Captain, My Captain

Captain, My Captain is a historical fiction novel written by Deborah Meroff. It is set against the colorful background of clipper ships and the California Gold Rush. In their haste to get to California, many clipper ship captains raced their fellow captains. It was a sort of sport but also dead serious; there were many perils on the open sea, especially going round the Horn. Joshua Patten knows this, but pays little mind to it as he races his clipper, the Neptune's Car. Not only does he want to reach California first, but he also wants to beat the record. Is this reckless behavior putting himself, his crew, and his new wife in danger?

Mary was only sixteen when she married Joshua Patten. She barely knew him before he dragged her off to make a voyage with him. Telling the story in her own words, Mary recounts the adventures of their first and second voyages. She also tells of her own struggles with boredom, loneliness, and fear. But as she and Joshua try to see eye to eye and just can't seem to make it work, both of them wonder if they made a mistake. Will this young couple find a way to keep their marriage in tact; will the crew trust a woman who is meant to be bad luck; and will the Neptune's Car round the Horn safely?

This is a wonderfully written book, giving detailed description of clipper ships in that era. I would recommend having only ten and up read this book due to tense storm scenes and a very heart- wrenching scene near the end. Please note, you may want to do a little research on 18th century clipper ships due to vivid descriptions of some of the rigging and top sails. This book has a wonderful way of twisting a salvation story into one of a ship rounding the Horn; it shows that God must be the captain of your life or you will surely sink.

*****

RJ