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The Praying Nun - Slave Shipwreck Saga Book 1
An ivory carving recovered from an uncharted shipwreck connects modern treasure hunters to Chikunda, a slave fighting to protect his wife aboard the 1794 slave ship, The São José Paquete Africa.
As one of the ship’s discoverers, Part 1 of the novella is an adventure that puzzles over the identity of the cannons, nails and what seemed to be horse stirrups that recovered from the uncharted and wreck found and registered by this author in the 1980s.
Then, in June 2015, CNN/BBC/New York Times, etc, announced that “The Smithsonian Institute of Washington have identified a massive discovery” off our coast -- the first and only slave ship in history ever to wreck while carrying slaves, and then be found.
A sickening realization struck that those ‘horse stirrups’ were nothing of the kind… they were leg shackles.
In 1794 The São José Paquete Africa, a Portuguese slaver bound from Mozambique to Brazil with 400 aboard, wrecked behind the waves in what is today one of the world’s most iconic beaches. Of the 400 captives, 200 drowned in the holds. The 200 survivors were rounded up and marched over a mountain pass to be sold the next day in the Dutch settlement at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope.
This book is dedicated to the honor of those who died so brutally. It begins as an adventure story of exploration, recovery, and pondering over the mystery.
‘Part 2’ of the story takes the reader aboard the fated ship, where we meet Chikunda, a man of rare dignity and bearing.
Captured and sold as Chikunda and his new wife, Faith, were while traveling in Mozambique to celebrate their nuptials with her family, the carving that he had whittled with his own hands was his wedding gift to her…. It is her only tiny possession and one she refuses to surrender no matter the consequences her obstinance brings.
Wilbur Smith or Clive Cussler fans will be riveted by this fact-inspired fictional tale, based as it is by personal experience, extensive research and the legacy of artifacts salvaged from the São José de Africa. Pick it up now to go on the adventure of a lifetime.
As one of the ship’s discoverers, Part 1 of the novella is an adventure that puzzles over the identity of the cannons, nails and what seemed to be horse stirrups that recovered from the uncharted and wreck found and registered by this author in the 1980s.
Then, in June 2015, CNN/BBC/New York Times, etc, announced that “The Smithsonian Institute of Washington have identified a massive discovery” off our coast -- the first and only slave ship in history ever to wreck while carrying slaves, and then be found.
A sickening realization struck that those ‘horse stirrups’ were nothing of the kind… they were leg shackles.
In 1794 The São José Paquete Africa, a Portuguese slaver bound from Mozambique to Brazil with 400 aboard, wrecked behind the waves in what is today one of the world’s most iconic beaches. Of the 400 captives, 200 drowned in the holds. The 200 survivors were rounded up and marched over a mountain pass to be sold the next day in the Dutch settlement at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope.
This book is dedicated to the honor of those who died so brutally. It begins as an adventure story of exploration, recovery, and pondering over the mystery.
‘Part 2’ of the story takes the reader aboard the fated ship, where we meet Chikunda, a man of rare dignity and bearing.
Captured and sold as Chikunda and his new wife, Faith, were while traveling in Mozambique to celebrate their nuptials with her family, the carving that he had whittled with his own hands was his wedding gift to her…. It is her only tiny possession and one she refuses to surrender no matter the consequences her obstinance brings.
Wilbur Smith or Clive Cussler fans will be riveted by this fact-inspired fictional tale, based as it is by personal experience, extensive research and the legacy of artifacts salvaged from the São José de Africa. Pick it up now to go on the adventure of a lifetime.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
146 pages, ebook
Published April 18, 2017
29 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Michael Smorenburg
10 books157 followersMichael Smorenburg (b. 1964) grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. An entrepreneur with a passion for marketing, in 1995 Michael moved to California where he founded a business consultancy and online media and marketing engine. In 2003 he returned to South Africa where he launched then sold a security company. He is a passionate investor in Bitcoin and Crypto, operates a property management company, and writes full time.
