A review by rik07
We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen

5.0

An amazing tour de force through the history of seafaring with the Danish sailortown of Marstal at its centre. As I come from a city of the Baltic myself, the book's first half thrilled me intensely as I've learned a great deal about the early age of seafaring. Yet, the main theme may be the sea and how it determines the fates of those dependent on it: the sailors. Moreover, how the family of each sailor, in particular the wives and sons, are affected by a sailor's fate is a reoccuring theme in this one. Despite the book's focus on characters, do not expect a full fledged character development. The book skips again and again important details in the character's development and acknowledges many things with nothing more than a side remark. Yet, the focus of the book is never in doubt and as we ride on the waves through the centuries, the novel delivers a series of adventures, myths, fascinating characters, and never ignores the tragic, wretched and desperate side of life at and on sea.