'The Sea Runners' by Ivan Doig - an awesome book, a story that will stay in my memory.

[scarletwoman]

Unforgettable.

I loved this book. I was totally swallowed up by it. It sounded a bell in my soul that is still echoing, long after turning the final page.

I don't know how to explain it, all I can say is that there was a indefinable something - about the story, about the characters, about the writing style, about the journey, the landscape/seascape - that just grabbed me and set me into that canoe right alongside the escapees from New Archangel as they battled their way down the northern Pacific coast in the winter of 1853. Much as I fervently wished for their survival and deliverance from their travails, I was equally loathe to come to the end of the journey and the end of the story.

One of the most powerful elements of this book is the author's use of language. This was written in a sort of archaic style, as though the author himself is living in the 1850s, shaping the dialogues and the descriptions in the cadences of that time. It is exquisitely done and utterly mesmerizing. I was thoroughly transported back to that time and place.

The Sea Runners now rates alongside Burial Rites as the best and most memorable books I've read so far this year. My heartfelt thanks to Locks, who first pointed out this book in the February 15 "What are you reading" thread, and to Enthusiast for carrying that mention forward. I am so grateful to have been turned on to this book.

Edited to add: This review is also for japple, who wanted to know what I thought of the book.

[TexasProgresive]

1. Thanks for the review and

If you are feeling better that is just great.

[scarletwoman]

2. Hi, friend!

Yes, I'm feeling better (finally!)

I've lost track of who has or has not already read The Sea Runners, so forgive me if I can't remember whether you've read it or not. I didn't want to post any spoilers - I just wanted to say that it's a damn good book. I'm so glad I read it.

Thanks for checking in!

[Enthusiast]

3. I am so glad you enjoyed The Sea Runners. Excellent review.

Yes, the archaic language style was powerful. Mrs. Enthusiast felt much the same.

I'm glad that you are feeling better, scarletwoman.

[japple]

4. Oh this sounds wonderful. I've loved all the Ivan Doig books, how

he writes as though it is a first-person narrative. I'm sure it is what everyone else likes about his writing as well. Like you said--being thoroughly transported back to that time and place.

[hippywife]

5. Ivan Doig is without a doubt one of my most favorite authors.

I've thoroughly enjoyed every thing I've read and have read most of his work at this point. I was first introduced to his work years ago when Diane Rehm talked about Dancing at the Rascal Fair (1987) being one of her all time favorite books, and this was decades after it was written and a long time since she first read it, as well.

From there, I went on to begin reading his entire catalog. I haven't finished doing so but that's only because of reading so many other things I've wanted to read, but definitely will.

Anyone wishing to read the aforementioned book recommended by Ms. Rehm should know that it is a sequel to English Creek (1984). I didn't know that (hadn't researched his bibliography beforehand) and read them out of order, which didn't in any way affect my enjoyment of the book, especially in these days of the prequel, but it might make a difference for those of you who prefer reading such in the original order.