Quite a wonderful book. I imagine that a few women might get their feathers ruffled by this book, but only the ones who have no sense of humor.
One of cleverest things about this book is that you think you're reading about a man, the artist Gulliver Quick, only to slowly realize you're reading about women.
The author covers the movement of womens'growth cleverly, and she deals well (and honestly) with the finesse of relationships between women -- and all this while ostensibly writing about a man.
And the dog. Marikette, the beloved dog of Gulliver, is a dog who goes down in literary history.
A fine book, an excellent read.

As a man I was startled by this book. It was as if Ms Earl had looked deep into my private thoughts. I do not recall reading a book that describes so well the male psyche, with both compassion and truth -- and, thank God, humor. I know Gulliver Quick! I suspect all men know him well. I strongly urge people to read this book, it is extraordinary. Maureen Earl's second novel BOAT OF STONE is powerful and gleaned many deserved marvelous reviews, but in many respects I find QULLIVER QUICK to be a far more original book. Certianly I have read nothing like it before. The characters are alive, the women who populated the book will live with me for a long time. At times this book is truly breathtaking in its insight.

I don't think any review about GULLIVER QUICK can sum up the scope of this book. It almost defies review -- as it defies catagory. Given this is Ms Earl's first novel only makes it a more remarkable piece of work. I laughed, I cried, and feel richer for having read it. Thank you, Maureen Earl! I think that the only other book I have enjoyed so much about men and women is THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING. It is that good.

I do not recall a protaganist as wise and loveable as Hanna Sommerfiled of BOAT OF STONE. This is really an amazing book, gripping and moving. The research is immecpable, but at no stage interfers with the story. Seamlessly written with flashbacks told by Hanna. I shall never forget this book. I rate it BEST!

I read this book after reading Maureen Earl's earlier book, GULLIVER QUICK. I was really not prepared for the power that I found in BOAT OF STONE. Ms Earl has written a book that is both important and enormously gripping. That the book is based on a real story only makes it more amazing. This is a book that will survive into the ages, a must read.

This little known history of WW11 is written with extreme sensitivity by Maureen Earl. Her ability to knit fact with fiction, and her seamless story telling, passing back and forth in time, is executed with true grace and talent. I heartily recommend this book for all. It's high time this story was brought to light. Set in Europe, then on the ill fated ship, the SS Atlantic, the book tells the true story of the British imprisoning desperate refugees on a tropical island off the east coast of Africa. The amazing turns in this story are due to Ms Earl's exceptional writing. That we are able to laugh while reading this book is a credit to the author and the unforgettable Hanna Sommerfield, the main character of this remarkable book. Five Stars.