The cover of Sailing to Purgatory by Paul Rodgers promises the reader an ocean adventure, romance and a shocking ending. It does all of these things most certainly but, be cautioned. This is not a straightforward quick beach-read.
| US book reviewer Paddy Stodart-V considers Sailing to Purgatory 'His understanding of the sea, the skies, navigation, the dangers, the privilege of being alone at sea pours onto the page in beautiful prose.' |
The author jumps at the unexpected opportunity of yacht ownership and the possibility of making a solo crossing of the Atlantic just at the point where he is also forced to confront the inevitable concerns and constrictions of his advancing years. The voyage is to be his farewell to his seafaring days.
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| Remarkable wealth of knowledge and skills ... 'Gleaned from years of dedication to the art of solo sailing.' - Paddy Stodart-V |
And he brings the reader along on this final journey from Venezuela to Cape Town at a pace and in such astonishing detail that the reader truly feels he shares the experience.
Years of dedication
We come to appreciate his very remarkable wealth of knowledge and skills gleaned from years of dedication to the art of solo sailing.
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| Sailing to Purgatory's cover ... 'promises the reader an ocean adventure, romance and a shocking ending.' |
His understanding of the sea, the tides, the skies, navigational issues, the dangers, the courage required, the beauty and sheer unique privilege of being alone at sea pours onto the page in precise, evocative and very beautiful prose.
The former journalist has honed his skills of observation throughout his years of sea travel.
The romance, as unorthodox and unexpected as it was, was gently and respectfully handled. The ending – gut wrenchingly sad.
I'd like to offer a thought about Australian Bob who appears in the story. I loved him! I laughed out loud whenever he appeared on the page.
Personal reflections
If I were to take issue with any part of this book it might be Paul’s occasional tendency to wander away from his own personal reflections (which are perfectly wise in themselves) by inserting a quote from a literary great (Shakespeare or Milton) or to refer to works of Schubert or Britten or Debussy when adding colour to a scene.
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| Unorthodox and unexpected romance. |
Paul is probably the most educated, cultured man ever to take to the sea - a Renaissance Man of the highest order. But I am fairly sure I may not be the only reader who may need to spend time chasing down the references before continuing my reading. ?
Paul’s life clearly has been one of remarkable dedication to his two great passions of sailing and writing and they come together here between these pages making a rich and satisfying reading.
It is going to be incredibly difficult to await the outcome of the shocking events that are chronicled on the concluding pages of this book. Roll on Book Two!
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Thanks very much for visiting the blogs for my adventure book, Sailing to Purgatory.
