I found this travel memoir both incredibly interesting and frustrating in equal measures.
The premise is at first unique and humorous - a man sailing around the world with only a chicken - but as the story continued I began to frown at how very stubborn and dangerous the undertaking was. Too many times, the author could have made a smarter and safer decision, and in nearly all instances the trip would have still gone ahead with only short delay but much more safety for all involved.
I have no care in the world than my sailboat and Monique. My family and friends are in my thoughts, of course; I love them, but I can’t say I miss them.
Since I was eighteen years old I’ve been showing up in new places without knowing anyone, and without any money. It’s a challenge every time, but I’ve always been lucky.
A stray line is tangled up in the propeller, and I have to dive down to untangle it. Barely an hour later, when I see fins cresting the surface beside the boat, I realize my decision to take a dip could have ended very badly.
I can also appreciate that he was very young when he set off on his adventure, though its hard to sympathize with a narrator who so regularly lies, deceives, and cons his way into ensuring his sailing trip goes forward. I will grant him that he is very honest in his detailing the journey throughout the whole book, so the readers get a front row show of him lying to potential employers to get a few bucks, lying to border and customs agents, and then just a few too many off the cuff comments about not missing his family and friends. His poor decision-making skills and impatience also landed him in some seriously dangerous situations early in the journey and I found that incredibly frustrating too. I’ve never met someone who would go sailing without any experience, and certainly not in dangerous areas and against advice from experienced people. Ah well, it made for an exciting story!
I enjoyed the descriptions each time we arrived somewhere new, and the descriptions around Greenland and in the Northwest Passage were beautiful. It was a treat to hear about these areas I will most probably never visit.
All things considered, this story was fun and if you enjoy reading about a journey that you’re very unlikely to ever make yourself, then this a great piece of adventure and escapism. It’s unlike any others I’ve yet come across, and there are a handful of tender moments of connection and personal growth for the author. I was particularly fond of his time in BC, Canada and the friendship he forged resulting in that stunning lifelong gift, and of course the time reflecting on his relationship with his father.
I also loved Monique and her tenacity. I truly hope that post-voyage she continued to be valued and cared fo as a companion and not just an egg-machine. It was sad to learn she had become depressed on two occasions and I hope she is doing well now seeing as Guirec is once again doing long-haul sea trips without her.
* Thank you to Edelweiss+ and GreyStone Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.