Review: At the time of sinking it appeared that the whale that attacked was unusually intelligent and extremely enraged
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 11, 2014
It is important for the reader to remember that this is NOT fiction, although it has been a resource for fiction. The author candidly admits that he is writing for money: he lost everything he had when he lost his investment in the ship and the whale-oil she was carrying. At the time of sinking it appeared that the whale that attacked was unusually intelligent and extremely enraged. The entire crew of 20 survived the sinking, but they had to crowd into three flimsly whaleboats with inadequate food and water. The narrative of events is appalling; cannibalism is spoken of in a matter-of-fact manner, including a man who lost the draw and calmly surrendered to being shot and eaten by his shipmates. Almost none of the crew ultimately survivied. I strongly recommend this gritty and believable book.