- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Vintage Canada (Nov 30 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0307397114
- ISBN-13: 978-0307397119
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 386 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #105,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Quill & Quire
Beth Powning’s second novel is the affecting and engaging story of a young woman seeking her place in the world – a place away from the loneliness and boredom of a small Canadian village.
Azuba is the young wife of Nathaniel, an older man who captains the Traveller, a commercial ship. The couple originally planned to travel together, but when Azuba becomes pregnant, Nathaniel realizes he cannot jeopardize his wife’s safety or that of his unborn child by taking her aboard his ship.
The primary action begins in 1861, five years into the couple’s marriage. Azuba, pregnant again, suffers a miscarriage while her husband is at sea, and finds comfort and understanding in her friendship with a local minister. Upon Nathaniel’s return, rumours of an affair between Azuba and the minister are swirling, and as a result he feels compelled to take his wife and five-year-old daughter on his next voyage. During that arduous trek around the world, Azuba and her husband begin to rebuild their relationship and in the process explore the dynamics of family and belonging.
Powning’s lyrical prose accentuates the struggles of the characters while smoothly advancing the plot. The descriptive passages paint a clear picture of the historical period while taking care not to wallow in gratuitous details. Unfortunately, the prologue is written in a more formal style than the novel proper, and the epilogue seems like an add-on – both are unnecessary and detract from the narrative’s flow and impact.
Thematically, The Sea Captain’s Wife is about the complexities of relationships – between husband and wife, between extended family members, friends, and society – and about the conflict between work and family. Nathaniel’s decision to have his wife and daughter accompany him allows Powning to effectively explore the consequences of a lack of balance between passion and pragmatism.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.Review
“In history and in literature, the sea has always been the realm of men, but Beth Powning reminds us that women were there, too. The Sea Captain’s Wife is both a brilliant and absorbing story of a singular woman’s courageous entry into this alien world and of her growing sense of self-knowledge and strength as she encounters its demands. It is a tale of adventure and adversity, and of the terrors and deep satisfactions of life on the ever-dangerous and unpredictable sea.”
— Derek Lundy, author of Godforsaken Sea and The Way of a Ship
"An exciting story. The Sea Captain’s Wife reveals Powning to be intuitive and reflective, yet self-assured in her mastery of the art of nature writing. She skillfully weaves both a harrowing and touching story about marriage, obligation, and devotion."
— Winnipeg Free Press
"An ambitious historical novel rich in adventure."
— Telegraph-Journal
"The best novel of 2010. . . . A brilliant, absorbing story. . . . Not since Derek Lundy’s The Way of a Ship have I read such powerful descriptions of life in the Age of Sail. . . . Both [Azuba and Nathaniel] are fully fledged characters. . . . And, much like The Hatbox Letters, Powning’s prose never misses a beat."
— Owen Sound Sun Times
"Beth Powning has the gift of drawing her readers into a work. The characters in The Sea Captain’s Wife are enduringly memorable. Set in the 1800s, Powning paints scenes of sea life and its pains, fears, wonders, joys and tragedies."
— The Coast (Halifax)
"One terrific voyage"
— The Globe and Mail
"An elegant piece of writing"
— National Post
“The Sea Captain’s Wife is a terrific tale, fast-moving and expertly told, one which measures, in the author’s phrase, ‘the true size of the world.’ Like The Hatbox Letters, Powning’s second cleverly crafted novel is not to be missed.”
—Ottawa Citizen
“Powning has a terrific eye for detail, and her dramatic scenes read like a treatment from an action movie. Equal parts character study, travelogue, and action-adventure tale, The Sea Captain’s Wife is a marvellous read.”
— Edmonton Journal
“Powning is an extraordinary writer. . . . Her people are as real as personal friends, neighbours or compelling strangers. . . . The writing rings true to its period without ever sounding like a device. . . . The book is clearly thoroughly researched, yet never reads as written research but as lives fully and panoramically lived.”
