Customer Reviews:
 A book to enjoy and share with others June 29, 2001
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The first time I read this book was 20 years ago, given to me by my father at the impressionable age of 15, living and sailing in New Zealand. Now while living in California, I, by mere good fortune than chance, found the book in a library there. I reread it and so happy that I did, for I appreciated it more than I did or could have done as a child, not only did I feel I was with Farley every inch of the way in Happy Adventure; sea spray on my face; laughter of friends around me; frustration and fear; sympathy and compassion - but I envied him this adventure and have promised myself one day I will get to Newfoundland and toast him and the old man of the sea. It is one of the mostly enjoyable and extremely well written books I have read and no doubt will read, for a long time. I enjoyed it as a child but so much more as an adult. In fact I am buying the book to send home to my mother in memory of my father who I am glad made me read it those many years before. Now there will always be a copy of it in the family. I recommend it to one and all who have ever enjoyed the experiences of sail and travel, friendship and laughter...and even if you haven't I guarantee that anyone who reads this book won't put it down until the end..and will do so with a tear in their eyes!
The funniest sailing book I have ever read. January 16, 1999
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The first time I read this book was on a passage aboard a thirty foot sloop. We were sailing from Baddeck on Cape Breaton Island on our way to the south coast of Newfoundland.This was in 1977. The book I believe had been relaesed not much before that time. It was as if I was reading an introduction to the Island and to the people of Newfoundland.I could not put it down. My sides ached from laughing from the beggining to the end.If you have never been to Newfoundland this book will give you inspiration to want to go there. It is a wonderful portrait of the Island and the People.
A great amusing nautical read... June 15, 1998
The early episode in this wonderful book where the "Happy Adventure", under *FULL* sail, mysteriously backs all the way out of Muddy Hole Harbor, to the amusement of all, is worth the price of admission, in and of itself. "By guess and by god", this is a charming read.
Even landlubbers will laugh 'til they're seasick! May 2, 1997
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Farley Mowat has been accused of sitting in a Toronto bar while concocting these wonderfully stirring tales of the island rock, Newfoundland. Put your mind at ease, mates, and enjoy the book as a true treasure. I lived in Newfoundland for three years before discovering this book. I can heartily recommend you read it with good appetite! It is a cake mixed with truth skillfully told, covered with a frosting of humor, and served with a piquant flourish.These saltwater tales, revolving around Mowats' titanic struggle to find, refurbish and actually sail a boat determined to sink herself and all hands, are chalk full of laughs, tension, tragedy, and still more laughs. Its truths are better than any fiction.Haul up your anchor and sail away with this master storyteller as he outsalts the famed Royal Canadian Mounted Police, falls into the rummish cluthes of Screech, narrowly escapes icy death, and finds the beautiful maiden."The Boat Who Wouldn't Float" is a worthy vessel in which to sail the seas of leisure time. So fill your cup and drink deeply while the captain spins his tales.
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