What the Ship Remembers

In the case of this story, it is difficult not to heap superlative on superlative. I'm an avid reader of GA-stories, and have been over the past three/four years.  Yet I simply must confess that among the many dozens this one is one of three I don't hesitate to praise most. Not only because it is - as a historical tale - superbly researched, though yes: it is, far more so than most in this genre. Not only because it is structured in such a way that after each chapter you simply want to read on - though yes: it does do that to you. Not only because it is wonderfully well-written, with a secure sense of style absolutely rare for GA - as, alas I have to say. And not, last but not least, because it leaves you feeling deeply for the men involved - both the two protagonists and the minor characters among who they live - though it does precisely do that. It is because all these factors come together to make this a tale that deserves to be put between two paper covers. Standing in a bookshop, I'd buy it immediately after having read only one page. And I'd ask the shop assistant if there are other novels by this author.  

I enjoyed this story immenseley and was engrosed in life aboard ship.

The use of correspondence through letters made me curious and I learned that sailors at the time did indeed write letters home and that the Royal Navy facilitated their passage to and fro - even when ships were on voyages a long way from home it would be possible to send letters sporadically through ports and other Royal Navy ships.

Easily in my top reading experiences on GA - the writing is really wonderful.  Peter's earlier review sums it up prefectly.  What an enjoyable read.

134,000 words of emotional rollercoasters. Easily one of the best stories of the 600+ I’ve read here over the years.

if it were a physical painting one would be struck by the intensity of the colours, here it’s the intensity of emotions - a complete palette of them - hidden, suppressed, unacknowledged, feared, and at odd moments expressed, that makes this, for me a truly very good piece of writing.

kudos to the author and, like Oliver Twist, my bowl is empty and I’m hungry for more of @andy cannon’s writing.   Thank you.