Vous voulez voir cette page en français ? Cliquez ici.


Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
ABIGAIL
  

ABIGAIL (Mass Market Paperback)

by Joan Druett (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


2 used from CDN$ 3.27

Product Details


Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Having spent her early years on a 19th century whaling ship, Abigail Sherman can't quite get her land legs when her father packs her off to New Bedford, Mass., to learn some proper manners. Everything she knowssalacious sea chanteys, the wide-open view from the top of the riggings, the relaxed pace of life in New Zealand, where she and her father settledis of little use in stiff New England. Poor Abigail is constantly putting a foot wrong. When a letter bearing the sad, perplexing tidings of her father's murder arrives, she bamboozles her way aboard one whaler and then into a marriage of convenience with the glowering young captain of another. Her small legacy is the brig she grew up on and a puzzling rhyme that may lead to a fortune, but before she can return to New Zealand to collect, Abigail must faceand conquergrumbling sailors, a murderous mystery man, and her own attractive, hot-headed husband. Excellent characters in full sail amid tangy salt air and creaky timbers offer prime entertainment. Though New Zealander Druett ( Exotic Intruders ) uses one too many romantic cliche, she engagingly captures the atmosphere of whalers and their world. Doubleday Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

New Zealand, a whaling ship, a spirited young woman, and a fast-paced plot are the successful mix in this first novel. Abigail Sherman was born, raised, and at home on her father's whaling ship. Following her mother's death, she is sent to the dour household of a Massachusetts cousin. News of her father's murder propels her to escape and marry a young whaling captain in a desperate bid to return to New Zealand, claim the brig her father had deeded her, and seek the answer to the riddle he left for her. Lots of adventure, a colorful cast of characters, and enough whaling details to provide a first-rate vicarious experience. Doubleday Book Club Alternate. Joan Hinkemeyer, Englewood P.L., Col.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
5 star:
 (1)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most helpful customer reviews

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 7 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Abigail (Hardcover)
Whales breach, harpoons fly, blubber melts, canvas fills, sailors chant, and action abounds as Druett explains the complicated and fascinating business of whaling through the life of the title character, a young woman born aboard a ship involved in that dangerous, bloody, smoky maritime enterprise. The action travels from the wilds of Mongonui, New Zealand,(where Abigail and her father live and her father hopes to make his fortune) to the far more sedate and civilized New Bedford, Massachusetts, then center for one of the 19th century's most lucrative businesses. If murder, mystery, and mayhem weren't enough, this fascinating tale pulses with period detail as well. Written by the author of the very well-received Hen Frigates (named as one of the New York Public Library's "Books to Remember 1999"), Abigail was first released in hard cover by Random House in 1988, then again in paper by Bantam, both editions with covers that made them look like real bodice-rippers, which the book most certainly is not. Some enterprising publisher ought to option Abigail, out-of-print for several years now and release it in a nice trade paper edition sans the sensational covers. The book belongs in the genre of fine historical fiction, as in the writings of Iain Pears and Margaret George, both noted for their historical accuracy. Who knows, now that period films are back in fashion, maybe someone will option if to film and star Gwyneth Paltrow as Abigail.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
4.0 out of 5 stars A Girl and Her Sea Captain, Jun 19 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Abigail (Hardcover)
If there is any tiny particle in you that responds to the romance of tall ships, this book will find it. Abigail is a lovable, impulsive girl who makes me recall my own experiences and feelings at her age. I fell a bit in love with her handsome, ethical, yet exasperating sea captain, Seth, myself, but then aren't most men exasperating? I found this novel full of characters and plotlines that really held my interest. The vivid and authoritative accounts of life aboard a whaling ship in the 19th century were perhaps the best thing about this book. I highly recommend it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category


Look for similar items by subject









i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.