LOVED this book. It reminded me of what it was like to be a kid – all the unspoken rules that exist between children while they play, and the desire to understand the unspoken rules that exist between adults. It also gave me quite a scare about the prospect of raising my own son, who will one day be 10 and into all kinds of self-destructive behavior.

I can’t recommend this book enough. The writing is beautiful and stays true to its historical setting. Where other writers would have started and finished the story around the voyage itself, Barrett wisely shows the effects of the voyage on the characters, but avoids the pitfall of making the second half anticlimatic. I would suggest this to most serious readers, especially those who enjoy seafaring stories like the Patrick O’Brien books, as well as naturalist-focused books like Angels & Insects.

I disliked the first part of this novel, feeling it was disjointed and overpopulated with characters I didn’t understand or wish to understand. However, I was pleasantly surprised to read the second two acts. The writing felt much more organic, which makes sense after I read the short biography at the end that told of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s own alcoholism and Zelda’s sanitorium stays. For anyone reading this and thinking of giving up, keep going – you might actually find yourself caring about the outcome of Nicole and Dick’s relationship.

I’m surprised so many people recommended this book. I thought the writing was clunky at best. The one thing enjoyable I got out of the book was the plot, which wasn’t the author’s creation, so I’m not sure she should get many points for that one. The characters were incredibly one-dimensional. I am sure that the author did her research, but it wasn’t evident from the details – never once was I transported into the setting.