— The Globe and Mail
From the Hardcover edition.
— Derek Lundy, author of Godforsaken Sea and The Way of a Ship
"An exciting story. The Sea Captain’s Wife reveals Powning to be intuitive and reflective, yet self-assured in her mastery of the art of nature writing. She skillfully weaves both a harrowing and touching story about marriage, obligation, and devotion."
— Winnipeg Free Press
"An ambitious historical novel rich in adventure."
— Telegraph-Journal
"The best novel of 2010. . . . A brilliant, absorbing story. . . . Not since Derek Lundy’s The Way of a Ship have I read such powerful descriptions of life in the Age of Sail. . . . Both [Azuba and Nathaniel] are fully fledged characters. . . . And, much like The Hatbox Letters, Powning’s prose never misses a beat."
— Owen Sound Sun Times
"Beth Powning has the gift of drawing her readers into a work. The characters in The Sea Captain’s Wife are enduringly memorable. Set in the 1800s, Powning paints scenes of sea life and its pains, fears, wonders, joys and tragedies."
— The Coast (Halifax)
"One terrific voyage"
— The Globe and Mail
"An elegant piece of writing"
— National Post
“The Sea Captain’s Wife is a terrific tale, fast-moving and expertly told, one which measures, in the author’s phrase, ‘the true size of the world.’ Like The Hatbox Letters, Powning’s second cleverly crafted novel is not to be missed.”
—Ottawa Citizen
“Powning has a terrific eye for detail, and her dramatic scenes read like a treatment from an action movie. Equal parts character study, travelogue, and action-adventure tale, The Sea Captain’s Wife is a marvellous read.”
— Edmonton Journal
“Powning is an extraordinary writer. . . . Her people are as real as personal friends, neighbours or compelling strangers. . . . The writing rings true to its period without ever sounding like a device. . . . The book is clearly thoroughly researched, yet never reads as written research but as lives fully and panoramically lived.”
— The Globe and Mail
From the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Made me grateful not to be a sea captain's wife (but I loved it),
By J. Macgillivray "Maritime Bookworm" (Moncton, NB, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Sea Captain's Wife (Hardcover)
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advance copy of this book.When I think of Beth Powning, I think of her beautiful descriptions, especially of nature. However, in this book, she shows she can bring her descriptive powers to the dark side. While there are lovely descriptions of the heroine Azuba's home on the Bay of Fundy, the author also brings to life the less pleasant aspects of being a captain's wife at sea: seasickness, being tossed around in a boat during storms, rotting maggoty food, the difficulty in maintaining personal hygiene on a boat, near-starvation, pirate attacks, etc. There are also fascinating tidbits of history and sailing lore. A great story for anyone, and history buffs will love it. I sure did.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Treat,
By
This review is from: The Sea Captain's Wife (Paperback)
Not having read this authour before, I didn't quite know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprisedRight from the start I liked the easy prose, the lovely description and the interest obtained. Not being overly weighed down by heavy words, it is an easy read, but one in which you are eager to read more. This is a book unlike any I have read , but one in which I found hard to put down. The story line is refreshing, and the characters are fascinating, each strong in their own way. Of course, it was frustrating reading about life on the sea , in an era where woman were really to be seen, obeyed, and not heard, but you will be riveted to find out how this brave and adventurous woman handles difficult situations, including her husband. This is a book about a test of love and could easily make one wonder about what they would have done in the same situation.The Sea Captain's Wife I found this book a treat, one which could easily be read either while on vacation or cozy in bed. Good to the last drop.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this book!,
By
This review is from: The Sea Captain's Wife (Hardcover)
This novel is absolutely a wonderful read! I am surprised that there are only 4 reader reviews. I guarantee that once you start this book you will have a hard time putting it down! The author is a skilled story teller and a gifted writer.It truly was a tumultuous but exciting voyage. This book sheds light into the little known world of sea captains' wives particularly in the 19th century. Highly recommend it! 5 star rating!
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