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The Reluctant Mariner
The Reluctant Mariner is the story of a couple's circumnavigation of the world in a 12.2 meter yacht, told from the wife's perspective. Far from simply stopping off in each port, the Hacketts made a point of exploring inland and actually seeing as much as they had time to in every country they visited. The trip took them seven years to complete and they spent many months in several of the destinations they visited. This makes her account more than simply another "sailing around the world" book. Joanna describes their adventures, the people they met, the places they visited -- over 37 countries, many of them not on the usual circumnavigation route -- recounting the good as well as the bad experiences. The Reluctant Mariner also describes what it was like for a middle-aged, female landlubber to leave the comforts of home and family and sail off around the world. Initially a very reluctant sailor, Joanna eventually found herself swept along by her husband's vision and quest for adventure. This is the humorous tale of how she adapted and the experiences she had along the way.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 15, 2016
Three and a half stars.
This is the sailing memoir of the Reluctant Mariner of the title; Joanna's husband has the dream of sailing around the world and despite a lack of enthusiasm, a tendency toward seasickness and a fondness for living on land she goes with him. Good on her, I love the sea, am fond of sailing and do not get seasick so it was initially hard for me to really bond with Joanna, In fact, I put the book down several times before finally getting in to it. As an aside, if any husband of mine wanted to go on an adventure that I disliked as much as Joanna seemed to dislike sailing, I would say "Good onya mate, see you when you get back" so I hope Joanna's hubby appreciates her.
When I was finally in the mood for this, on the heels of another sailing book, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The five year (I think) odyssey of sailing around the globe is told in a well written, matter of fact voice. As an added plus, while there are lots of anecdotes there is no overdose of sailing references to bewilder a non-sailor, it is the experiences, observations and perspectives of the author on the experiences of sailing and the places she visits.
While not in any way 'ocker' there is a strong Australian feel to the text, as one would expect and this means a very relaxed attitude to the places they visit and there are so many of them: Personally I am envious, Asia, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean all seen from the unique perspective of someone who is sailing to them rather than flying in. The view from the yacht is great and so are the numerous lad trips the couple take.
I am maybe a fraction less envious of the Atlantic crossing, but the Canary Islands and the Caribbean make up for it (at least as the reader). Deeply envious of anyone sailing the Pacific and the Islands, this section could well have been longer for me, but it was clear they were yearning for home. As you would after that long.
This is the sailing memoir of the Reluctant Mariner of the title; Joanna's husband has the dream of sailing around the world and despite a lack of enthusiasm, a tendency toward seasickness and a fondness for living on land she goes with him. Good on her, I love the sea, am fond of sailing and do not get seasick so it was initially hard for me to really bond with Joanna, In fact, I put the book down several times before finally getting in to it. As an aside, if any husband of mine wanted to go on an adventure that I disliked as much as Joanna seemed to dislike sailing, I would say "Good onya mate, see you when you get back" so I hope Joanna's hubby appreciates her.
When I was finally in the mood for this, on the heels of another sailing book, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The five year (I think) odyssey of sailing around the globe is told in a well written, matter of fact voice. As an added plus, while there are lots of anecdotes there is no overdose of sailing references to bewilder a non-sailor, it is the experiences, observations and perspectives of the author on the experiences of sailing and the places she visits.
While not in any way 'ocker' there is a strong Australian feel to the text, as one would expect and this means a very relaxed attitude to the places they visit and there are so many of them: Personally I am envious, Asia, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean all seen from the unique perspective of someone who is sailing to them rather than flying in. The view from the yacht is great and so are the numerous lad trips the couple take.
I am maybe a fraction less envious of the Atlantic crossing, but the Canary Islands and the Caribbean make up for it (at least as the reader). Deeply envious of anyone sailing the Pacific and the Islands, this section could well have been longer for me, but it was clear they were yearning for home. As you would after that long.
September 4, 2013
I've been indulging in sailing memoirs lately, as I'm intrigued by the idea that one can just up and go sailing around the world, leaving family, friends, possessions behind. I'm even more intrigued when the traveler is one who's "reluctant" to be there in the first place and has a whole bunch of realistic fears and concerns and frankly, would just rather be tending a garden than being aboard a boat in the middle of the ocean.
Joanna, the author, is the reluctant mariner. Her husband is the skipper. And with her dry sense of humor and Australian wit, she writes about their experiences circumnavigating the world. What I like about this book is that, while they did encounter a few storms and had some problems, none of it felt exaggerated. Her perspective wasn't that of one who was irrationally afraid of water, sharks, or sea monsters, just a perspective of one who didn't come to sailing naturally and would rather be doing something else, but yet, tremendously enjoyed the end result of sailing.
If you like travel memoirs, I recommend this book.
Joanna, the author, is the reluctant mariner. Her husband is the skipper. And with her dry sense of humor and Australian wit, she writes about their experiences circumnavigating the world. What I like about this book is that, while they did encounter a few storms and had some problems, none of it felt exaggerated. Her perspective wasn't that of one who was irrationally afraid of water, sharks, or sea monsters, just a perspective of one who didn't come to sailing naturally and would rather be doing something else, but yet, tremendously enjoyed the end result of sailing.
If you like travel memoirs, I recommend this book.
November 17, 2015
Decided to give up crime for a while and travel. That is the good thing about reading. Anyway it doesn't look as though I will be sailing around the world in the for sea able future so the next best thing is a book. Joanna Hackett grew up in rural South Australia she married - as you do! And expected a fairly normal life. Her husband's dream was to sail his own boat around the world. She assumed that he would grow out of it- as you do. However came the day he made it plain he was going. He, from what I read is very competent, good humored and cooks if he has to. She wasn't about to let a good thing go so she girded her loins so to speak and went with him. What followed was an absorbing account. Sunsets and sunrises and new places. I have heard that travel is proportionate to the challenge. Well Joanna met those very well and returned home well satisfied with the experience but as to whether she would do it again that is open to conjecture.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews