The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon

     A story, told through the eyes of a child can be magical and full of expectation.  I am so happy that I took a chance to relive a childhood through someone else's eyes.  It's books like this one, The Doldrums, by Nicholas Gannon, that allow you to regress, to become a child again and dream dreams so large, you almost escape reality.        I say almost escape, because as hard as the children tried, they couldn't get away and venture out on their own (but this is only Book One).  

     The Doldrums is a story of family, dreams, ambition, and the desire to do something so different, you will more than likely fall into danger.  Every step Archer, Adélaïde and Oliver took was full of possible adventure, and exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Helmsley wanted to protect him from!  Even so, the desire to "GO" was strong.  It reminded me so much of me- I fell for the book hook, line and sinker!  

     Archer is a boy, born into adventure.  His grandparents, stranded on a glacier, are missing and may never be heard from again.  Archer's mother, who doesn't like to speak of her in-laws, can't stand the idea of Archer going anywhere without her or her husband.  She was so worried about their influence on her son, she practically made him a prisoner in his home!  So she became over-protective and over-bearing.  So what does Archer wish to do?  Escape!  Get away!  Have an adventure!  So he gets together with his two friends and they set to do just that.      With illustrations that are rich and full of simple beauty, you feel you can step into the world of the Helmsley's.  My son and I read the story, giving our own impressions of what we thought they sounded like.  It made the tale a blast to read and has us looking forward to Book Two! I'm not sure when it releases, but I plan on following Gannon on Twitter for more information. 

​     The story is wonderful- check it out for yourself, while I move into another read.  Cheers!