Abigail

For those of you who enjoy a historical novel this is a great read. Set in NZ about the turn of the 19th century it tells the story of the daughter of a whaling Captain.It has gripping descriptions of whaling practises and life aboard a whale boat yet at the same time there is a very warm,human story of this young girls loves and life.I found Abigail hard to put down once i had started reading and can throughly recommend it.

Whales breach, harpoons fly, blubber melts, canvas fills, sailors chant, and action abounds as Druett explains the complicated and fascinating business of whaling through the life of the title character, a young woman born aboard a ship involved in that dangerous, bloody, smoky maritime enterprise. The action travels from the wilds of Mongonui, New Zealand,(where Abigail and her father live and her father hopes to make his fortune) to the far more sedate and civilized New Bedford, Massachusetts, then center for one of the 19th century's most lucrative businesses. If murder, mystery, and mayhem weren't enough, this fascinating tale pulses with period detail as well. Written by the author of the very well-received Hen Frigates (named as one of the New York Public Library's "Books to Remember 1999"), Abigail was first released in hard cover by Random House in 1988, then again in paper by Bantam, both editions with covers that made them look like real bodice-rippers, which the book most certainly is not. Some enterprising publisher ought to option Abigail, out-of-print for several years now and release it in a nice trade paper edition sans the sensational covers. The book belongs in the genre of fine historical fiction, as in the writings of Iain Pears and Margaret George, both noted for their historical accuracy. Who knows, now that period films are back in fashion, maybe someone will option if to film and star Gwyneth Paltrow as Abigail.

I picked up this book recently and couldn't bear to put it down. I'm disappointed that I'm done with it! The characters were believable and interesting. They were an intrinsic part of a solid, suspenseful tale told at an exciting pace. The wealth of fascinating, historically accurate detail about the whaling industry in the early 1820s was woven artfully throughout the story. Ms. Druett does a great job of twisting the plot, so just when you think you know what's going to happen...it doesn't. A wonderful read! Highly recommended.

If there is any tiny particle in you that responds to the romance of tall ships, this book will find it. Abigail is a lovable, impulsive girl who makes me recall my own experiences and feelings at her age. I fell a bit in love with her handsome, ethical, yet exasperating sea captain, Seth, myself, but then aren't most men exasperating? I found this novel full of characters and plotlines that really held my interest. The vivid and authoritative accounts of life aboard a whaling ship in the 19th century were perhaps the best thing about this book. I highly recommend it.

I don't know how you can read one of Joan Druett's books and not want to be the character. I often wonder at the scope of it all - the huge ocean and traveling from point of land to point of land but Joan Druett brings it all to you in this story. Her name is always on my mind when I enter any bookstore looking for books.