The Navigation Log : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A good book that deserves a wider audience
Review: This is a good book--I'm surprised to be the first to review it. The first part is a coming-of-age story that follows two twin boys from birth through adolescence in pre-war England. Corrick's writing is simple, direct, and often witty, and his recreation of the London of the times is quite vivid. The second part takes place in 1940, with the war starting and the twins--now adults--pursuing very different careers and living separate lives.

This is Corrick's first novel, and you can tell. His writing is not as polished as the writing of other British authors who've written about wartime England (say, Ian McEwan or Michael Frayn). But Corrick is not trying to compete with these folks. He's telling a story, and he's doing so effectively and unpretentiously. This book has adventure, drama, humor, lively historical recreation, and colorful characters--it makes for a very pleasant read.

If you're going to read just one book this summer, you may want to read something else (Corrick would agree); but if you're reading several books and like a good story, do add this one to the mix--you will enjoy it.