Michael's greatest love is for the ocean and the environment. His passion is macro economics, science, understanding the cosmos, and communicating the urgent need for reason to prevail over superstition.
His dedicated author's website and pictures at: www.MichaelSmorenburg.com
Also
http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Smorenb...
Michael's greatest love is for the ocean and the environment. His passion is macro economics, science, understanding the cosmos, and communicating the urgent need for reason to prevail over superstition.
His dedicated author's website and pictures at: www.MichaelSmorenburg.com
Also
http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Smorenb...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 21, 2017
I read this book in the onve sitting. It was so well told and so energetic from the very first sentence throughout. There is a beauty in the story. the beauty of being underwater, seeing something that just can't be. The beauty of the fear of running out of oxygen. All beautifully told and yet, I was sitting on the edge of my seat as they raced against air loss and powerful storms.
The first part of this two-part book deals with modern times and the search for treasures and artifacts on the ocean floor in the oceans off of South Africa.
The second part tells the perilous journey that slaves were taken on with no free will of their own and no consideration for their safety.
The first part of this two-part book deals with modern times and the search for treasures and artifacts on the ocean floor in the oceans off of South Africa.
The second part tells the perilous journey that slaves were taken on with no free will of their own and no consideration for their safety.
February 22, 2017
The Praying Nun is a thrilling adventure novella about two South African men’s attempts to salvage objects off of a shipwreck off the coast of Africa.
Situated at the Southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is built on a dangerous stretch of coast known as the ‘graveyard of ships’. In nearby Clifton Bay, two local men – the author and his friend Jacques – suspect they’ve found artifacts from a sunken Dutch VOC ship rumored to contain gold bullion. Well, Jacques does anyway. The government office which issued their salvage permit thinks it is a coal barge that went down in the late 1800s. The author, Michael Smorenburg, believes the objects they’ve found to be from a slave ship that went down in 1794.
This novella is split into two distinct parts. The first, the mostly autobiographical portion, recounts their efforts to recover any objects or relics from the ship – a cannon, wooden beans, and lots of conglomerate – so they can correctly identify the ship before attempting to excavate it.
Conglomerate is a hardened accumulation of dirt, mud and rock that fills in and eventually encases any object left on the ocean floor. This makes it extremely difficult for divers to know exactly what they’ve found until they take the time to carefully chip the outer layer away and hope that the object doesn’t break in the process.
Jacques is only interested in the wreck if it’s the VOC ship because the gold would make the operation worth the risk and costs. But a coal freighter or slave ship wouldn’t bring any money in. Michael agrees up to a point, but is also fascinated with the possible historical value it would have, if it is indeed the slave ship. Both agree a coal freighter is not worth the risk.
Because so many ships went down in the area, it could easily be any of the three. Much hope is pinned on the recovery of a cannon that – after an extreme amount of work to remove from the wreck and get onto land – turns out to be a bust, making Jacques lean towards the coal freighter theory and begin to lose interest.
The wreck site is dangerous to reach and both men have to break off several dives attempts due to changing currents and incoming storms. This is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants operation – the men have little money to spend and rely on the goodwill of friends and acquaintances to scrap together enough equipment to dive safely.
The dives are brilliantly described. You feel as if you are in the water, fighting off exhaustion, low oxygen levels, murky visibility and biting cold, each time you go down. Their frustrations and the challenges, as well as their determination to go on, ring true thanks to the author’s ability to bring his readers ‘into the moment’.
At the end of part one, the Smithsonian Museum has correctly identified the shipwreck as the slave ship Sao Jose Paquete Africa.
Though it may seem as if this review is full of spoilers, I don’t see it that way. The novella’s strength lies in the author’s ability to make these dives and the suspense of discovery, tangible.
The second part of the novel is a fictitious historical account of the slave ship’s last days, based on the extensive records, news reports and journals found by the author in local archives, accounts written by the Captain, crew and locals who witnessed the disaster or its aftermath.
Though somewhat disturbing to read, it does add value to the book by providing a glimpse into the horrific conditions aboard.
