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8th out of 90 books
—
18 voters
The Navigator of New York
Wayne Johnston’s breakthrough epic novel The Colony of Unrequited Dreams was published in several countries and given high praise from the critics. It earned him nominations for the highest fiction prizes in Canada and was a national bestseller. His American editor said he hadn’t found such an exciting author since he discovered Don DeLillo. Johnston, who has been writing...more
Paperback, 496 pages
Published
September 9th 2003
by Vintage Canada
(first published September 3rd 2002)
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This book had great bits, and it definitely had its flaws. I chose it to provide background to my trip to Canada, and Johnston is one of Canada's best writers. In the book, Devlin Stead is Luke Skywalker, his mother Amelia Stead is Princess Padme, and real-life hoaxer Dr. Frederick Cook appears as Darth Vader. Devlin finds his real father halfway through the book and somehow remains oblivious to his "dark side" until the last five chapters.
I had two major problems with the book: Devlin is one of...more
I had two major problems with the book: Devlin is one of...more
Very interesting. Slow start to the beginning, and the middle, but the end wrapped up nicely. Definitely a different book for me. I've had this book for quite a while now and until I started reading it I really had no idea what it was about. I can't say I gave any thought to the discovery of the North Pole and the age when it happened, so I have learned a lot. Now I can tell you about Robert Peary and Frederick Cook and I have some idea of what it would have been like trying to make a run for th...more
My favourite Johnston book will probably always be "Baltimore's Mansion." It has an emotional urgency that Navigator lacks.
For me, the fatal flaw of Navigator was the narration that endlessly cycled and recycled the same thoughts and questions. It deadened the action, and without it, a more nimble book would probably emerge, fifty or a hundred pages fewer. A stronger editorial hand might have focused the plot more towards drama rather than the melodrama that emerged.
But the narration also did...more
For me, the fatal flaw of Navigator was the narration that endlessly cycled and recycled the same thoughts and questions. It deadened the action, and without it, a more nimble book would probably emerge, fifty or a hundred pages fewer. A stronger editorial hand might have focused the plot more towards drama rather than the melodrama that emerged.
But the narration also did...more
Jul 25, 2011
Roy
added it
As a child in St Johns , orphan Devlin Stead lives with his taciturn Uncle Edward and his benevolent Aunt Daphne. He grows up an outcast and a loner , until one day his uncle hands him an extraordinary letter from the explorer Dr Fred C. Cook - the first of a series of letters that will change everything he ever thought he knew about himself . Devlin sails to New York to become Dr Cook 's protege . There he falls in love with a young woman with an astonishing connection to his birth mother . Eve...more
Sep 04, 2009
Alison Morgan
is currently reading it
It's a race against time . . . have to finish this by Tuesday! Only 1/4 of the way through!
I'm reading this book by Newfoundland author Wayne Johnston on recommendation from my mom, who saw him speak at the Fry (Frye? Frey? Frie? Frieye? I'm too lazy to google it) literary festival this spring. She liked him because he cleverly slammed an overly pretentious comment made by Jane Urquhart (whose writing I like, but come on, no excuse for being overly pretentious). So far, it's too early to tell w...more
I'm reading this book by Newfoundland author Wayne Johnston on recommendation from my mom, who saw him speak at the Fry (Frye? Frey? Frie? Frieye? I'm too lazy to google it) literary festival this spring. She liked him because he cleverly slammed an overly pretentious comment made by Jane Urquhart (whose writing I like, but come on, no excuse for being overly pretentious). So far, it's too early to tell w...more
Dec 02, 2008
Tom
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who has a connection to ice and cold.
Recommended to Tom by:
Linda Lekie
I have not been so engrossed in a novel in quite some time. I found myself reading it the last few nights when I found myself alert in the middle of the night, between dream states where I wandered paths in faraway lands. This book of historical fiction has everything for me: the familiar setting (Newfoundland), the quality of the writing ( prizewinning Canadian author), and a depth of connection between characters that reflects the austere self-sacrifice that so often characterizes the spirit o...more
There is something to be said for not reading the book cover, as it will devulge the story before you read it!
