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A review by gesch
Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling
3.0
This book attracted me in the same way that Jack London’s Sea Wolf caught my eye. Unfortunately, in spite of the disturbing similarities between both books, this one left me unsatisfied. Never the less, a review based on the juxtaposition of one work to others similar to it will do justice to a select few.
The story centers on Harvey Cheyne, an arrogant and spoiled boy, heir to an enormous railroad empire. We are introduced to him while he travelling from the United States to Europe on a steamer where, on account of nausea from smoking a stogey and seasickness, he falls overboard. Before drowning he is rescued by the schooner “We’re Here” captained by Disko Troop. At this point the youth attempts to convince the crew his is the son of a wealthy man and pleads with them to return to port with no avail. Instead he is offered the opportunity to earn his keep on the ship by helping out during the four or so months of fishing that to be done. During this time Harvey has to adapt to the life onboard and we are presented to a variety of very particular characters, Uncle Salters, Long Jack, Pennsylvania, Manuel, the Cook and Dan Troop, Harvey’s loyal friend. The rest of the tale consists of Harvey’s growth as a person, his awakening and the shift of perception of life that occurs in him.
The book was interesting though for a good section it appeared to lack a substance for the plot was too thin. It had one very fine peculiarity for which Kipling should be truly admired and that would be his portrayal of vernacular speech in outstanding detail. This however, may make the story ambiguous and even confusing at times and may require careful reading but it remains as one of the story’s strongest points. Another part, which particularly gripped me, were the series of conversations which take place in the last few chapters of the book.
The story centers on Harvey Cheyne, an arrogant and spoiled boy, heir to an enormous railroad empire. We are introduced to him while he travelling from the United States to Europe on a steamer where, on account of nausea from smoking a stogey and seasickness, he falls overboard. Before drowning he is rescued by the schooner “We’re Here” captained by Disko Troop. At this point the youth attempts to convince the crew his is the son of a wealthy man and pleads with them to return to port with no avail. Instead he is offered the opportunity to earn his keep on the ship by helping out during the four or so months of fishing that to be done. During this time Harvey has to adapt to the life onboard and we are presented to a variety of very particular characters, Uncle Salters, Long Jack, Pennsylvania, Manuel, the Cook and Dan Troop, Harvey’s loyal friend. The rest of the tale consists of Harvey’s growth as a person, his awakening and the shift of perception of life that occurs in him.
The book was interesting though for a good section it appeared to lack a substance for the plot was too thin. It had one very fine peculiarity for which Kipling should be truly admired and that would be his portrayal of vernacular speech in outstanding detail. This however, may make the story ambiguous and even confusing at times and may require careful reading but it remains as one of the story’s strongest points. Another part, which particularly gripped me, were the series of conversations which take place in the last few chapters of the book.