at fault:
Rescued twice by the coast guard
Bankrupt then runs up $60000 credit card bills in his wife’s name.
All in all it’s difficult to bond with the book as the author is so difficult to like.
Rescued twice by the coast guard
Bankrupt then runs up $60000 credit card bills in his wife’s name.
All in all it’s difficult to bond with the book as the author is so difficult to like.
esshgee's review against another edition
4.0
This had me on the edge of my seat, absolutely riveted in what would happen next. Not the book I was expecting. Although the title does give a hint, it was *way* more disastrous than I ever imagined. David Vann's thinking with respect to his father was very interesting. I'm glad David lived through this to tell the tale.
pdsak's review against another edition
4.0
I just like his writing. This is my second Vann book. You can discuss lots of elements of this story, but it has to sit with me for a while...thinking about it for now.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
2.0
David Vann is on holiday in Turkey when he comes across a 90-foot yacht for sale. In an impetuous moment, he decides that this boat will be the one that helps him fulfil his long-held desire to own a boat of his own. He manages to raise $150,000 after begging and borrowing money from family and friends and maxing out his credit cards and sets about repairing and renovating the boat. The only problem is that the guy who runs the boatyard sees him as an easy target and ends up charging him half a million dollars for what is frankly an appalling job. With his out of control debt and the stress of everything, he wonders if he is going to follow the same tragic path as his father
But finally, he has his boat and the beginnings of a business. Sailing with a crew they are hit by a huge storm that destroys their rudder. Helpless and at the mercy of the storm, a ship comes alongside to tow them to safety. Alive but boat less, he manages to forget about anything marine for a while until another opportunity arises and he buys another boat.
There were some parts about this book that I liked and there was a fair amount that grated. You could tell he was going to be ripped off from day one on his renovations on the vessel, and whilst you need to trust those that are doing work for you, he seemed to have an unbelievable level of naivety. What salvages the book though is the description and drama of what are completely terrifying moments of almost-disaster at sea. It is worth reading just for those parts. Overall not bad, but not great.
But finally, he has his boat and the beginnings of a business. Sailing with a crew they are hit by a huge storm that destroys their rudder. Helpless and at the mercy of the storm, a ship comes alongside to tow them to safety. Alive but boat less, he manages to forget about anything marine for a while until another opportunity arises and he buys another boat.
There were some parts about this book that I liked and there was a fair amount that grated. You could tell he was going to be ripped off from day one on his renovations on the vessel, and whilst you need to trust those that are doing work for you, he seemed to have an unbelievable level of naivety. What salvages the book though is the description and drama of what are completely terrifying moments of almost-disaster at sea. It is worth reading just for those parts. Overall not bad, but not great.
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