English Passengers
Registered by rem_VSP-560485 on 2/20/2006
2 journalers for this copy...
It's a rather funny adventure novel with many colourful characters, which could be summed up like this:
Book description (from the publisher)
English Passengers presents the diverse and often conflicting perspectives of a remarkable cast of characters--including British convicts, government officials, missionaries who impose their European standards and self-serving rules on the native population, aboriginal Tasmanians caught in a desperate struggle for survival, and members of a bizarre expedition searching for the Garden of Eden.
Book description (from the publisher)
English Passengers presents the diverse and often conflicting perspectives of a remarkable cast of characters--including British convicts, government officials, missionaries who impose their European standards and self-serving rules on the native population, aboriginal Tasmanians caught in a desperate struggle for survival, and members of a bizarre expedition searching for the Garden of Eden.
Mailed to FeralReader this morning as part of a trade.
Arrived in Davis, California on a beautiful early spring day. Thank you very much, aunt-sophie!
A richly, rewarding reading experience!!!
I am the dyslectic husband of an avid BookCrosser (FeralReader), and I almost never begin to read a book that is much more than 300 pages in length. ENGLISH PASSENGERS looked interesting enough that I decided to read perhaps 20-to-30 pages merely to get a feel for its style and character. It was so compelling and satisfying that I was able not only to make it through all of its 442 pages but to thoroughly enjoy every one of them.
I am the dyslectic husband of an avid BookCrosser (FeralReader), and I almost never begin to read a book that is much more than 300 pages in length. ENGLISH PASSENGERS looked interesting enough that I decided to read perhaps 20-to-30 pages merely to get a feel for its style and character. It was so compelling and satisfying that I was able not only to make it through all of its 442 pages but to thoroughly enjoy every one of them.
Just finished reading this amazing book. Thank you, aunt-sophie, for sending it to me. The style of narrating from each character's point of view has been perfected here, brilliantly. I am quite impressed with the author's grasp of the deadly culture clash that took place in the mid-19th century in Tasmania, and the economic, academic, religious and social forces behind it. He conveys this tragic tale with such finesse that I was thoroughly entertained from the first page to the last. This book made me laugh, made me hurt, and stirred my compassion for the clumsy, short-sighted efforts of mortals everywhere to elevate themselves above their perceived lot in life.
(I originally heard of this book through another BookCrosser's comment that it should have been the Booker Prize winner the year it was awarded to Atwood's 'Blind Assassin.' Having read both, I heartily agree).
(I originally heard of this book through another BookCrosser's comment that it should have been the Booker Prize winner the year it was awarded to Atwood's 'Blind Assassin.' Having read both, I heartily agree).
Sent this book north today, to be shared with a family friend, with love.
