Six Mornings on Sanibel

by Charles Sobczak

Six Mornings on Sanibel is a moving story for readers of all ages. Two unlikely men meet one morning at the fishing pier on Sanibel Island in Florida. Over the course of the next six mornings, they share more than just snook runs and cold Cokes.

Richard Evans is an overweight, stressed out divorce attorney who measures his success by how much money he can manipulate from his clients. Under duress from his wife, Helen, he has taken his estranged family on vacation to Sanibel Island. Helen, whose life has grown to revolve around her soap operas, bridge games, and excessive spending, has anything but time for her family. Subsequently, both their teenage boys are spoiled beyond measure with every toy and game manufactured. Spoiled with everything except love and time from their parents. Sadly, their big, beautiful Midwestern house resembles anything but a home.

Carl Johnson and his wife, Marie, had moved to Sanibel decades ago to raise their family in the peaceful serene environment that island life has to offer; Carl as a fishing guide and Marie tending their family, garden and volunteer work. He has lived a long full life and is now old and retired. With his children having moved out of state and Marie having passed away to cancer last year, Carl is living the last years of his life with his fishing tackle and memories.

Over the next six mornings, while catching and releasing fish, Carl and Richard share tales of love, losses, heroism, vanity, suicide and life. They share bait, fishing gear and poignant conversations. With each passing morning, something happens to Richard. He begins to realize how superficial and shallow his life has become and contemplates changing, no matter how difficult that change may be.

Genres: Fiction

215 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful journey of two men who meet on a fishing pier on one of my favorite islands in Florida. Includes a lot of details about fishing as well as life's challenges. This is the first book I have read by this author and I would be interested in other reader's recommendations regarding his other books.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Book Club is reading this book for October. I read this several years back when I purchased the book while in Sanibel. I loved the feeling of being back in Sanibel that the book gave me when I read it at home.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, since it was a gift from my mother and our reading styles are very different. She chose it because it was a local author. (She lives in Fort Myers, just across the bay from Sanibel Island.)

Yet this engaging tale of two unlikely men, who develop a friendship while pier fishing, grabbed my emotions and held on.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I only gave it three stars, I'm glad I read the book. It's a great story just not written that well. However, I will check into other books written by the author. If you're from the Midwest & have visited Sanibel, it makes it an especially good story.

[Michelle Akers-dicken · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a complete surprise! I've purchased almost every book written by Sanibel Authors (maybe EVERY book).... they all left me feeling like I NEED to write my own book. I'm not sure how many of them were published! I was a little torn when a sales lady at The Bubble Room gift shop recommended this one. She told me THIS one is the one I'll love and told me how funny the author is in REAL life. Okay, what's one more book and if I didn't like it, at least I helped to support someone's lifestyle that I envied! lol

I LOVED it! First of all, I loved how it took me right back to being on my favorite island. I knew every single place that he wrote about and he was just descriptive enough that I felt like I was there. PERFECT since I never wanted to come home ANY time I was forced to come home. PLUS he talked about the Midwesterners... and ST. Louis and Peoria. I live in St. Louis and AM one of the annoying "tourons"! lol The only thing that Wasn't true was when he talked about how the speed limits weren't enforced and how it wasn't necessary for the tourists (tourons) to go so slow. NOBODY goes the speed limit on San/Cap, he said (unless you're a touron). Well, Mr. Sobczak, I AM a touron who went 50 something on San/Cap and I got pulled over and ticketed. I'll now need to be retaining an attorney to keep myself from having the 3 pts off my license. Ugh... but I digress!

This was a wonderful little story that made me feel good! I could relate to all of the fishing stories and how fishing related to life. I've never been ocean fishing but lake and river fishing make me have the same feeling as the author talks about. I was able to picture the feel of the great snook on my line and now I can't wait to have a fishing trip chartered when we go back! This story is appropriate for a man or a woman to read. It's a love story but more than that, it's about friendship and the importance of living. REALLY living and not just going through the motions.

This one was good for my soul and I looked at it as a gift. I'm keeping this one and will be reading it whenever I get down about life. My hubby is reading it now and after he's finished, my best friend. HOPEFULLY it holds up so that I CAN keep reading :-) So yes, I'd recommend this short read. It's not a work of literary genius but it will make you smile.

[Debbie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I have to admit I skipped over some of the fishing details as fishing is not an interest of mine. I did, however, enjoy watching the two men develop a friendship that fulfilled a need in both of their lives. Tears at the end of the book. I would like to know the rest of the story for Richard......Maybe another book?

[Jan Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very enjoyable read. Knowing the area, the streets, the restaurants, and the pier made it even more enjoyable. The story it’s about the unlikely friendship of two men who meet on the fishing pier. Six mornings together changed the younger man.

[Kelly VandenBrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute MUST read!! Read this book almost 20 years ago and I still remember the impact on my life. I finally realized all of my discontent and sadness was from allowing myself to prioritize my career over my marriage and dreams.

[Julie Sikorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. A touching story of two very different men who meet on a fishing pier on Sanibel Island. Had me crying by the end.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed reading about Sanibel and a bit of Florida.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of two strangers who change each other's lives in the course of just 6 days on a gorgeous island! I'm not a fisherman, I don't know much about it but I've been to Sanibel Island and it does have a magical quality that makes you want to stay forever. The talk of everything fishing was actually very engaging and interesting.

[Marcia Wuest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this while vacationing on Sanibel. Jon had met the author, which was a neat connection. I've heard this book being likened to Tuesdays With Morrie (Which is one of my all time favorites!) Now I just need to make the time to read...

[Judy]

currently reading...

[Twahlig · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best parts are the reminders of how Sanibel does everything so differently than the rest of the country. It's an ok read for such a short book but no real guts.

[Charmaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written by my first cousin.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!!!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about life! Put this book on your reading list!

[Connie Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a book club. I did like it, but not sure I would have finished it if it were not a book club book because of all the fishing details. I did like the story.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read about Sanibel

I was surprised by this book. I enjoyed learning more about the island and fishing. But even more enjoyed the humanity it exposed

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good quick read.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL STORY OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOSS