Uncertain Voyage

Rating:
Summary: Delicate, engaging, and real
Review: I am a Dorothy Gilman fan; the only one of her books I haven't taken to was Incident at Badamya. This one definitely touched me. I thought it was an accurate and insightful portrait of Melissa's (was that her name?) progress towards freedom from depression and a bad childhood. Yes, it was set in the framework of a spy novel, which is fun, but the real story is what happens to her on the inside.

I thought Gilman did an excellent job of conveying how the world seemed like to Melissa at the beginning of her journey and how it seemed to her at the end. Often it seems like people suffering from depression and people who are not are totally unable to communicate, really unable to see the world from the other's perspective however much they try. I especially liked the insight that she couldn't truly love or see other people as they were until she got over herself. Melissa felt like a real individual to me. She wasn't perfect or predictable but she was likable and special.

On the down side, I suppose that if you weren't in the mood for this sort of book, then the continuous introspection and Melissa's initial fear and inability to deal with the world could be a bit tiresome. But if I'm in an introspective mood myself, or if it's a rainy day and I want something to match, this is a lovely book. Quite uplifting.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing effort
Review: I have read and enjoyed most of Dorothy Gilman's novels. This is the only one that I would not recommend. The plot is disappointing and the characters fall far short of compelling. Ah well, perhaps 1967 just wasn't such a great year after all...

Rating:
Summary: The worst Dorothy Gilman book I have ever read.
Review: I have read most of Dorothy Gilman's books and loved them. I especially enjoyed the "Mrs. Pollifax" series. However, I have found "Uncertain Voyage" to be the worst Dorothy Gilman book I have ever read. I have read 142 pages of it so far...thinking with each page that I read the next one will be better, but it is so boring I don't know if I will be able to finish it. Melissa is so cocerned with her past nervous break down and Adam there is hardly time for anything else. Basically it is just very predictable. There no twist and turns or surprises in it. If you have ever read a mystery novel you know how it ends almost from the begining. Some people may love the book. However, I do not think it was worth buying brand new. In my opion it might be worth buying it used for 25 cents or less, but only if you are desperate to find something to read.

Rating:
Summary: Not a good book to judge Dorothy by.
Review: I have read most of Dorothy Gilman's books and loved them. I especially enjoyed the "Mrs. Pollifax" series. However, I have found "Uncertain Voyage" to be the worst Dorothy Gilman book I have ever read. I have read 142 pages of it so far...thinking with each page that I read the next one will be better, but it is so boring I don't know if I will be able to finish it. Melissa is so cocerned with her past nervous break down and Adam there is hardly time for anything else. Basically it is just very predictable. There no twist and turns or surprises in it. If you have ever read a mystery novel you know how it ends almost from the begining. Some people may love the book. However, I do not think it was worth buying brand new. In my opion it might be worth buying it used for 25 cents or less, but only if you are desperate to find something to read.

Rating:
Summary: I Love this book ! I love this story!
Review: I like this book probably because in a real strange way it mirrored my own life just a little. Coming out of a 15 year marriage to a psychologically abusive alcoholic marriage.. this book just felt good.. the story fit like a glove for me.
I just enjoyed this book tremendously. It is a departure from the Mrs Pollifax series stories but very enjoyable.
I cant believe this book didnt get more stars from other readers.. but thats ok.. to each his own.. I loved this book!

Rating:
Summary: Not a good book to judge Dorothy by.
Review: I love Dorothy Gilman's books. I have all the Mrs. Pollifax and am collecting her stand alone novels. After I labored through Uncertain Voyage I thought it should be retitled "Uncertain How It Ever Got Published". Thankfully, I only payed $.50 for it at a used bookstore. If you've never read Dorothy Gilman, please don't start with this book. Read her Mrs. Pollifax series or Thale's Folly to really find out what a terrific author she is.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and engaging
Review: Those who gave this book a bad review are unfairly comparing it to Gilman's other books. Give her a break! This book is a completely different genre and should only be evaluated in that context. I considered it one of those rare stories that is sweet and insipiring without being corny or insipid. Anyone who has struggled inwardly with self-esteem or has had some trepidation about travelling alone (and come on, folks, isn't that somewhat true of all of us?) will find this an engaging read.