Western Limit of the World

by David Masiel

At almost 60, Boson Harold Snow is nearing the end of life's voyage. Aboard a creaking tanker loaded with volatile petrochemicals, Snow and explosive first mate Bracelin embark on a dangerous and illegal scheme that sends their disintegrating hulk on a scattershot voyage from North to South America and on to the wilder shores of Africa. Hurricanes, crooked customs officials, tropical ports seething with vice and revolution, and even doomed love threaten Snow and his shady venture. But nothing troubles him more than the thoughts swirling through his head - of a black existence littered with bodies. Yet Snow clings to the possibility that even on this darkest of voyages, there is still a chance at redemption ...

Genres: Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 2 out of 5]

The back cover review blurps make comparisons to Conrad, only fitting if Conrad wrote profanity-laced stories about unlikable people. Come to think of it, this does have a bit of a feel of Conrad in its relentless downward progression.

Not that the book was so bad, but it isn't a book to be enjoyed, more to be endured.

In any case, this is the story of a tramp cargo steamer beset with technical, legal, and administrative problems, and bos'n Snow is at the middle of all of them as he attempts to get back to his African home to recover some stashed diamonds and cash out of the business with the proceeds. How many of the misfortunes are his own doing, and how much he is a victim attempting to survive is the unanswered central question.

[Neal Kerrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line isn't the best. There's action on every page almost like swashbuckling but the enemies the ship, other crew members. one thing the author does well is portray life on a container ship. He knows his ship. This justifies his story.

[Michelle Mulder · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a book I will read again.

It is not a bad book but it is not my normal choice in a book.

This is the story follows Harold Snow and his life on a tanker ship full of explosive material.
He is busy with illegal schemes that makes him cross paths with crooked customs officials.
He is losing the woman he is in live with to a younger man whom he took on only because he knew the kids grandfather.
Their journey takes them from north to south America to the Africa.
But despite all Snow clings to the hope for redemption.

Trigger warnings - Murder, violence, torture, child abuse, corruption

[Lowell L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grim, suspenseful (and very exciting) sea-story....

Just read this for the 2nd time. Masiel somehow manages to impart an almost palpable sense of dread, and his descriptive sentences of the many faces of the sea are amazing. Could almost feel myself being turned away, almost within reach of the Golden Gate. So close....

Author is now a writing professor at UC, and it’s a shame he isn’t doing novels anymore....

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for anyone working in the marine industry, particularly deep sea. It's less humorous than 2182 Kilohertz but accurately displays the hardships of working on a dilapidated cargo ship, with a sick captain, half criminal crew, transporting dangerous cargo. It's a bundle of joy.

[W Goldsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariner must read

[Bookmarks Magazine]

Masiel spent a decade as a merchant seaman and knows this watery turf well. Though reviewers still cite Melville as king of high-seas drama, they agree that Masiel follows closely on his heels. Written in magical prose and full of greed, sexual tension, adventure, death, and natural disasters, Western Limit delves deeply into the tortured hearts of humankind. Snow, who takes center stage, is a haunted man in search of absolution; Bracelin, by contrast, acts on his monstrous yearnings. For sea-faring fans, Western Limit is a must read.

This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine.