2016/06/08

BOOK REVIEW:
ISLAND OF THE LOST BY JOAN DRUETT

Title: Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World
Author: Joan Druett
Published: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 284
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
1864. Captain Musgrave and his crew find themselves shipwrecked on Auckland Island, an island known for freezing rain and howling winds. But rather than give up, the crew does the best with what they have, and even end up planning an astonishing escape.


Review:
I've really been into reading these kinds of books lately, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this one as well.

This reads mostly like fiction, though it is a bit drier. I did quite enjoy the characters though and especially the camaraderie that evolved between the five men. What made it even more insteresting were the story of another shipwreck during the same time - on the other side of the island - where the men had no relationship with each other, no leader, no will to really do anything, and so most of them perished. They were ten people, as opposed to five like Captain Musgrave and his team, and yet most of them died, and those who survived did it by sheer luck. Musgrave and his people, however, fought for their survival.

I could really picture the situation of being stranded on the island for so long and letting bouts of depression take over. They still persisted though, which is a testiment to the human spirit. I do wish we had gotten to know the entire crew a bit better though, but if there are no records of it, I suppose it's difficult to do. I found the setting to be very well described as well, Auckland island being a rough place to be shipwrecked.

Overall, this was quite an interesting read and one I really enjoyed. If you like non fiction books about history and survival, I would highly recommend it.

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