The Voyage : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries (Paperback))

Rating:
Summary: Never judge a book by its cover
Review: An admitted Philip Caputo fan ( I could not get his Rumor of War or Means of Escape out of my head) I looked forward to The Voyage anticipating that "the cover picture" was drawing the reader in to an epic sea adventure. I had read my fellow Amazon customer reviews and considered the fact that more than a few had expressed disappointment. I am saddened to say I join the ranks of those who found the book falling short of the mark. It is as if Mr. Caputo and some other person wrote this novel. Introductory chapters and smatterings of the middle chapters and parts of the conclusion will rivet the reader. Along the way, however you will find yourself questioning where the story is going and why don't I care about these characters? It would be unfair if the mysteries and secrects of this novel are revealed here as some may enjoy reading the book. It would be fair to say that The Voyage might be the literary product as if Joseph Conrad or Herman Melville had teamed up with Danielle Steele! When asked why so many fourth rate novels seem so popular Mark Twain commented"... the world is mostly populated by fourth rate readers." Save your money on this one until the paperback version comes out. Better yet, if you really need to punish yourself right away, borrow it from a friend or at the library.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, beautifully written
Review: The better part of the Voyage is exciting and well-written. The characters, especially of the four boys stand out and it feels as if you get to known their every flaw and virtue. The story of the sailing from Maine to Key West is marvelous and does a great job of evoking the power of the sea and how the boys handle themselves in some tough situations. The only problem I have with the novel is the use of the modern day narrator who is so "curious" to find out the meaning behind the father's actions. We realize early on that she is the one "writing" the story and then you really have to suspend belief to comprehend the plot , if you dont you will begin to wonder if this is "what really happened" or is it Sybil's imagination that we are reading. This fiction within fiction is nothing more than a distraction and the book could have been written well without it. Its a great book though, just try to ignore the flaws. A good filmmaker could make a wonderful movie out of it, if they do it right.

Rating:
Summary: ASTOUNDING STORY with an AMAZING twist
Review: The Voyage is an incredible story of three teenage sons sent off by their father on a journey aboard their boat Double Eagle. The Voyage is an astounding tale about life in the early twentieth century, and also an amazing twist awaits the reader in the end. I was enraptured with the author's skill to weave an incredible story. The secrets they discover are told through Sybil the great grand daughter of their father as she discovers what really happened along their journey. All in all The Voyage is easily one of the best books I have read, and should delight you as well.