This book was a nerve-wracking rollick through the seas. The writing evoked both fear and seasicksickness as the seas became rougher! It spoke deeply of the quiet hurt of fishermen's wives, the devotion fisherman have to each other, their boats and the ocean, and the ever-present dangers of the sea-faring life. The author used an interesting technique whereby he had two stories going at once--the present going backward and the past going forward. It worked and neither narrative detracted from the other. There were some places in the narrative which needed to be reread in order to be more clearly understood. In addition, there were a few technical words relating to fishing and boating which might have interfered with the reading pleasure of someone not as knowledgeable about maritime life. Nevertheless, this was a story well told and worth reading.

I guess, in many ways, the sea has a powerful influence over the lives of people. Being from Texas, I have only visited the sea - I have never lived by it. This was a fascinating book about people's lives who depend on the sea. During the book, I found myself less concened with the sea and its actions and more involved in the stories of the characters. This book is a story about people and the relationships formed by the sea and because of the sea. The author does a good job of leaving something for the imagination. The story isn't over when the book ends. This, in my mind, is the sign of a great author.

Koepf honors two great American traditions in his fine work: the power of the individual personality and the wonder of the ocean.The sea has held a special place in the American imagination. Rarely is an environment captured so completely as Koepf's world of northern California fishermen. As a tribute to the author's storytelling you need not fish or even live by the sea to appreciate this novel. Anyone can appreciate this story of an American family caught in conflict with a world as changeable as coastline weather. The characters stand as proud, moving examples of independence and fortitude. Koepf acutely evokes the mythical, mysterious power of the ocean, in all its beauty, grandeuer, force and terror while avoiding assigning a judgemental or definitive "personality" to it. This book overflows with action, suspense, romance and heartbreak and is tightly woven with simple but evocative prose. In search of a compelling story that continues to haunt after the last page is turned? Read this book.