I strongly disagree with those who picked "The Navigator of New York" over Yann Martel's "Life of Pi" for the Canada Reads series on CBC Radio. I would recommend this book as I enjoyed Johnston's writing and descriptions of the Arctic, and of New York in the late 1800s/early 1900s, however, I found the continual renditions and additions to the past a bit over-the-top.
I strongly disagree with those who picked "The Navigator of New York" over Yann Martel's "Life of Pi" for the Canada Reads series on CBC Radio. I would recommend this book as I enjoyed Johnston's writing and descriptions of the Arctic, and of New York in the late 1800s/early 1900s, however, I found the continual renditions and additions to the past a bit over-the-top.
Read this on our drive back from Yellowstone. An engaging, page turner with sometimes short chapters. Interesting that the voice was entirely from the viewpoint of the Devlin, the narrator. Even though the story unfolded through him, I felt like he was somewhat a flat character. There was never any physical description of him given, so I never had a picture of him in my mind's eye. I would like to have warmed up to him a bit more.
Aug 29, 2007
Silvercharmer
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
modernlit,
historical-fiction
This is not a book I would have picked up on my own had it not been written by my thesis advisor, as the subject matter wasn't necessarily up my alley. But he read my science fiction mess, so I certainly felt I owed it to him to read it, and (not to my surprise) I really enjoyed it. I had no question that Wayne knew how to write a good sentence, and indeed line by line the prose here is about as good as it gets. The story is interesting too, and while not a fast paced book, you find yourself eag...more
This is somewhat of a conventional book. The author is not very lyrical, and the story is predictable. However, it is a long story that manages to remain interesting, even though I really wasn't intrigued by the subject matter. I didn't like the letters that were interspersed with narrative near the beginning, although I commend the authors attempt at writing 2 different voices. I also found the narrator's voice was convincing as a child, but unconvincing as an adult. All together, if the subjec...more
Being a fan of The Colony of Unrequited Dreams and The Keeper of Paradise, I was looking forward to this book. Although not quite as captivating as Dreams, I did enjoy it very much. I like Johnston's style of writing. There were times in this book, though, that I thought he was including too much superfluous detail, making it a rather long read. Did really like it though.
First book I've read by this author. What a marvellous writer! I love his
style, and his descriptions, and his choice of subject matter. He does an
amazing job of weaving historical fact and novelized fiction into a seamless
story that pulls you effortlessly from page to page.
The story is primarily set in Newfoundland and New York at the turn of the
20th century and follows the life of Devlin Stead and Frederick Cook who are
involved with the scientific community and with the "discovery" of the North...more
style, and his descriptions, and his choice of subject matter. He does an
amazing job of weaving historical fact and novelized fiction into a seamless
story that pulls you effortlessly from page to page.
The story is primarily set in Newfoundland and New York at the turn of the
20th century and follows the life of Devlin Stead and Frederick Cook who are
involved with the scientific community and with the "discovery" of the North...more
...I really wanted to like it, but to be honest, it was kind of a chore to get through. Parts of it were exciting, loved the descriptions of New York and the arctic regions at the turn of the last century, but in between was a lot of navel gazing. Reading along for page after page as a character is speculating about his/her place in the world is just not my thing.
Historical fiction about the polar explorers (ie during the time of Pearl and Cook). Devlin Stead is an orphan growing up in Newfoundland – his father perished in the Arctic after abandoning him and his mother and is mother is actual murdered by father. It is a very dark novel but interesting for the historical aspects.
Long slow book, engagingly written, but a little too drawn out for my tastes. A writer who expects to hold a reader through nearly 500 pages had better have some pretty riveting stuff to make the investment of time worthwhile. This book doesen't quite deliver. The plot developments seem contrived, shocking revelations revealed at regular intervals. Just when the reader is nodding off from soporific detail another secret from the past pops up. And the revelations aren't that shattering.