The Praying Nun is an excellent, real-life adventure story that adventurers, amateur archaeologist, divers, treasure hunters and adventure fiction fans will love and probably relate to. I highly recommend it.
Situated at the Southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is built on a dangerous stretch of coast known as the ‘graveyard of ships’. In nearby Clifton Bay, two local men – the author and his friend Jacques – suspect they’ve found artifacts from a sunken Dutch VOC ship rumored to contain gold bullion. Well, Jacques does anyway. The government office which issued their salvage permit thinks it is a coal barge that went down in the late 1800s. The author, Michael Smorenburg, believes the objects they’ve found to be from a slave ship that went down in 1794.
This novella is split into two distinct parts. The first, the mostly autobiographical portion, recounts their efforts to recover any objects or relics from the ship – a cannon, wooden beans, and lots of conglomerate – so they can correctly identify the ship before attempting to excavate it.
Conglomerate is a hardened accumulation of dirt, mud and rock that fills in and eventually encases any object left on the ocean floor. This makes it extremely difficult for divers to know exactly what they’ve found until they take the time to carefully chip the outer layer away and hope that the object doesn’t break in the process.
Jacques is only interested in the wreck if it’s the VOC ship because the gold would make the operation worth the risk and costs. But a coal freighter or slave ship wouldn’t bring any money in. Michael agrees up to a point, but is also fascinated with the possible historical value it would have, if it is indeed the slave ship. Both agree a coal freighter is not worth the risk.
Because so many ships went down in the area, it could easily be any of the three. Much hope is pinned on the recovery of a cannon that – after an extreme amount of work to remove from the wreck and get onto land – turns out to be a bust, making Jacques lean towards the coal freighter theory and begin to lose interest.
The wreck site is dangerous to reach and both men have to break off several dives attempts due to changing currents and incoming storms. This is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants operation – the men have little money to spend and rely on the goodwill of friends and acquaintances to scrap together enough equipment to dive safely.
The dives are brilliantly described. You feel as if you are in the water, fighting off exhaustion, low oxygen levels, murky visibility and biting cold, each time you go down. Their frustrations and the challenges, as well as their determination to go on, ring true thanks to the author’s ability to bring his readers ‘into the moment’.
At the end of part one, the Smithsonian Museum has correctly identified the shipwreck as the slave ship Sao Jose Paquete Africa.
Though it may seem as if this review is full of spoilers, I don’t see it that way. The novella’s strength lies in the author’s ability to make these dives and the suspense of discovery, tangible.
The second part of the novel is a fictitious historical account of the slave ship’s last days, based on the extensive records, news reports and journals found by the author in local archives, accounts written by the Captain, crew and locals who witnessed the disaster or its aftermath.
Though somewhat disturbing to read, it does add value to the book by providing a glimpse into the horrific conditions aboard.
The Praying Nun is an excellent, real-life adventure story that adventurers, amateur archaeologist, divers, treasure hunters and adventure fiction fans will love and probably relate to. I highly recommend it.
March 23, 2019
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, there are a few words in the first part of the book that may bother more sensitive readers. Personally, I was not truly offended. Also, this book is historical fiction, easy to read, and is divided into two parts. The first part is actually a completely true story, but the second part is fictionalized. There are some disturbing parts in the second part that may be difficult to read as the reader is given a bird's eye view into how slaves were treated.
I genuinely enjoyed the second part of the book much more than the first part. I understand and appreciate that the first part had to be written in order to set up the story, and that part was certainly written well enough. I was interested, but for me, part two was the reason I chose to read the book. Part two did not disappoint. I found myself horrified as I read how these slaves were treated on the slave ship way back when. I will never understand how one human being can treat another human being that way.
The third part of the book contained some fabulous historical details and links. The author definitely knows his stuff, and I could easily get lost in everything that was written in that third part. Knowing that there was an actual slave ship that sank and was later discovered and somewhat pillaged is an intriguing part of this book.
First of all, there are a few words in the first part of the book that may bother more sensitive readers. Personally, I was not truly offended. Also, this book is historical fiction, easy to read, and is divided into two parts. The first part is actually a completely true story, but the second part is fictionalized. There are some disturbing parts in the second part that may be difficult to read as the reader is given a bird's eye view into how slaves were treated.
