Customer Reviews

Castaway

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Castaway" captivated my imagination from the very first page. The story of the constantly evolving relationship between the author Lucy Irvine and Gerald Kingsland touched my heart and soul. Starting in mid 1981 these two people, who met through a personals ad in a newspaper, take on the challenge of recreating a Robinson Crusoe experience on a deserted island. Can modern man/woman survive? Lucy Irvine excellently tracks two symultaneous stories throughout the book - what their day-to-day quest was like and the interpersonal relationship between Lucy and G. The emotions that leap off the pages through Lucy's unique statement and explanation writing style will make you feel like you are in her skin as she runs the gamut of the highs and lows in their adventure. Be sure to obtain a copy of the book that includes the maps AND pictures as they will help clarify statements in the text. I'm surprised this isn't required reading on every college campus as "Castaway" could be the handbook for today's women of great strength, independence and determination. A decade before the "age of women" Lucy Irvine demonstrates how an intelligent, strong and determined woman uses the power of her mind and body to not only keep herself alive but her man as well. She is the ultimate wind beneath his wings. Gerald Kingsland was convinced that a man and woman could find nirvana if they were left alone on a deserted island for at least a year to develop their relationship no matter how different they were to begin with. In 1996 in a newspaper interview while he was in London looking for a partner to accompany him on his 8th or 9th attempt to prove his theory Gerald called himself the "sex pest of the South Seas". Lucy Irvine was the only partner that ever survived an entire year with him. Castaway is the incredible story of how she did it. The only unfortunate thing is that "Castaway" feels like the second book in a trilogy with Lucy's "Runaway" being the first. Sure would like to see the remainder of her life story with a third book focused especially on her transition back to civilization after Tuin and what long-term effect her relationship with Gerald had on her future relationships. Was this the book that inspired "Castaway" on the BBC and "Survivor" on CBS? See what you think. The book is unfortunately out-of-print but more than worth the hassle of finding it wherever you can.

"Castaway" presents itself as a true story, and I suppose it is, whether it actually happened or not, because it is an allegory for the cultural conflicts involved in development. Lucy and G quickly settle into a survival mode on their island. They live quite primitively, making do with the small amount of provision they brought along. They live in a small tent without worries about material things. They eat naturally, wear no clothing, and live each day with the sun being their only clock. But, it was supposed to rain, and it didn't. Rain would have replenished their water supplies and nourished their garden. But it was an unexpectedly dry year. Their water dried up and their garden failed. They lost weight until they were little more than skeletons, lacking the strength to carry out more than the most basic functions of life. They would have doubtless died, except they were discovered by people living on another island a short boat ride away. These saviours brought them food and water. They also brought a couple missionary nurses who provided bandages and medicines.

Their lives were saved, but their lives were also irrevocably changed. The islanders came back, bringing more supplies. The discovered that G knew how to fix things and they began bringing all their broken motors for his repair. Lucy and G were no longer independent on their little island, but became dependent upon the outsiders. They felt obligated to wear clothing when the others were around, and the islanders even built them a shelter to protect them from the expected monsoons. Lucy Irvine successfully crafts a story which demonstrates how hard it is to live in isolation, whether a couple on an island or a tribe previously untouched by civilization. And while the world outside can indeed provide a lifeline, it can also strangle the heart of the culture. Although this book is out of print, it is well worth the searh to find it.

Well . . . looks like I am a lone dissenting voice on this island survival true-diary. Let me insert a preliminary disclaimer that I am not some kind of charter member of the "He-Man Woman Haters Club". However, a frank review ---

The big picture here; a writer-adventurer (Robert) advertises for a "wife" to live with him on an isolated deserted island for a year. This experience has been recorded in this book by the volunteer "wife", Lucy Irvine.

The tale is told one-sidely by the author, and Robert comes off as a lazy, unwashed, alcoholic. Reading between the lines, the author comes off as a snippy uncontentable b----.

The experience made me almost as miserable to read about as it apparently was for the participants. A record of exposure to the elements, food/water deprivation, vermin, infection, and two people living together in a small hut that don't like each other. I would have enjoyed more description of survival problem-solving, and the wonder of living in remote unspoiled isolation . . . instead I got continual mutinous murmuring focused on how much the author despised her co-habitant (shouldn't have signed up, huh?). They end up merely doing time, waiting for the piteous project to come to an end.

Ironically, the only refreshing glimmer of hope in their miserable situation comes after natives on a neighboring island discover that Robert is something of a talented and resourceful mechanic. He trades his skills for the material comforts that the natives can offer (thus, participation in a mini industrial civilization becomes their salvation). Next time, stay home . . . or utilize an island resort.

I appreciate the candor here, but I read for education and entertainment, not pain. I don't know or care if Robert ever wrote his book. Irvine comes off as a "head-gamer" that I don't like very much. Other reviewers seem to have enjoyed this. I found few surprises and much to dislike. Choose your own poison I suppose.

Wow...this book is just engrossing from the get-go. I've read it about four times and I still want to read it again. Lucy answered an ad for a "wife" and spent a year on a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Her story reads like the "Survivor" series should have. It's not only her daily accounts of life and surviving, it's a facinating look at relationships and human nature. You'll root for her long after the book is done!

a writer places an ad for a "wife" to live on a remote island. This sets the stage for a great adventure with a great lady. These two set off for a year on an island that they have not even seen! With bare essentials these two "rough it" and take you along for the ride.Lucy is a great person and your heart will follow her along ,in this tale with a twist. Its a true story that you have to read to believe.

Lucy Irvine is a survivor in the real sense of the word. She survived a year on a tropic island in a "marriage" from a personals ad for a "wife" by a writer who wanted to write a book about the experience. Lucy falls in love with the island. This is a wonderful story of their trials and triumphs. I read it years ago and it still stands in my mind as a great read.

Interesting,educational a great read, with insites on survival of the fittest and survival of relationships. Lucy relates her true feelings of an Island that she loves and a husband (of convenience) whom she grows to love. With no rainfall or arrival of a wet season their mere rations soon come to and end . Lucy relates her story of willpower and determination for her and G to now survive. In her search for survival she learns hunting methods by the Thursday Islanders and in turn gives the Islanders a trading system. A true,no frills warts and all account of a tale of two people in their fight for survival of not only themselves but their beloved island in the tropics.

I picked up a mass market paperback copy of Castaway years ago at a local drugstore. My dirty, dog-eared copy is favorite bedside fodder when I can't sleep and want a familiar, engrossing story to soothe me to sleep. Ms. Irvine writes beautifully, poetically, and over many readings, the book has not lost its appeal to me. Worth searching out a copy for your own.

A couple spend a year on a desert island off the coast of Australia. It tells of their struggle for survival against many hardships that they did not anticpate. It also brings out the conflicts between the man and the woman. If you love to read about survival stories, or ever fantisized about living on a tropical island, then this book is a must to read.

A great adventure. Lucy has a great deal of courage.
The book takes you into a different zone of life and
survival.