Desperate Voyage - John Caldwell
John Caldwell is the type of madman that makes the world great. His story of sailing across the Pacific Ocean is an epic tale that makes Ulysses seem like a bit of a wuss.
Stranded in Panama after the Second World War, Caldwell buys a small boat called Pagan. He sets about teaching himself how to sail before heading out in search of Oz. Well, Australia, actually. His mission is to reunite with his wife, who he hasn't seen for more than a year.
He experiences trials enough to challenge any ancient mariner. From a shark that cripples his engine to a hurricane that threatens his life. He finds friendships and hardship. He experiences the heartbreak of abandoning feline shipmates and the joy of finding salvation in the kindness of strangers.
Though it's always clear that Caldwell must have survived, this doesn't harm the telling. I stopped counting how many times I thought, "well, he's done for now". I also forgave the technical explanations of sailing and repairs. They tend to add to the authenticity of the hero's plight, rather than overwhelm those of us who don't know their jib from their bilge.
Personally, I'm not all that nautically inclined. But Caldwell's wry honesty and sincerity make his Desperate Voyage a reader's delight.
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