I genuinely enjoyed the second part of the book much more than the first part. I understand and appreciate that the first part had to be written in order to set up the story, and that part was certainly written well enough. I was interested, but for me, part two was the reason I chose to read the book. Part two did not disappoint. I found myself horrified as I read how these slaves were treated on the slave ship way back when. I will never understand how one human being can treat another human being that way.
The third part of the book contained some fabulous historical details and links. The author definitely knows his stuff, and I could easily get lost in everything that was written in that third part. Knowing that there was an actual slave ship that sank and was later discovered and somewhat pillaged is an intriguing part of this book.
August 23, 2017
The Praying Nun is a novella based on a horrendous part of the history of the Cape coast – the slave trade. Part one describes Michael Smorenburg, the author, and his wonderfully colourful mate, Jacques, diving a wreck off Clifton beach. The authorities think it is the wreck of a coal barge and the divers think it's a ship laden with gold bullion. It turns out to be that of a slave ship which ran aground in the late 1700s en route from Mozambique to Brazil. The author becomes obsessed with what looks like a giant tooth sticking out of the ancient wreckage. I absolutely loved the first half of the book – Smorenburg made me taste the salt, feel that freezing sea and imagine I was right there under water. I was totally caught up in the excitement of the treasure hunt.
Part two is a dramatisation of the true story of the voyage and shipwreck of the São José de Afrika, which was carrying hundreds of slaves, in 1794; a tale of horror and brutality, combined with human courage. I think I would have preferred the two halves of this book to have been intertwined, so that the reader was taken from the present to the past and back again. I found it a little jarring – almost like reading two short stories. Despite this reservation, I found The Praying Nun really fascinating, and enjoyed watching YouTube videos about the wreck’s subsequent salvage by an international research partnership. The artefacts from the sunken slave ship now reside in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the US.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhJUE...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgj9K...
Part two is a dramatisation of the true story of the voyage and shipwreck of the São José de Afrika, which was carrying hundreds of slaves, in 1794; a tale of horror and brutality, combined with human courage. I think I would have preferred the two halves of this book to have been intertwined, so that the reader was taken from the present to the past and back again. I found it a little jarring – almost like reading two short stories. Despite this reservation, I found The Praying Nun really fascinating, and enjoyed watching YouTube videos about the wreck’s subsequent salvage by an international research partnership. The artefacts from the sunken slave ship now reside in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the US.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhJUE...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgj9K...
September 8, 2017
An astoundingly fantastic read! I absolutely couldn't put it down! I truly hope we are going to be treated to the sequel! Its as close to my favourite author, Wilbur Smith, as I have ever come!! I am off to my local bookstore this morning to buy ALL the others by the same Author! HUGE Congrats on an excellent work of art, and Thank you for my time travel.
September 27, 2017
I loved this book, I found it exceptionally well written and a joy to read.
This book showed me a new part of Cape Town's rich and amazing history and I am so happy to have read it.
I really enjoyed the changes in the timeline and knowing that parts of this story are based on the authors life, make it all the more enjoyable to read.
This book showed me a new part of Cape Town's rich and amazing history and I am so happy to have read it.
I really enjoyed the changes in the timeline and knowing that parts of this story are based on the authors life, make it all the more enjoyable to read.
March 8, 2018
An enthralling combination of non-fiction for the most part, combined with fiction at the end to round off a great read. This book brings the journey of a doomed slave ship to life, through the author's diving expeditions during his youth. Highly recommended.
June 4, 2019
Michael has a real knack for analogous description and using seemingly throwaway details to help a scene come to life with his interesting commentary. His in-depth knowledge of diving, shipwreck salvage, and the South African coast is the core strength of this novella, with his fascination in history a close second. The story is divided into two distinct parts: modern day and 1794. Arguably, the most gripping story is the author's own experience. His attention to detail and often-times amusing anecdotes give the reader enough expertise and confidence to transport you under the waves, exploring these incredible wrecks in a turbulent sea, without distracting from the main story. That being said, part 2, a fictional interpretation of what may have happened to one of these said wrecks, is a welcome change of pace and style. Essentially, The Praying Nun is two stories in one. While it is clear the author was experimenting with ideas and styles with the first entry in his saga, his wonderful writing makes it nonetheless an incredibly enjoyable experience!
