Chasing the Sun

by R.M. Ballantyne

Our Highlander was particularly successful about this time with his gun. The number of birds that he shot and stuffed was enormous. Whenever a calm prevailed, he took the light little Norse boat that had been purchased at Bergen, and went off to the nearest island with his gun. On these occasions he was usually accompanied by Sam, whose love for sketching was quite equal to that of his companion for bird-shooting and stuffing. Fred, of course went to keep them company, and was wont to carry with him a rod, as well as a gun, for he was passionately fond of fishing.

94 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1873

About the author

R. M. Ballantyne was a Scottish writer of juvenile fiction.

Born Robert Michael Ballantyne in Edinburgh, he was part of a famous family of printers and publishers. At the age of 16 he went to Canada and where he served for six years with the Hudson's Bay Company. He returned to Scotland in 1847, and published his first book the following year, Hudson's Bay: or Life in the Wilds of North America. For some time he was employed by Messrs Constable, the publishers, but in 1856 he gave up business for literature, and began the series of adventure stories for the young with which his name is popularly associated.

Reviews

[Annalissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

*disclaimer: I did not read this exact copy*
I've yet to meet a Ballantyne read that I do not enjoy! This book felt a good deal shorter than the others I have read by him, but still was interesting.
I did not exactly understand the purpose of their rambles... proving to themselves that the sun never set in the true North, I think? It didn't seem like a practical thing to do, to me, but then Fred Temple doesn't seem like an extremely practical man.
Like all Ballantyne books, there are serious moments as well as light-hearted ones. Ballantyne's humour is quite funny, both in his characters and his narrating voice. I truly enjoy the fact that Ballantyne does not shy away from Christian scenes or topics!

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining listening 🎶🔰

Another will written British adventure thriller short story by R. M. Ballantyne about the travel of group on a ship to the land of reindeer and Atlantic salmon plus a wedding. I would recommend this novella to readers of historical travel. Enjoy the adventure of books 🔰🏡🏰👒 2022

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is far outside the scope of the types of books I have been reading in recent years. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this well over 100-year-old adventure tale was an entertaining bit of escapism during the 2020 COVID-19 isolation period.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. I enjoyed this book, but it wasn’t my favourite of Ballantyne’s simply because I didn’t care about what the characters were trying to accomplish. I liked the characters, though. It was very humorous, which I enjoyed a lot—Ballantyne always makes me laugh!! This author is making me love his writing more and more!

A Favourite Quote: “Fred and his companions were truly Christian men. That is to say, they not only called themselves Christians, but they made it their earnest aim to walk after the example of Christ, and to exhibit their Christianity by their deeds.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Sam,’ said Fred, touching his friend’s arm, ‘look here, sketch me yonder girl, like a good fellow.’
“‘Which girl; the one with the nose?’
“‘If you see one WITHOUT a nose,’ retorted Fred, ‘I’ll be glad to have a portrait of her too.’”