The story of Harvey Cheyne Jr., a teenaged millionaire’s son, initially pampered and spoiled, who falls to the sea from a luxurious transatlantic steamship. He is rescued by the crew of a fishing boat and faces months at sea before they plan to return to land.
Solid bildungsroman, although the action flags a little during the long months at sea, where the readers may also find themselves a bit lost among the sailors’ jargon. It’s a matter of absorbing the atmosphere and culture of the fishing boat, and see how Harvey finds his place among them.
I like 19th century adventure novels, although this one was more a bildungsroman rather than an adventure. It’s my first Kipling book and I enjoyed it. Probably the next one will be Kim.
by farseer4