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Watching for Mermaids
As a young boy, rounding a bend in a remote Maine cove, Dave Roper stumbled upon two mermaids. No one believed him then. No one believes him now. But he kept watching and what is imagined and what is real? And while he watched and wondered during 50 years of waterborne life – as a boy, a teen, an adult, a father – what he pulled from the sea was not another mermaid, but the mystery, possibility, romance, joy, fear, and uncertainty that mermaids represent. Based on real experiences, these 30 stories take you on that journey. Once aboard you Share the fantasy world of a teenage solo cruising sailor as he meets his biggest a 22 year old woman. Enter the frenzied mind of a young man who falls overboard 300 miles from shore at night and looks death in the eye. Push down a few beers with Big Red, a legendary Mississippi River pilot, and experience the hard-scrabble world of river life. Climb aboard a 135 foot Mississippi River sternwheeler headed straight into a tornado, with 300 oblivious wedding guests on board. Join a young delivery skipper as he takes two very uncertain aspiring voyagers on world’s shortest circumnavigation attempt… aboard a floating Winnebago. Probe deep up a saltwater creek to meet the reclusive King of Yurtdom and his technology-free world of Mongolian tribal huts. Experience a 50th wedding anniversary at sea and a coincidence right out of the Twilight Zone. Cheer for an octogenarian as his grandson kidnaps him from the clutches of a nursing home for one long last sail on his old wooden sloop. So fill your favorite mug, settle into that stuffed reading chair, poke the stove a few times, and dive into Dave Roper’s new book, Watching for Mermaids.
184 pages, Paperback
First published December 21, 2011
4 people are currently reading
873 people want to read
About the author
David H. Roper
9 books24 followersDave Roper has been a professional writer and speaker for over 25 years. Next to sailing, telling and writing stories is his favorite pastime. His new book, Watching for Mermaids (Points East Publishing, Inc.), will be available January 2012. His writing has been published in eighteen languages. Author of the Time Warner book Getting the Job You Want Now!, Dave is also a regular columnist for Points East Magazine and has written numerous feature stories for Cruising World, DownEast Guide, Lakeland Boating, Sail, Sailing, Reader’s Digest, and The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly. Dave has been a yacht delivery skipper, captain of a 135’ Mississippi River sternwheel cruise ship, and life-long cruiser along the coast of Maine, most recently aboard his 31’ Independence sloop, Elsa Marie. Dave is also the founder and director of A-Script, a career advisory and resume writing firm located in Marblehead, MA since 1982.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 27, 2012
I received “Watching For Mermaids” by David H. Roper as a Goodreads Giveaway.
First of all: You can laugh at me, but I do believe, that the author has really seen those mermaids. (I think, maybe they were Selkies – with their seal-skins only half-shed. Though, how would I know.)
There are quite a few typos. Usually I would start a rant, but for some reason I don't think that perfect editing is so important for this story. (Couldn't harm, either; but still)
How everything is told made me feel like actually listening to another person sharing his story.
I tried to 'listen' closely, because I believe one person can always learn from another.
I read about the lessons life and the people around him have taught David Roper.
So, I do have some stuff to think about. From daily things, seen through other eyes, to things I have never been confronted with.
I hope the author keeps watching for mermaids. I think, it's not so much knowing where to look, but knowing how to look.
First of all: You can laugh at me, but I do believe, that the author has really seen those mermaids. (I think, maybe they were Selkies – with their seal-skins only half-shed. Though, how would I know.)
There are quite a few typos. Usually I would start a rant, but for some reason I don't think that perfect editing is so important for this story. (Couldn't harm, either; but still)
How everything is told made me feel like actually listening to another person sharing his story.
I tried to 'listen' closely, because I believe one person can always learn from another.
I read about the lessons life and the people around him have taught David Roper.
So, I do have some stuff to think about. From daily things, seen through other eyes, to things I have never been confronted with.
I hope the author keeps watching for mermaids. I think, it's not so much knowing where to look, but knowing how to look.
February 14, 2013
I only give 5 stars to books i intend to re-read later on. This is a delight, lots of great characters, especially David as he goes from childhood to adulthood. The underlying theme that there is a special "guardian" in our lives rings true. The affection of a family man to those around him who he loves is so genuine, as genuine as his love of the sea.
I chose this book to discuss with my book club. David joined us by phone. He is so generous with his time and delight in literature. It was a very engaging discussion!
Also, I believe in mermaids!
I chose this book to discuss with my book club. David joined us by phone. He is so generous with his time and delight in literature. It was a very engaging discussion!
