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A Stroke in Time
John Whelan, champion oarsman, has all but given up on competitive rowing. On the cusp of forty, the Outer Cove fisherman is trying to accept that his time as a rower has passed. His wife agrees, telling him, “Breaking your back down on that pond, that’s a young man’s sport.” But a fracas with the Torbay rowing crew in a St. John’s tavern rekindles his desire to beat his long-time rivals in the upcoming St. John’s Regatta. With the regatta just ten months away, can he and cox Watt Power assemble a championship crew in time? The answer is the stuff of legends.
A Stroke in Time is Gerard Doran’s debut novel. Inspired by true events, this tale of the record-breaking Outer Cove rowing crew of 1901 is a tribute to the everyman hero and a dedication to the outport fishing culture of more than a century ago.
Shortlisted for the 2016 Atlantic Book Awards Margaret and John Savage First Book Award
A Stroke in Time is Gerard Doran’s debut novel. Inspired by true events, this tale of the record-breaking Outer Cove rowing crew of 1901 is a tribute to the everyman hero and a dedication to the outport fishing culture of more than a century ago.
Shortlisted for the 2016 Atlantic Book Awards Margaret and John Savage First Book Award
226 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 23, 2018
I was recently made of aware of this book via a post on social media. My father had recently visited Newfoundland to research some family history (fascinating stuff connected with Newfoundland!), and so it tickled my fancy to read about a 6 oared rowing race that family more than likely partook in.
I'm going to be up front. It wasn't quite as gripping as The Boys in the Boat, however there was the strong sense of rivalry between Outer Cove and Torbay and hardships faced with the fishing trade lifestyle well conveyed throughout the book. It took me a few pages to work out "b'y" was "short" for boy. And I did relate well with the snippets of rowing advice in the book, which shouldn't hinder non-rowers from also enjoying the read.
A stroke in time, written by local Gerard Doran, is the tale of the 1901 St John's regatta, a regatta that continues to this day. There is the lead up, with the quirks of selecting a crew and boat, the frustrations training, the wives not wishing to be a part of the rowing banter, and then the anticipation of race day. It highlights the fishing trade lifestyle, and the hardness of living from the land (and sea); the importance church plays in Sunday activities is also alluded to.
I liked the analogy to counting stokes rather than sheep to fall asleep... and "at last, he drifted off" (p45).
It is worth noting, the ultimate course record set in 1901 was held for 80 years.
It wasn't about "a stroke of luck but a stroke in time".
I'm going to be up front. It wasn't quite as gripping as The Boys in the Boat, however there was the strong sense of rivalry between Outer Cove and Torbay and hardships faced with the fishing trade lifestyle well conveyed throughout the book. It took me a few pages to work out "b'y" was "short" for boy. And I did relate well with the snippets of rowing advice in the book, which shouldn't hinder non-rowers from also enjoying the read.
A stroke in time, written by local Gerard Doran, is the tale of the 1901 St John's regatta, a regatta that continues to this day. There is the lead up, with the quirks of selecting a crew and boat, the frustrations training, the wives not wishing to be a part of the rowing banter, and then the anticipation of race day. It highlights the fishing trade lifestyle, and the hardness of living from the land (and sea); the importance church plays in Sunday activities is also alluded to.
I liked the analogy to counting stokes rather than sheep to fall asleep... and "at last, he drifted off" (p45).
It is worth noting, the ultimate course record set in 1901 was held for 80 years.
It wasn't about "a stroke of luck but a stroke in time".
Read
August 23, 2016For the full review (with a picture of the 9:13 crew), go to the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum blog:
http://logybaymiddlecoveoutercovemuse...
Have you read A Stroke in Time by Gerard Doran?
Published by Flanker Press in 2015, this historical fiction looks at the 1901 Outer Cove Fishermen's Crew who rowed 9:13 4/5 in the championship race in that year's Regatta.
It is a wonderful reimagining of that historic race, looking at the work in getting a crew together, the struggles to fit rowing into a busy fishing schedule, and the hard work and dedication that rowers continue to commit when striving for those new records on Quidi Vidi Lake.
