The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman's Search for the Meaning of Wife |  | Author: Janna Cawrse Esarey
Publisher: Touchstone
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy Used: $0.89
as of 3/10/2010 20:53 MST details
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Seller: lookatabook
Rating:  70 reviews
Sales Rank: 15643
Media: Paperback
Edition: Original
Pages: 336
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1
ISBN: 1416589082
Dewey Decimal Number: 910.9164
EAN: 9781416589082
ASIN: 1416589082
Publication Date: June 2, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| • | ISBN13: 9781416589082 | | • | Condition: USED - VERY GOOD | | • | Notes: |
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Product Description
Choosing a mate is like picking house paint from one of those tiny color squares: You never know how it will look across a large expanse, or how it will change in different light.Meet Janna and Graeme. After a decade-long tango (together, apart, together, apart), they're back in love -- but the stress of nine-to-five is seriously hampering their happiness. So they quit their jobs, tie the knot, and untie the lines on a beat-up old sailboat for a most unusual honeymoon: a two-year voyage across the Pacific. But passage from first date to first mate is anything but smooth sailing. From the rugged Pacific Northwest coast to the blue lagoons of Polynesia to bustling Asian ports, Janna and Graeme find themselves at the mercy of poachers, under the spell of crossdressers, and under the gun of a less-than-sober tattooist. And they encounter do-or-die moments that threaten their safety, their sanity, and their marriage. Join Janna and Graeme's 17,000-mile journey and their quest to resolve the uncertainties so many couples face: How do you know if you've really found the One? How do you balance duty to others while preserving space for yourself? And, when the waters get rough, do you jump ship, or do you learn to navigate the world...together?
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
 Fun, Engaging Read, Author Has Potential March 9, 2010
L. Naugle (Jacksonville, FL)
This book was an immensely enjoyable read, such that I got swallowed up in it, carried away with the author's descriptions of her adventures, as well as her fledgling marriage which endures some growing pains upon the high seas. I don't normally read memoirs, but I found myself stealing moments to jump back into the author's world, (which often meant reading Motion of the Ocean with one hand while feeding a baby her bottle with the other-- I was into it#.
One of the interesting aspects of the book was that it seems to follow three different threads which all converge by the end: the evolution of Janna and Graeme's relationship; Janna's travel writing observations and tales of adventure on land and sea; and her personal journey as she gains confidence in her relationship, seamanship, and becomes a writer. The relationship-y thread was fascinating, the author really lays bare her marriage for the reader, to the point that the reader feels like they are eavesdropping... and some of those husband/wife conversations will likely sound startingly familiar to a lot of readers. But part of the book's charm is in Janna's sharp self-awareness-- warts and all, she calls 'em like she sees 'em. By the end of the story, you feel like you've been talking to a close girlfriend over coffee, her voice is that immediate and likeable.
Also, as a non-sailor, I was absolutely intrigued by the seafaring adventures and technical challenges this couple experienced-- in fact, I would have enjoyed hearing more about them. I actually felt a little nervous and excited as they embarked on their passage across the Pacific. I think it was while reading these parts of the book that I most annoyed my husband because I really wouldn't put the book down (or turn off the light in our bedroom so I could stay up reading).
There are some fantastically written passages-- I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the quiet night watches and a vibrant bike ride through a Mexican town-- those beautifully written moments really stand apart from the book as a whole, sometimes so poignant that they seem out of place from the overall narrative tone. But these same passages lead me to believe that this memoirist will probably make quite a novelist. I look forward to reading her future work!
J. Maarten Troost meets Anne Morrow Lindbergh February 27, 2010
Vandy Shrader (Belmont, CA United States)
My husband and I, who also spent our honeymoon aboard a small sailboat (though for only 2 weeks, NOT 2 years!) both enjoyed Motion of the Ocean. Janna Cawrse Esarey's tale of sailing and self-discovery describes the peaks and troughs of relationships and the ocean as she and her husband travel across the Pacific on their small sailboat. From her hilarious J. Maarten Troost-esque descriptions to her perceptive Anne Morrow Lindbergh-ian insights, Janna weaves a story that will keep you turning the pages to see what comes next!
Kudos to Janna for creating an enticing blend of humor, nautica, and introspection, and to Graeme for being a good sport.
We can't wait to hear about their latest adventures--with their new crew!
Fantastic! February 11, 2010
Bookwoman (Georgia USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved this travel/adventure memoir! The author compares life and marriage to life on a boat! The author is so witty and insightful! I will pass this on to all my friends!
A woman's adventure February 5, 2010
Helen Rock (Cary, NC United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this book after getting a postcard about it from the Annapolis boat show, then went straight home and ordered it. It was my personal "time to relax" reward for completing a certification exam. I laughed and laughed and laughed. At home, at the hair salon, in my car. From the first chapter, the book draws you into the author's life. Real life. Ups and downs, relationships, fears, insecurities, and accomplishments. An easy, well-written read. Great story, no pompous prose. It flows straight into the depths of your soul. My copy will be well worn when it's life is over, having been passed to mothers, daughters, friends, dockmates and coworkers. I can't imagine a woman not loving this book. Men would probably love it too - it sure would do them good to know what really goes on inside a woman's mind.
Truly a fun book! January 20, 2010
Erich's Amazon Account
There are few books that grasp my attention like "The Motion of the Ocean." I found it so enjoyable, it was hard to put down which made for a few very late nights. As new boat owners, my wife and I could totally relate, and had us laughing until tears came to our eyes. If you are looking for a hard core survival type book, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a fun book that in one way or another many of us can relate to, this is your book!!!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
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