Uncertain Voyage: A Novel

Tedious story of lone woman traveler who is depressed or out of sorts. Usually, Gilman books are a lot more interesting and engaging.

As a Dorothy Gilman fan, I liked this book. But it is quite different in that, although there is a mystery involved, this book is more of a character study. I would have like more intricacy to the mystery and less character study.

I thought this book was fantastic. As some of the other reviewers noted, it is very different from her Mrs. Pollifax series, and it is somewhat remarkable that one person could write both books. The Pollifax books are entertaining and a good tickle once in a while. This book on the other hand is all about the characters. It is as if you are actually inside the mind of the heroine, and you experience all her deep discoveries about her soul.

Those who gave this book a bad review are unfairly comparing it to Gilman's other books. Give her a break! This book is a completely different genre and should only be evaluated in that context. I considered it one of those rare stories that is sweet and insipiring without being corny or insipid. Anyone who has struggled inwardly with self-esteem or has had some trepidation about travelling alone (and come on, folks, isn't that somewhat true of all of us?) will find this an engaging read.

I like this book probably because in a real strange way it mirrored my own life just a little. Coming out of a 15 year marriage to a psychologically abusive alcoholic marriage.. this book just felt good.. the story fit like a glove for me. I just enjoyed this book tremendously. It is a departure from the Mrs Pollifax series stories but very enjoyable. I cant believe this book didnt get more stars from other readers.. but thats ok.. to each his own.. I loved this book!

I am a Dorothy Gilman fan; the only one of her books I haven't taken to was Incident at Badamya. This one definitely touched me. I thought it was an accurate and insightful portrait of Melissa's (was that her name?) progress towards freedom from depression and a bad childhood. Yes, it was set in the framework of a spy novel, which is fun, but the real story is what happens to her on the inside. I thought Gilman did an excellent job of conveying how the world seemed like to Melissa at the beginning of her journey and how it seemed to her at the end. Often it seems like people suffering from depression and people who are not are totally unable to communicate, really unable to see the world from the other's perspective however much they try. I especially liked the insight that she couldn't truly love or see other people as they were until she got over herself. Melissa felt like a real individual to me. She wasn't perfect or predictable but she was likable and special.On the down side, I suppose that if you weren't in the mood for this sort of book, then the continuous introspection and Melissa's initial fear and inability to deal with the world could be a bit tiresome. But if I'm in an introspective mood myself, or if it's a rainy day and I want something to match, this is a lovely book. Quite uplifting.