Perhaps one of the best parts of the book is just the day-to-day life in Outer Cove. The story starts, end, and every now and then touches on the price of fish and the ability to get a good price from the merchants. It discusses the difficulty in getting a berth on a sealing ship, and the poverty that used to be common in St. John's. It also looks at Dan McCathy's struggle, wondering if he should follow his fiancée to Boston where he could also work without worrying about the merchants and their prices for fish, or stay home because leaving his mother and brother is hard.
And perhaps my interest leans that way, as I have never rowed. Working at the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum this year I have learned a great deal about the passion that goes hand-in-hand with rowing. Some crews would leave their vehicles at the museum before going to the lake, and after a good row, would run back from Quidi Vidi to the museum to visit and have some iced tea (I always made sure there was some ready on Saturday mornings). The excitement from a good practice was amazing to be around, and I would feel energized just being around the rowers. I doubt I'll ever row, but I have learned a great deal about rowing this past summer, and I will never look at the Royal St. John's Regatta the same way again. Even if I'm a townie, I'll be cheering for Outer Cove!
Back to the book, my only big complaints would be that the dialects seem to slip in and out of use. Perhaps that was on purpose. I certainly know who I'm around influences my dialect. As well, and I put this up to historical fiction liberties, there is a lot of focus on the Blue Peter, but the Outer Cove Crew rowed in the Myrtle for the Fishermen's Race and didn't row in the Blue Peter until that historic championship race.
I recommend anyone with an interest in Newfoundland, and especially an interest in rowing, to read this book. And remember, we have lots of Regatta history here at the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum, so come visit and explore more of this part of our history.
http://logybaymiddlecoveoutercovemuse...
Have you read A Stroke in Time by Gerard Doran?
Published by Flanker Press in 2015, this historical fiction looks at the 1901 Outer Cove Fishermen's Crew who rowed 9:13 4/5 in the championship race in that year's Regatta.
It is a wonderful reimagining of that historic race, looking at the work in getting a crew together, the struggles to fit rowing into a busy fishing schedule, and the hard work and dedication that rowers continue to commit when striving for those new records on Quidi Vidi Lake.
Perhaps one of the best parts of the book is just the day-to-day life in Outer Cove. The story starts, end, and every now and then touches on the price of fish and the ability to get a good price from the merchants. It discusses the difficulty in getting a berth on a sealing ship, and the poverty that used to be common in St. John's. It also looks at Dan McCathy's struggle, wondering if he should follow his fiancée to Boston where he could also work without worrying about the merchants and their prices for fish, or stay home because leaving his mother and brother is hard.
And perhaps my interest leans that way, as I have never rowed. Working at the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum this year I have learned a great deal about the passion that goes hand-in-hand with rowing. Some crews would leave their vehicles at the museum before going to the lake, and after a good row, would run back from Quidi Vidi to the museum to visit and have some iced tea (I always made sure there was some ready on Saturday mornings). The excitement from a good practice was amazing to be around, and I would feel energized just being around the rowers. I doubt I'll ever row, but I have learned a great deal about rowing this past summer, and I will never look at the Royal St. John's Regatta the same way again. Even if I'm a townie, I'll be cheering for Outer Cove!
Back to the book, my only big complaints would be that the dialects seem to slip in and out of use. Perhaps that was on purpose. I certainly know who I'm around influences my dialect. As well, and I put this up to historical fiction liberties, there is a lot of focus on the Blue Peter, but the Outer Cove Crew rowed in the Myrtle for the Fishermen's Race and didn't row in the Blue Peter until that historic championship race.
I recommend anyone with an interest in Newfoundland, and especially an interest in rowing, to read this book. And remember, we have lots of Regatta history here at the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum, so come visit and explore more of this part of our history.
Read
December 3, 2016Great historical fiction set in Newfoundland. Learned about this book from a list of nominees for the 2016 Newfoundland and Labrador History and Heritage Award and decided to check it out. I'm glad I did.
September 2, 2015
Fascinating and engrossing read- I couldn't put this book down! I'm a Newfoundlander and a rower, so I had a particular interest in this book, but I think it appeals to a broader audience as well.
