Absalom's Wake-Gone A' Whaling Nancy A Collins
Reviewed by Mallory Heart Reviews
Poor Jonah Padgett: he thinks he’s doing the right thing by transforming from a Midwestern landlubber to a seagoing salt, taking up as crew on a whaler, an exceedingly dangerous position. But like a lot of 19th century boys, from farms or small inland communities, Jonah wishes to travel the world; and he also wishes to emulate his much admired Uncle Calvin. Calvin, a former whaler, has provided Jonah with a letter of recommendation to a particular whaling captain. Of course, Jonah has to pretend his name is Jonas, because Jonah has difficult connotations for superstitious sailors!
Once aboard the Absalom, Jonah settles in well, and finds the voyage demanding, yet rewarding. The real difficulty arises, though, not from the dangers of rampaging wounded whales nor from sharks attracted by the blood, nor even from storms at sea; what Jonah sees at midnight devouring, what has clambered up from the water-now, that’s the real horror.
Ms. Collins weaves a taut plotline with an endearing protagonist, and a wealth of 19th century details, including the whaling industry. Just when the reader thinks it’s safe to take a breath, she whips out the cliffhanger ending, leaving us hanging on, jaw agape, heart pounding-waiting for the next episode. “Absalom’s Wake” is being published in serial form, reminding us readers of the times of Charles Dickens and other 19th century authors, when serial publication in magazines was so prevalent, and expected.
Collins was born in McGehee, Arkansas, United States. She lived in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1980s; after time in New York City and Atlanta, Georgia she settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in the late 2000s.
Collins has written twenty novels since 1989, many of which refer to and directly include races of creatures the author calls Pretenders, monsters from myth and legend passing as human to better hunt their prey.
Collins has also written a number of highly acclaimed Southern Gothic short stories and novellas, most of which are set in Seven Devils, Arkansas, a highly fictionalized version of her hometown.
Most recently, she has focused her attention onto the Golgotham urban fantasy series,published by Penguin. Golgotham is the 'supernatural' ghetto of New York City, where creatures from myth and folklore--including witches,shapeshifters,leprechauns and centaurs--live and work in uneasy alliance with mankind.
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Reviewed by Mallory Heart Reviews
Review: Absalom's Wake-Gone A' Whaling by Nancy A. Collins
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Reviewed by Unknown
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