Library Journal? 01/01/2014
At the end of Doyle's previous novel, Mink River, Declan O'Donnell sets sail from the Oregon coast with an unwritten future. This is a detailed account of that voyage. At the outset of his journey, Declan has no destination, just a simple desire to live out childhood dreams on the high seas. His only companion on the trip is a watchful seagull with which he shares his philosophical musings on life. These moments of Melvillian pondering hint at adventure meaning more to Declan than a mere boyhood fantasy. His solitude is short-lived, though, as the tiny boat is slowly inhabited by an eclectic cast of characters. From castaways to a former friend, the crew on the ship become a surrogate family for Declan, ultimately forcing him to question his rugged individualism.