The book i...more
The book i...more
I read the book with interest although it has some flaws.The story is about Cook and Peary`s rivalry for reaching the North Pole but the writer has put many fiction here as well. The main character is Devlin Stead and he is telling his story of revealing family secrets.After many misfortunes and fate twists he discovers that his real father is no one else but Frederick Cook himself. He moves in his house and joins his expeditions during which Cook reveals his soul to Devlin.
I liked the descripti...more
I liked the descripti...more
Never read a book like this really. Fictional novel around real characters and events - the competition between Cook and Peary to reach the North Pole is a key component of the novel but events and characters are made up. Enjoyed the book but ...not sure such a novel is my cup of ta.
I'm not sure yet how I feel about this book. There was something so odd about the characters and the language - so stiff and unnatural that it almost seemed like they were joking when they weren't, or as though they were caricatures rather than real people. It didn't help that the subject matter of Arctic exploration didn't appeal to me at all, or at least this treatment didn't. Yet parts of it were quite enjoyable and even riveting.
My research (a.k.a. 3 minutes of Google) suggests that the bas...more
My research (a.k.a. 3 minutes of Google) suggests that the bas...more
The writing in this novel and others by Wayne Johnston is enough to recommend the novel, let alone the actual story. His prose carries the reader along in a vivid bookscape of imagery and intense emotions. You don't need to know what it is about to know that you will enjoy it.
One thing I quite liked about this was that it's written in an old-fashioned style that matches the time period of the story. I really did feel as though I was reading a novel from the early 20th Century. There are also some great descriptions of the polar explorations, and I liked the Aunt Daphne character a lot.
However, I felt that the plot was a bit too convoluted. Just when you think Dr. Cook can't possibly have any more revelations to make, he comes up with some other aspect of the story th...more
However, I felt that the plot was a bit too convoluted. Just when you think Dr. Cook can't possibly have any more revelations to make, he comes up with some other aspect of the story th...more
Its been a while since I read it. While I enjoyed the St. John's setting, since it is where I've lived for the past couple of decades, the ending chapters are bizarre. Not sure what he intended but much of it must have been lost on me.
Apr 29, 2012
Joyce
added it
even though it is a work of fiction, I truly enjoyed the history. It compelled me to do further research on the life of Dr. frederick cook and Captain Peary. Wayne Johnston is a compelling story teller with beautiful narrative.
Now THIS was much more to my taste than "Colony of Unrequited Dreams". Old fashioned heroism, 19th century romanticism, and characters that complete satisfying personal quests. What more can you ask from a novel?
Enjoyed it, and found myself surprisingly captivated. I think the background of Cook/Peary and the eccentricity of arctic exploration in the Victorian era makes some of the plot twists easier to take.
One of those books whose characters frustrate me with their inability to be flexible, enjoy life and be nonjudgmental. Nonetheless, well-written story about a time and place I know little about.
I may finish this book, one day. But it didn't resonate with me. Not sure why not, but the writing seemed pedestrian — competent, perhaps even good, but just not for me.
Took a while to get going, but after the first 100 pages or so it was difficult to put down. Some interesting twists, and makes you want to learn more about polar exploration.
Couldn't finish. Johnston is a fine writer but I just can't take stories set in the Arctic, even partly. Maybe during a prolonged heat wave but not otherwise.
I am loving this book, it would make a great film. I picked the book up since I lived in New York and I enjoy reading books with a New York theme. It is fast read, the book has some letters in it - that is becoming a lost art.
I found the writing style rather stilted and tedious the story was good but so drawn out it was almost as though the author was repeating himself
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“Nothing so reminds you like the sea that the enemy of life is not death but loneliness.”
—
2 people liked it
“You are, Devlin, too young to understand how rare a thing true love is, how unlikely in this world to happen, and when it does, how unlikely to endure. And once it is lost, how hard to live without.”
—
2 people liked it
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