OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Downeaster" by Paul Thomas Fuhrman.]

The Downeaster: Deadly Voyage by Paul Thomas Fuhrman is a high seas tale about the voyage of the ship Providence as it sails from New York to San Francisco in the late 1800s. The story follows the captain and crew as they attempt to take the ship and cargo over 17,000 miles to its destination. This was well before the Panama Canal existed, so the ship had to sail from the east coast of the United States, down around the east side of South America, and then back up along the west side of South America to finally reach the west coast of the U.S. This book definitely fits into the adventure genre based on this enthralling journey.

The reader is pulled into the happenings and action through various individuals’ points of view throughout the story. Though we mostly get to see the tale unfold through the eyes of the ship’s captain, the point of view does shift to various members of the crew throughout the journey of over three months’ time. This gives us a multi-perspective view of the voyage as the ship deals with inexperienced crewmen, a single member of said crew sowing the seeds of discord throughout the journey, drastic changes in the weather (both calming and violent), and lots of hard work and hard lessons for all involved.

While all of this occurs on the sea, we get to see glimpses of the happenings of those related to the voyage on land as well. We have the tale of the captain’s new wife and how she strives to advance the cause of women while her husband it at sea. We also get to see her father and his dark connections with his old homeland of Ireland. There is just as much intrigue on dry land as amidships in this tale.

The story was inspired by the journals from another ship that actually took the same voyage in the mid-1800s. As the author used this for the basis of the story, the tale tended to be a bit clinical and stunted at times with the flow of the action. However, this is not a huge sticking point that would greatly detract from the reader knowing or enjoying what was happening aboard ship as well as back on the mainland. Though it does slow the pace and seemingly cause a few gaps in the narrative, it doesn’t detract from the overall story very much at all.

Also, a warning that the book does have its share of coarse language throughout. As the author states in his introduction:

“My sailors drink, swear, use tobacco, and enjoy the company of women. Their real voices are reflected in the shanties you’ll see on The Downeaster’s pages.”

Overall, The Downeaster was quite the story to get a chance to read. It gave an immersive account of what is was like to sail on the olden ships of more than a hundred years ago and the perils and struggles of the men who sailed them. Anyone who is interested in sea-faring tales or wants to learn more about the ships of that time period would thoroughly enjoy this book. I give this book a rating of a solid 3 out of 4.

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The Downeaster
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Like rssllue's review? Post a comment saying so!

Wonderful review, rssllue! I like that the author was inspired by actual journal entries that took the same journey as his fictional ship. Sometimes I enjoy learning through historical fiction text! Too bad about the slow pacing and gaps, but it does sound like a treat to read!

Thank you very much, hsimone! It was indeed a treat to read!

I'm glad you liked it!

Thank you. I hope you get a chance to do so as well and enjoy it too.

Sounds like the author made it very realistic. Well done in the review!

Nice, balanced review! The book sounds fascinating. I like that you gave constructive criticism about pacing, flow, and the gaps in the narrative, but mentioned that these issues don't detract too much from the overall story.

Thank you both for the feedback. It is most appreciated!

Nice disclaimer

It certainly sounds intriguing

I like the warning the author gives that the sailors use tobacco. I guess in the 1800's this was considered a little taboo.

It actually seems to be much more taboo today based on what I have seen.

That's a good thing.

It is definitely better for people's lungs that more are quitting.

I agree...even for the rest of us that don't smoke since we won't have to inhale secondhand smoke.

Totally with you on that one. Secondhand smoke is no joke.