Rating: 
Summary: Passage to Juneau -- A Sea and Its Meanings
Review: Having once sailed the same waters that Raban describes in "Passage to Juneau -- A Sea and Its Meanings," I read with fascination this writer's reponses to the tests and subtle meanings of life on the waters of the Pacific Northwest. He offers a sympathetic portrait of the unlovable and socially bereft George Vancouver, a shrewd insight into the people of the region, and a wonderful sense of the hydraulic mysteries of tide patterns, weather and narrow channels in a place that never hears thunder.Raban looks deeply into the play of light and shadow on water and draws forth the hidden metaphysical realms of the native peoples. And it is in these descriptions of the scattering of the light that he presages his own emotional changes -- a seeing but not-seeing of storms on the horizon. His work is as dazzling as sunlight scattered on waves and as deceptively deep as the dark channels that are home to Sisiutl and Sedna. As a memoir and travel book "Passage to Juneau" is an intimate look into a quiet corner of a subtly changing part of our world, and a thoughtful meditation on the other passages we make as humans. My one criticism is that with all of the author's references to charts, navigational aids, portolanos, and coastal pilots, the book is devoid of reference maps. Perhaps if the book goes into a second printing the publisher will rectify this obvious shortcoming.
Rating:
Summary: Passage to Juneau -- A Sea and Its Meanings
Review: Having once sailed the same waters that Raban describes in "Passage to Juneau -- A Sea and Its Meanings," I read with fascination this writer's reponses to the tests and subtle meanings of life on the waters of the Pacific Northwest. He offers a sympathetic portrait of the unlovable and socially bereft George Vancouver, a shrewd insight into the people of the region, and a wonderful sense of the hydraulic mysteries of tide patterns, weather and narrow channels in a place that never hears thunder. Raban looks deeply into the play of light and shadow on water and draws forth the hidden metaphysical realms of the native peoples. And it is in these descriptions of the scattering of the light that he presages his own emotional changes -- a seeing but not-seeing of storms on the horizon. His work is as dazzling as sunlight scattered on waves and as deceptively deep as the dark channels that are home to Sisiutl and Sedna. As a memoir and travel book "Passage to Juneau" is an intimate look into a quiet corner of a subtly changing part of our world, and a thoughtful meditation on the other passages we make as humans. My one criticism is that with all of the author's references to charts, navigational aids, portolanos, and coastal pilots, the book is devoid of reference maps. Perhaps if the book goes into a second printing the publisher will rectify this obvious shortcoming.
Rating: 
Summary: The Inside Passage I Know
Review: Having sailed my small power-boats on three major voyages of the Inside Passage; Skagway and return in 1980, Butedale and return about 1985, and Glacier Bay and return in 1994 I feel fully qualified to comment on the marine part of his book. I can only enjoy and appreciate the historical and philosophical content. Altogether I feel that it is an exceptionally fine book. His descriptions of the terrain and the seaway are wonderful. I do think that they would have been a bit brighter if he had used May and June for his voyage, but he was delayed in mid-voyage, resulting in his sailing north a bit too early and south a bit too late for the best weather. Decently competent yachtsmen should not let Raban scare you off. With careful attention to the tide and current tables the voyage is perfectly safe and thousands of small boats have done it.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: Having traveled the inside passage after graduating from college, I was immediately drawn to the title. After reading reviews I thought I would be in for a real treat. Oh, how I was wrong. This is a very boring narration by a very critical and conceded Jonathan Raban. I only finished the entire book because I felt I was obligated to complete the journey. If you are a big fan of cocktail parties and own a sailboat you may enjoy this book. All I know is that I could not recommend it to anyone and still maintain a clear conscience.
Rating: 
Summary: The Literary Locker of Davey Jones
Review: Here's a writer 'sailing' on his 'boat', with way too time to think himself onto the reefs of nihilism- yet he does so with a good flair for trolling you along behind in his wake, never drowning you entirely in gloomy depths. This is because the dog can write- in this case in a formulaic yet pleasing prose that weaves predictably between history (Captain Vancouver's early voyage and the death of his father) and myth, literature, etc. He's great with image and description- even as he stares mournfully at his own reflection in the salted sea. Worth the trip by the skin of a salmon. Don't read it if you're depressed tho- he really seems to sum up the whole of our existence as flotsam spinning around and around in an eddy- or even just the eddy itself- with little creative friction from any other view. A bag of psylocibin seaweed and some face time with a dolphin might be just what the man needs. Bon Voyage!
Rating:
Summary: Another Raban that I wished did not have to end
Review: His saddest tale, but as with all the others you dread the book ending. Totally gripping for its insights on the Pacific North West, sailing and the human condition. I feel robbed that there is only a new Raban every 2 years! The world would be better for one every 6 months.
Rating:
Summary: Passages
Review: I initially picked up this book hoping for a sentimental journey in the area where I grew up. The inside passage holds a special mystique among Pacific Northwesterners and is generally accepted as the most scenic, challenging, and historic way of getting from Seattle to Alaska. But this book is much more than a travelogue. We get to join Raban on a much more personal journey.
Raban is obviously an experienced seaman, who sets out to explore the inside passage. As we accompany him, it becomes apparent this will be much more than a mere trip to Alaska. He intertwines history, beautiful scenery, and his own personal reflections into a fascinating trip of self discovery. Raban is a gifted writer who can draw you into the journey and the closer you get to Juneau, the more involved you've become. His descriptive prose takes you out of your lounge room and onto the boat with him. If you're looking for action-adventure, this is not it. But for a beautifully written book that parallels the stories of the sea with real life, this is a great read. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Passages
Review: I initially picked up this book hoping for a sentimental journey in the area where I grew up. The inside passage holds a special mystique among Pacific Northwesterners and is generally accepted as the most scenic, challenging, and historic way of getting from Seattle to Alaska. But this book is much more than a travelogue. We get to join Raban on a much more personal journey.
Raban is obviously an experienced seaman, who sets out to explore the inside passage. As we accompany him, it becomes apparent this will be much more than a mere trip to Alaska. He intertwines history, beautiful scenery, and his own personal reflections into a fascinating trip of self discovery. Raban is a gifted writer who can draw you into the journey and the closer you get to Juneau, the more involved you've become. His descriptive prose takes you out of your lounge room and onto the boat with him. If you're looking for action-adventure, this is not it. But for a beautifully written book that parallels the stories of the sea with real life, this is a great read. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Are we supposed to pick up a Ulysses parallel?
Review: I noticed the boat had once been called Penelope. His father comes home from the wars to a faithful wife etc. Very clever and well-written but it got too multi-layered for me at times as the narrative jumped from his present to his childhood and back to Captain Vancouver. Touches of supercilious anti-tourist misanthropy and misogyny (like Theroux and Waugh) which he notices himself doing and apologises for. A great book - keeps you thinking. keeps you reading.
Rating:
Summary: A haunting, lyrical journey of thought and place
Review: I picked this book up in an airport while traveling on business. A journey within a journey. A melancholy and mesmerizing exploration of a man, a beautiful place and those who inhabit it. Beautifully written. Jonathan Raban possesses a spell-binding voice in his writing that is intimate, engaging, lyrical and succinct. A joy to read.
| 