September 27, 2017
An absolutely awesome book, I couldn't put it down and now I very eagerly await the sequel!!! Thanks for an awesome TIME totally engrossed!
February 24, 2017
he novella is broken into two sections. The first is a memoir of sorts where Michael and Jacques (not his real name) dive along the coasts of Cape Town, South Africa, specifically at Camps Bay and the surrounding beaches. They find a wreckage that may have been carrying bullion, a possible sunken ship carrying treasure that has been dismissed as a coal barge. However Michael has his own little treasure he hopes to uncover, buried deep in the reef.
The second part of the novella is a fictionalized telling of the floundering of the São José de Afrika on the reef of 2nd Beach in Clifton. It follows the slave Chikunda and his wife. They are newly wed, and experience the harsh life of being slaves on the ship. As a wedding gift, Chikunda had whittled ivory into the shape of his wife as a Nun, a praying nun. When the ship crashes, they hope to escape from their owners and Chikunda's wife hopes to salvage her ivory gift but knows she cannot and drop it into the waters.
Writing
This is one of my favourite works by Michael. The first part anyway. It's written with in-depth details that speak of a true first-hand experience. His account as the second person to ever dive the São José, is a rich comprehensive unfolding of his real life discovery of a Praying Nun statuette. A similar one to the rock feature located on the beach of Maidens Cove. The description put me right there in the water with Mike and Jacques, allowing me to experience the frustrations of the changing tides, and to feel the apprehension of making a major discovery. Really fantastic writing.
A riveting read I swept through in one sitting.
The second part of the novella is a fictionalized telling of the floundering of the São José de Afrika on the reef of 2nd Beach in Clifton. It follows the slave Chikunda and his wife. They are newly wed, and experience the harsh life of being slaves on the ship. As a wedding gift, Chikunda had whittled ivory into the shape of his wife as a Nun, a praying nun. When the ship crashes, they hope to escape from their owners and Chikunda's wife hopes to salvage her ivory gift but knows she cannot and drop it into the waters.
Writing
This is one of my favourite works by Michael. The first part anyway. It's written with in-depth details that speak of a true first-hand experience. His account as the second person to ever dive the São José, is a rich comprehensive unfolding of his real life discovery of a Praying Nun statuette. A similar one to the rock feature located on the beach of Maidens Cove. The description put me right there in the water with Mike and Jacques, allowing me to experience the frustrations of the changing tides, and to feel the apprehension of making a major discovery. Really fantastic writing.
A riveting read I swept through in one sitting.
February 4, 2021
Michael Smorenburg has produced a short, but none the less captivating story, combining fiction with true events, which though slightly embellished have left me feeling shocked and heart sore to the core. Don’t let this dissuade you though, sometimes through pain comes a renewed sense of needing to understand. Which is exactly what has happened to me.
The Book
The Praying Nun is divided into two distinct parts. Part 1 tells of two scuba divers, each with their own personal ambition for finding success and wealth while secluded under the salty waves of the Atlantic Ocean in search of a sunken ship laden with treasure. Part 2 tells us of the ship which the two divers find, the São José-Paquete de Africa, sunk in 1974 claiming the lives of approximately half of the 400 ‘native’ slaves that were on board.
Though embellished in retelling, there is something in his words which has left me desperate to know as much as I can;
Part 2 of The Praying Nun was bitterly difficult to read, purely because as I read I felt my fear rise up, the dread for what lay ahead and the absolute desperation that must’ve been felt by those who were shackled and left below decks. I was as immersed in the experience as if I myself had been there myself.