April 2, 2025
The story of a rowing record that took eighty years to break.
It started with some trash talking at the pub: that a rower was over-the-hill. Goaded into competing to break the record, he forms a team of rowers hellbent on winning. A lot of the story is about rowing, “The oar slowed when it was out of the water, just like a scythe did in the air.” Providing good insights into rowing, and about how grueling the work was, “They rowed the final few strokes…stopped rowing, and collapsed on their oars, chests heaving. Martin reached back to shake Din’s hand. When he released the sweaty grip, he looked down at his hands. They had blood on them – Din’s blood.”
Yes, there were many oceanic setting descriptions, “The waters outside the Narrows gleamed white with pack ice, and a brisk east wind kept any warmth from the blinding sun at bay.” But most of all, the story was about the lives of the rowing team and their inner circle. You can see how tough the times were, and the desperation as when the kids tried to get jobs, “The younger they were, the dirtier they looked: they used dirt to disguise their age, and if often worked.” And how competitive it was to find work, “Now, stop the pushing and shoving. I will let you in the office two at a time. Do you hear me?”
I also loved the local lingo of the Newfoundlanders, “Fresh bread. Give us a slice or two that, missus. I’m gut-foundered.” And, “Aunt Kate, I needs something to eat.” And, “B’ys, slow down with the beer or I’ll never get through the night.”
There’s not a huge plot. Try to break a record. Break record. So, the storytelling comes mostly from the domestic subplots. One rower’s fiancé wants to escape the harshness of life there, “I’m tired of living hand to mouth. I’m sick of the smell of fish.” Another rower’s neighbours leave behind an orphan. Family loyalties play into it. Amongst the hard living and long hours of work at sea to make ends meet, the rowers need to try to get permission from their loved ones to follow their dream, often at someone else’s expense. Many a times the partners half pleaded/half demanded that this had to be the last time, and I don’t blame them.
All in all, a wonderful story of stories surrounding a rowing feat. I got a good sense of the region (one of my favourites) and would put it up there with The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.
It started with some trash talking at the pub: that a rower was over-the-hill. Goaded into competing to break the record, he forms a team of rowers hellbent on winning. A lot of the story is about rowing, “The oar slowed when it was out of the water, just like a scythe did in the air.” Providing good insights into rowing, and about how grueling the work was, “They rowed the final few strokes…stopped rowing, and collapsed on their oars, chests heaving. Martin reached back to shake Din’s hand. When he released the sweaty grip, he looked down at his hands. They had blood on them – Din’s blood.”
Yes, there were many oceanic setting descriptions, “The waters outside the Narrows gleamed white with pack ice, and a brisk east wind kept any warmth from the blinding sun at bay.” But most of all, the story was about the lives of the rowing team and their inner circle. You can see how tough the times were, and the desperation as when the kids tried to get jobs, “The younger they were, the dirtier they looked: they used dirt to disguise their age, and if often worked.” And how competitive it was to find work, “Now, stop the pushing and shoving. I will let you in the office two at a time. Do you hear me?”
I also loved the local lingo of the Newfoundlanders, “Fresh bread. Give us a slice or two that, missus. I’m gut-foundered.” And, “Aunt Kate, I needs something to eat.” And, “B’ys, slow down with the beer or I’ll never get through the night.”
There’s not a huge plot. Try to break a record. Break record. So, the storytelling comes mostly from the domestic subplots. One rower’s fiancé wants to escape the harshness of life there, “I’m tired of living hand to mouth. I’m sick of the smell of fish.” Another rower’s neighbours leave behind an orphan. Family loyalties play into it. Amongst the hard living and long hours of work at sea to make ends meet, the rowers need to try to get permission from their loved ones to follow their dream, often at someone else’s expense. Many a times the partners half pleaded/half demanded that this had to be the last time, and I don’t blame them.
All in all, a wonderful story of stories surrounding a rowing feat. I got a good sense of the region (one of my favourites) and would put it up there with The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.
August 27, 2015
A novel (based on historical fact) about cockleshell racing in the St.John's annual regatta.
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