The Boat Who Wouldn't Float

I was born on The Rock, but we moved away when I was an infant. But as a youth I was fortunate enough to have had the privilege of spending my summers with my grandmother in a small fishing village on Newfoundland's southwest coast. It was what a troubled youth raised in the suburbs of New York city needed to give balance to his life. I often think of those summers and long to be there, but, sad to say, circumstances prevent it. Farley Mowat, through his book, has brought to life many long forgotten memories of how wonderful it was sharing a few weeks each year with the unforgettable characters of Newfoundland. I guess the best critique I can offer for The Boat Who Wouldn't Float is in a letter I wrote to my 82 year old Aunt, who still lives in my grandmother's house overlooking St. George's bay; "Sorry I missed your call, Auntie. If you sense that Newfoundland's been on my mind you'd be right. Have you ever heard of Farley Mowat? I understand he's one of Canada's most celebrated authors. I'm currently reading his book The Boat Who Wouldn't Float. I don't think I've enjoyed reading anything as much in ages. He literally transports me to Newfoundland and is making me miserably homesick. His vivid descriptions of the people and their customs, their hard-scrabble lives, the picturesque fishing villages, and the history surrounding it all thoroughly entertains. I'll be sad when I run out of pages to turn. Fortunately, he's written a few more books about The Rock that will no doubt make me equally miserable. Think I'll go and read a couple more chapters right now..."

Great book. Funny. Read it

I JUST READ THE BOAT THAT WOULDN'T FLOAT FARLEY MOWAT WAS A GREAT WRITTER AND TOP GRADE A STORY TELLER I JUST LOVE THIS HILARIOUS DSEA WORTHLY TALE WHAT A FUN READ. I HAVE READ ALOT OF HIS OTHER GREAT FUNNY BOOKS.THE DOG WHO WOULDN'T BE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE FARLEY MOTWAT BOOK BY THE BOAT THAT WOULDN'T FLOAT. I LOVED THIS FUNNY BOOK ALOT IN FACT I AM THINKING NOW ABOUT GETTING A COPY OF IT TO GIVE A CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND WHO I HAVE BEEN GIVING COPIES OF MY FUNNIEST BOOKS TO FOR HER TO KEEP AND PASS ALONG IG SHE WANTS TO. I THINK SHE WILL REALLY LIKE IT AND ENJOY IT. AND LOVE IT I DID.

Farley Mowat is one of the most underrated and brilliant writers you will EVER encounter. Once you get into one of his books, you will look for more of his writings. The Boat... exposed his incredible humor, as will The Dog Who Wouldn't Be. Never Cry Wolf, People of the Deer, A Whale for the Killing, et al, will show you the intensity and depth of his observations and feelings regarding the ineptitude of Government Bureaucrats. He stands head and shoulders over the general mundane "naturalists", who are wont to skew their writings to advance an agenda. He deals only in FACTS, and sometimes it does not speak well of our so-called "intelligent humanity". Grey Seas Under, and The Serpents Coil will keep you glued to the books, right to the end. His genius and stories will live on long past ANY of his readers. Einar R. Petersen, Merchant Marine Chief Engineer

This must be the funniest of Farley Mowat's books, the true story of his sailing adventures off the southern coast of Newfoundland in a rickety little schooner with a mind of her own and a propensity for bad behavior. No matter how hard Mowat tries, he just can't get her to stop leaking or or even reliably follow a course. The book is so outrageous at times that it's hard to believe it's all true. This is an easy read, in thoroughly enjoyable Newfie seadog dialect, suitable for all ages. Yachtsmen and Newfoundland fans will not want to miss this book.

Witty and charming, takes you into a different time and makes it real.

I had actually read this book before, but had loaned my copy to someone and it was never returned. I enjoyed the re-read just as much as the first go-through! Farley Mowat is a first-class writer with a marvelous sense of how to use words for maximum impact and complete hilarity! Late teens and adults would love this book. It's a bit too complex for younger teens although there is no foul language or "situations" that would be improper.

I love this book and reread it thanks to a used copy from Amazon. It is great!

Die Lieferung war OK und das Buch in einwandfreiem Zustand. Das Buch kenne ich und würde es jedem empfehlen, der das Reisen und Meeresgeschichten liebt.

Canadian classic I'm told. Good price

Ho voluto rileggere un libro che mi accompagnò in un lungo viaggio di lavoro attraverso il Canada 30 anni fa... Nella sua vetustà lo proporrei come strumento per far pratica della lingua, un pò datata ma molto interessante e divertente.

My 12 years old son really loved it. It said it was funny. He found hard to read novel as he prefer factual book.

Easy reading full of bizarre and humorous passages. My only criticism, a tiny one, is that in this format the pages are rather crowded with words and the map is very unclear (too much heavy print)..