Also, I believe in mermaids!
July 5, 2015
I loved this little gem of a book! So much wisdom wrapped up in these short story memories of life on the sea. Got this at the library but will buy a copy if I ever see one out and about…something I would want to re-read whenever need a reminder about life, death, and what is important in life.
June 21, 2017
I could have read another book full of these stories. Yes, they are related to sailing but the stories are about so much more.
August 16, 2017
Magical.
March 2, 2012
I received book through a goodreads giveaway.
David H. Roper has written a heartfelt and touching memoir regaling us with stories of his sailing adventures. He writes of his childhood spent off the coast of Maine with his father and grandfather learning the craft of sailing and the dream of spending his life on the water.
Throughout the 30 stories contained in the book there are plenty of humorous situations like the time when he was 17 and met an older woman of 21 who he took sailing where they ended up jumping naked off his boat and swimming to shore (shriveled as David describes), to light a fire only to have the evening cut short when an ember from the fire burned the girl's leg. Or the time he was hired on as captain to take a couple and their two "rats or small dogs" intent on sailing to the Carribean from Rhode Island to Norfolk, Virginia where they would set off on their own. But the sea became rough, the wife and two dogs seasick, and panic gripped the couple who demanded David to turn around and head back.
The book contains many touching stories of family bonding and a grandson taking his grandfather on his last sail aboard a well weathered old sailboat before he passed away.
I very much enjoyed this book. The stories were well told making me feel like I was fortunate to be welcomed into the lives of a truly loving family. I found myself disappointed when I had read the last word, wanting to keep reading of the adventures. This is a wonderful feel good book that everyone should pick up and take on vacation or read on a rainy day with a cup of tea.
David H. Roper has written a heartfelt and touching memoir regaling us with stories of his sailing adventures. He writes of his childhood spent off the coast of Maine with his father and grandfather learning the craft of sailing and the dream of spending his life on the water.
Throughout the 30 stories contained in the book there are plenty of humorous situations like the time when he was 17 and met an older woman of 21 who he took sailing where they ended up jumping naked off his boat and swimming to shore (shriveled as David describes), to light a fire only to have the evening cut short when an ember from the fire burned the girl's leg. Or the time he was hired on as captain to take a couple and their two "rats or small dogs" intent on sailing to the Carribean from Rhode Island to Norfolk, Virginia where they would set off on their own. But the sea became rough, the wife and two dogs seasick, and panic gripped the couple who demanded David to turn around and head back.
The book contains many touching stories of family bonding and a grandson taking his grandfather on his last sail aboard a well weathered old sailboat before he passed away.
I very much enjoyed this book. The stories were well told making me feel like I was fortunate to be welcomed into the lives of a truly loving family. I found myself disappointed when I had read the last word, wanting to keep reading of the adventures. This is a wonderful feel good book that everyone should pick up and take on vacation or read on a rainy day with a cup of tea.
March 4, 2012
I won this book in Goodreads Giveaways.
Overall, I enjoyed it. David H. Roper's writing was mesmerizing. In some parts, though, I found it a little over-descriptive, but okay, it wasn't annoying. I particularly liked the stories: Behind Her Mona Lisa Smile, In Search Of Simplicity and Fly Away, Old Buddy. There were some parts really funny and I caught myself laughing out loud like a lunatic person. For those people, like me, who've never had any experience in boats and sailing and the call of wild nature and stuff, Roper gives us a magical experience of the ancient sea world.
And, for some weird reason, I truly believe that he saw these 2 mermaids when he was a kid.
A good book, with funny and educating stories. I look forward to more books from this talented writer.
Overall, I enjoyed it. David H. Roper's writing was mesmerizing. In some parts, though, I found it a little over-descriptive, but okay, it wasn't annoying. I particularly liked the stories: Behind Her Mona Lisa Smile, In Search Of Simplicity and Fly Away, Old Buddy. There were some parts really funny and I caught myself laughing out loud like a lunatic person. For those people, like me, who've never had any experience in boats and sailing and the call of wild nature and stuff, Roper gives us a magical experience of the ancient sea world.
And, for some weird reason, I truly believe that he saw these 2 mermaids when he was a kid.
A good book, with funny and educating stories. I look forward to more books from this talented writer.
April 21, 2012
I won this book as part of Goodreads Firstreads program, my full review is Here
March 8, 2012
Fun short tales that make me want to go sailing, with a professional at the helm of course.
May 15, 2012
Lovely memories of fine days afloat (and the occasional terror).
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews