A fictional biography of John Robert Shaw, who, in 1926, crash-landed on a desolate island inhabited by Eskimos, is the story of his struggles in a harsh environment and discovery of the meaning of life, love, and courage. A first novel.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Australian Harris's first novel is a compelling fictional biography of John Robert Shaw, a South Carolinian who crashed his plane on an uncharted island somewhere north of Anchorage in 1926 and spent 17 years living among the Eskimos who rescued him and nursed his broken body (he lost his left arm in the crash) back to a semblance of health. How much of the account is based on real events is unclear, but the tale that unfolds, mostly through Shaw's narration, is memorable. Even as the downed aviator adjusts to his new life with Kioki, the Eskimo woman he comes to love and to have children with, Shaw finds refuge from his stark, unforgiving surroundings in memories of his past life: of his lonely, widowed mother; of his sister Meg, an erstwhile ballerina struck down by polio; of Billy Taylor, the father figure who taught him to fly; of Bobby Sullivan, the best friend who died in his arms after a crash; of Sally, the woman with whom he shared a single night during his doomed flight but whom he can never forget. This moving novel is about courage and growth and survival, about how Shaw comes to love the barren world in which he at first feels trapped and abandoned. Concluding with two dramatic homecomings, it makes an unforgettable story.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
YA?John Robert Shaw's plane crashes on a small island in the Aleutians in 1926; when the 24-year-old Georgian wakes up, his arm has been amputated, his face severely scarred, and his leg is rendered almost useless. There are no trees on the island and winter lasts most of the year. There are also no radios. During his 17 years there, he slowly adjusts; marries two of the chief's daughters; helps raise his son and daughter; gathers shellfish; and hunts. In 1943, the American Army evacuates the island in one day. One of the soldiers tries to rape Shaw's 11-year-old daughter. Soon after, he visits his hometown, and then moves to Alaska. This fictional account of a true incident starts slowly but will hold interest. Shaw's adjustment to the sudden change of culture and physical capability is the crux of the novel and the author is skilled at orchestrating his gradual realizations. An accomplished debut.?Clodagh Lee, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating read,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Longest Winter (Hardcover)
I became engrossed in the fascinating culture of these people whom the main character ends up living with, and learning so much from. This was one of those books you wish didn't end, or at least you wish you could follow the characters through the rest of their lives and find out what happens to them after you finish the last page.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Facinating,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Longest Winter (Hardcover)
This is one of the best books I ever read. It is a facinating story about a man living in our times, who suddenly finds himself living among Eskimos, according to THEIR ways and traditions. These Eskimos have little or no knowledge of the world outside of their frozen tundra and speak their own language. The author did a splendid job of telling the story, it was compelling. It is hard to imagine a culture so different from our own and was simply facinating reading about this man trying to adjust to their ways, as he had no choice, because he was stuck there. THIS book should be a movie, of this I have no doubt.
5.0 out of 5 stars
gripping tale..not to be missed,
By Kate Lawry (camrose, alberta, CA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Longest Winter (Hardcover)
You are captured by this extraordinary tale, from the moment it begins. The story takes you on a ride through a unbelievable yet believable journey that touches and taps your heart from every angle.Gripping is the best way for me to describe this book. Again, does not disappoint and delivers the high standard of writing that we have come to expect from Julie Harris. Highly recommended.
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