On board, we follow the character of Chikunda, (Christian). Through this character we are afforded the opportunity to explore human nature at its most despicable, as well as at its most human. Alfonso Oliveria, the ships Bosun views all slaves as merely a commodity. He has no regard for human life and finds a sick pleasure in branding, urinating on and lashing the captives. In comparison the Captain, who on discovering that Chikunda and his wife Mkiwa (Faith) are Christian has them removed from the confines below deck, stating “It is against the law to hold a Christian as a slave". In this they find they have been saved from inhumane conditions, though not from the fate that awaits them on berthing.
Conclusion
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical and era set books. For those who battle with following human rights abuse it may be difficult to read though I assure you that there is a beautiful ending which makes the indignity suffered by the unnamed victims a little easier to swallow.
If you’ve read Michael’s other books, you will find this to be a very different side of his writing.
You can find the full review provided for Mystery Thriller Week 2017 here: http://tbbmaniacs.wixsite.com/reviews...
The Book
The Praying Nun is divided into two distinct parts. Part 1 tells of two scuba divers, each with their own personal ambition for finding success and wealth while secluded under the salty waves of the Atlantic Ocean in search of a sunken ship laden with treasure. Part 2 tells us of the ship which the two divers find, the São José-Paquete de Africa, sunk in 1974 claiming the lives of approximately half of the 400 ‘native’ slaves that were on board.
Though embellished in retelling, there is something in his words which has left me desperate to know as much as I can;
“…there’s as much treasure in the human spirit and our history books as in any deadweight of gold”
Part 2 of The Praying Nun was bitterly difficult to read, purely because as I read I felt my fear rise up, the dread for what lay ahead and the absolute desperation that must’ve been felt by those who were shackled and left below decks. I was as immersed in the experience as if I myself had been there myself.
On board, we follow the character of Chikunda, (Christian). Through this character we are afforded the opportunity to explore human nature at its most despicable, as well as at its most human. Alfonso Oliveria, the ships Bosun views all slaves as merely a commodity. He has no regard for human life and finds a sick pleasure in branding, urinating on and lashing the captives. In comparison the Captain, who on discovering that Chikunda and his wife Mkiwa (Faith) are Christian has them removed from the confines below deck, stating “It is against the law to hold a Christian as a slave". In this they find they have been saved from inhumane conditions, though not from the fate that awaits them on berthing.
Conclusion
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical and era set books. For those who battle with following human rights abuse it may be difficult to read though I assure you that there is a beautiful ending which makes the indignity suffered by the unnamed victims a little easier to swallow.
If you’ve read Michael’s other books, you will find this to be a very different side of his writing.
You can find the full review provided for Mystery Thriller Week 2017 here: http://tbbmaniacs.wixsite.com/reviews...
February 19, 2017
I love how the author blended nostalgia and mystery to make one of my favourite places come alive in this story. The characters are rich and likable and I would love to know what happened to them next, beyond this scintillating and informative story. It was a treat to learn something new, or perhaps historic, about a place I thought I knew. It has been enriched with history and the experience of others through this true story.
Although the format of the story is Novella, and by nature is not a long read, I think future novels could easily include any one of the amazing characters and again be set in the beautiful and colourful Atlantic Seaboard, or Cape Town even.
Although the format of the story is Novella, and by nature is not a long read, I think future novels could easily include any one of the amazing characters and again be set in the beautiful and colourful Atlantic Seaboard, or Cape Town even.
January 8, 2017
I am not much of a fan of the "novella" format, instead preferring to look for the biggest, meanest book I can find.. With an author like this, the limitations of the format is even further highlighted..
Reading an excellent book by an excellent author that is all done and dusted in 2-3 hours, leaves me feeling let down, as I wanted the story to go on and on and on..
This is of course a comment on the novella format and at the same time a compliment to the author, who leaves me wishing the story would please not end now already..
Excellent descriptions, taking you back in time and really getting you riled up inside. Excellent, flipping fantastic.
Reading an excellent book by an excellent author that is all done and dusted in 2-3 hours, leaves me feeling let down, as I wanted the story to go on and on and on..
