R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1452 more book reviews
Jaffy Brown believes he was born twice - once when he came from his mother's womb and second when he was saved from the jaws of an escaped tiger. The tiger belongs to Charles Jamrach and this encounter changes Jaffy's life forever. He finds he has a natural affinity for working with animals and goes to work for Jamrach. He makes friends with a pair of twins - Tim and Ishbel. Tim teases and plays tricks on him but eventually a friendship grows beyond the rivalry. Jaffy's relationship with Ishbel is more complex and as he grows into adolescence he finds himself entranced.
When Jamrach recruits Tim to go on a whaling ship to search for a dragon, Jaffy wants to sail with him. He does and the two embark on the adventure of their lives from which only one will survive.
I found this a fascinating read. The author has a wonderful way of describing whaling as well as the experiences in the small boat mother ship sinks. The feelings and the incidents on the open sea are excruciating realistic. I could smell the butchering as the whale is skinned and the oil runs into the pots making me feel that I was standing beside Tim and Jaffy. And, in the small boat I found myself wetting my lips as if mine were as salt encrusted as those in the boat.
While I truly enjoyed this read, I felt that the author did not do very well at bringing the experience with the tiger into the ending even though he attempted to do so. Yet, I felt that this was so good that I have no hesitation recommending it.
When Jamrach recruits Tim to go on a whaling ship to search for a dragon, Jaffy wants to sail with him. He does and the two embark on the adventure of their lives from which only one will survive.
I found this a fascinating read. The author has a wonderful way of describing whaling as well as the experiences in the small boat mother ship sinks. The feelings and the incidents on the open sea are excruciating realistic. I could smell the butchering as the whale is skinned and the oil runs into the pots making me feel that I was standing beside Tim and Jaffy. And, in the small boat I found myself wetting my lips as if mine were as salt encrusted as those in the boat.
While I truly enjoyed this read, I felt that the author did not do very well at bringing the experience with the tiger into the ending even though he attempted to do so. Yet, I felt that this was so good that I have no hesitation recommending it.
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