Fast Moving True Life Non Stop Adventure
Andrew Rafkin has a tremendous respect for the ocean and a love for sports fishing. In his new book "Red Sky Morning" Rafkin relives the summer he turned 17 in this coming of age fast moving true to life adventure story of life on a commercial tuna fishing expedition.
Andrew relates his story in a first person narrative. A gifted story teller, Andy drew me into the story taking me back to my own teen years, as a younger Andy relates the adventure from his viewpoint. Interwoven throughout the story are interludes with Rosa, Lauren, Nicole, and Erin. These liaisons add an element of romance to Andy's 17th summer. The climax of the story is set two years later in a sports fishing incident that turned a dream opportunity into a recurring nightmare.
Rich in information on the back ground of sports fishing and the history of commercial fishing Andrew takes the reader From Monterey to San Diego on the West Coast all along the East Coast from Florida to Massachusetts. He describes the Western Ace as a "Navy seagoing tug that was converted to a modern day purse seiner. She was 176 feet long and cruised at 11 to 12 knots...she had the capacity of 800 tons of fish."
I experienced a kinship with the fourteen members of the crew as Andy described their reaction to the delays in port, the thrill of the catch, the tropical rain storms, the hurricane force winds, and the crashing waves battering against the ship. I learned that the life of a commercial fisherman is death-defying and is the most dangerous of all professions with more fatalities per year than any other vocation.
I was especially touched as Andy told of the importance of the summer as a bonding experience with his father. "...one of the best things was the time I spend, with my father, who, prior to this summer, I only saw a few days between fishing trips. Spending the whole summer with him gave me the opportunity to get to know him in his domain...I gained a tremendous amount of respect for my father, and came to understand what an awesome amount of responsibility he had being captain."
"Red Sky Morning" is a compelling seafaring adventure story that will be enjoyed by sports fishermen, by anyone who loves the ocean, and those who own or have dreams of owning their own catamaran, yacht, or boat.
Outskirts Press, 978-1432719425
As review by Richard R. Blake for Midwest Book Review
Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Book Store Owner
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_R_Blake
No comments:
Post a Comment