This is of course a comment on the novella format and at the same time a compliment to the author, who leaves me wishing the story would please not end now already..
Excellent descriptions, taking you back in time and really getting you riled up inside. Excellent, flipping fantastic.
May 9, 2019
This is a very good book, but I did experience some confusion re the arrangement of chapters in the ebook. I'm not sure if this was intentional or accidental, but there's a sequence of events in Part 1 of the book, that's interrupted by a boating/diving expedition with no form of context to explain it. That was a little off-putting, but as I'd enjoyed reading this pacy novel until that point there was no hesitation about continueing.
Other than that, this is an very good, well-written, well-researched book with enough facts to ground it in reality and all the action and intrigue of a fictionalised account to keep those pages turning. Highly recommended.
Other than that, this is an very good, well-written, well-researched book with enough facts to ground it in reality and all the action and intrigue of a fictionalised account to keep those pages turning. Highly recommended.
June 6, 2018
This delightful short book gave me a fascinating window into a diving world of two young men who love the ocean. It was captivating for me even though I have zero interest (and experience) in diving. The second part of the book provides a poetic glimpse of the tragedy of slave trade; it was too short for my expectation and this is reflected in my low rating of the book.
January 8, 2017
This is a must for Wilbur Smith fans and fans of historical fiction. This is a novella that feels like a novel in its scope and breadth. Set over several centuries, it encompasses modern day diving and wreck hunting action with extremely well researched and well written historical fiction. The story and characters will hook you in, across both timelines. Highly recommended.
Read
January 8, 2017Brought the essence of Clifton, South Africa, to life. Felt like I was living it with the author and that I knew the characters personally.
Really enjoyed reading it.
A fast read, took only a couple of hours.
Really enjoyed reading it.
A fast read, took only a couple of hours.
September 18, 2017
I really enjoyed the book, I would have liked it to be longer! I loved the mixing of history with a story. Having grown up in this area made the descriptions so real for me 😊
Read
January 10, 2017Wonderful read, well written, kept me wanting more, hard to put down. I'd recommend this as an excellent read to all who enjoy a bit of history in the story. I think I'm going to read it again !
April 2, 2017
I enjoyed this book immensely, though partly because I have personally swum across the site of the wreck hundreds of times, as part of my regular exercise program (swimming from first beach Clifton to fourth beach). (Not quite as catchy, but) I would have named the book "The Wreck Behind Cherry Rock)
I have also explored the site using diving equipment and snorkeling, and can vouch to its existence. There are massive sand movements at the large reef that was created, and occasionally the sand washes away and exposes the remaining debris from 1789. One result of the wreck has been the cultivation of a large bed of seaweed, which can be tricky to swim through.
Anyway, Michael's book was one I couldn't put down until I had finished it, which was probably after 2 am. The slave story part of the book in the second half has haunted me and stuck in my mind. He vividly brings the horrible brutalities of the slave trade that went on for so long back to our consciousness. In particular, he highlights the humanity and intelligence of the slaves.
With the opening of the African-American museum in Washington DC there is a renewal of interest in this subject, and it's well justified
I have also explored the site using diving equipment and snorkeling, and can vouch to its existence. There are massive sand movements at the large reef that was created, and occasionally the sand washes away and exposes the remaining debris from 1789. One result of the wreck has been the cultivation of a large bed of seaweed, which can be tricky to swim through.
Anyway, Michael's book was one I couldn't put down until I had finished it, which was probably after 2 am. The slave story part of the book in the second half has haunted me and stuck in my mind. He vividly brings the horrible brutalities of the slave trade that went on for so long back to our consciousness. In particular, he highlights the humanity and intelligence of the slaves.
With the opening of the African-American museum in Washington DC there is a renewal of interest in this subject, and it's well justified
March 8, 2018
This isn't my type of book at all and yet Smorenburg had me turning the pages eagerly from the start. His descriptions are vivid, a clear picture formed in your mind to understand and experience alongside the characters in his book. The facts and research amazed me in their accuracy. Can't wait to start reading the reckoning.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews