Synopses & Reviews
An astonishing tale of survival in Alaska, this poignant Robinson Crusoe story is based on true events A year after his mother dies, 16-year old Seth and his dog, Tucker, are washed overboard from his father's fishing boat during a torrential storm, and are assumed drowned. But by good fortune, Seth and Tucker make it safely to one of the hundreds of islands that line the Alaskan coast. Over many months, the two castaways endure hardships to survive off the land and the sea as they make their way, island by island, toward home. More than an adventure novel, this is a story about reconciliation, about heritage, and about struggling to deal with grief.
Review
"More psychological depth than Robinson Crusoe." —Frank McCourt, author, Angela's Ashes
Synopsis
Based on true events from the author's own life, this is a poignant modern version of Robinson Crusoe.
This is an astonishing tale of survival; a poignant Robinson Crusoe story, based on true events. When Seth and his dog, Tucker, are washed overboard from his father's fishing boat during a torrential storm, they are assumed drowned. But by good fortune, Seth and Tucker make it safely to one of the hundreds of islands that line the Alaskan coast. Over many months, the boy and his dog make their way, island by island, towards home, while Seth's desperate father never gives up hope. Along the way, Seth learns many hard lessons about survival, and even harder lessons about himself.
About the Author
JOHN SMELCER studied at Oxford and Cambridge and has two PhDs in literature. A noted poet, his most recent books include The Binghamton Poems, selected and edited by three-time Pulitzer Prize winner John Updike, and Raven Speaks, originally published in Great Britain by the late Ted Hughes. He is a great voice for the Native American point of view, as he is himself an Ahtna Athabaskan Indian. He lives in New York with his partner.