Customer Reviews

Red Sky Morning

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4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
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I learned a new side to Rafkin in this book. When I first picked it up, I expected another installment of his famous ORCA adventures, but was surprised to see that this book has a very different theme. It describes the adventures of a young man during a summer on a fishing boat. Of course, any book by Rafkin has to include adventure and gripping story lines that capture the full attention of the reader and no different here. Let's just say, this is the "Deadliest Catch" on steroids. I found myself engrossed with the lives of the crew and the life on a commercial fishing vessel that is in the Ocean and faces threats of similar magnitude as the fishermen in Alaska.
Reading the book, I learned something about Rafkin as well. He has great admiration for commercial fishermen because he spent time on these vessels when he was younger and has first hand experience of how tough and dangerous the life on such a vessel can be.
You can tell from the book that this is not a book based on second-hand research, but a book based on first-hand experience and the admiration for the men who are commercial fishermen comes clearly through.
For anyone who likes the Deadliest Catch and their adventures or who likes to read about the Ocean and men who make a living from it will certainly enjoy this book.

Who hasn't heard that old sailor-esque saying that includes the title of this book? "Red Sky Morning" by Andrew J Rafkin tells the tale of one man's adventures through a life with the sea. From his days as a young fisherman just earning his sea legs to later times when the money was there for the taking if you had a sea-faring soul, the reader is swept into a story of the highs and lows of this watery world. But the sea is not always going to give up it's riches without a price....a lesson that our Andrew learns in a crushing twenty four hour fight for his life.

Filled with the raw emotion that comes from having "been there, done that", Andrew Rafkin lets readers take a peek inside the world of the illusive fisherman. You may be surprised by all it entales. Upon reaching books end though...you will certainly have a new found respect for both them and their trade. An interesting read for sports enthusiasts and even those that merely love a real life adventure on the high seas....

In his new book "Red Sky Morning" Andrew Rafkin reflects on his tremendous respect for the ocean and a love for sports fishing. Rafkin relives the summer he turned 17 in this coming of age fast moving adventure of his summer as a member of the crew on a commercial tuna fishing boat.

Andrew a gifted story teller uses the first person narrative in telling his story. He drew me into his life by taking me back to my own teen years. A younger Andy relates the adventure from his viewpoint, including tales of liaisons with Rosa, Lauren, Nicole, and Erin. These relationships add an element of romance to Andy's 17th summer. In a climatic ending Andy fast forwards to a setting two years later and an unforgettable adventure on a commercial fishing trip that turned a dream opportunity into recurring nightmares.

The book is rich in information on the back ground of sports fishing and the history of commercial fishing and reveals Andy's love for the ocean and fishing. He takes the reader from Monterey to San Diego on the West Coast all along the East Coast from Florida to Massachusetts. He describes the Western Ace as a modern day purse seiner that cruised at 11 to 12 knots with the capacity to hold 800 tons of fish.

I became personally involved as Andy described the fourteen members of the crew and their reaction to the delays in port, the thrill of the catch, the tropical rains, the hurricane force winds, and the crashing waves battering against the ship. The life of a commercial fisherman is perilous and is the most dangerous of all professions experiencing more fatalities per year than any other vocation.

I was moved as Andy recalled of the importance of the summer as a bonding experience with his father. He remembers it as the most important time ever spent with his father. Prior to this summer, it was not unusual to only see him a few days between fishing trips. Being on the crew with him gave Andy the opportunity to get to know his father in his domain. He gained a new respect for him and came to understand the awesome responsibility of being captain over a crew of men.

"Red Sky Morning" is a gripping seafaring adventure story written for sports fishermen, for anyone who loves the ocean, or for those who own or have dreams of owning their own boat, catamaran, or yacht.

Taking a look into the life of a fisherman wasn't really up my alley, but the more I got into this book the more I truly enjoyed it. Yes is references many thoughts on commercial fishing, but it's more than that. This books takes you on an adventure that will keep you reading, "just one more chapter." The characters in this book are not only interesting, but they remind me of people in my own life. I now have a new found appreciation for commercial fishing. If you pick this book up, you won't be disappointed.

"Red Sky Morning" by Andrew J. Rafkin was a pleasant surprise for me to read. After having read some of his fast paced techno thrillers I decided to give this one a try. In this novel, Rafkin tells the story of the life and times of a sailor on a commercial fishing vessel. The story begins with a teenage boy who is looking for a way to make money during his summer break. Little does he know that the challenges of getting safely to the boat are the least of his worries. His summer off is plagued with long hours, little sleep, and deadly weather all of which must be overcome in order to catch the tuna they are chasing.

Andrew Rafkin gives his readers a surprise in his novel "Red Sky Morning" Though I was expecting another novel like his others involving the ORCA adventures, I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into the author's past. I am always fascinated with how author's get their stories and where they came from and what helped shape their writings. Red Sky Morning talks about the summer Andrew spent on a fishing boat. I was originally skeptical about how interested I would be in a fishing story but the author's story will draw you in and you will readt his novel much faster than you think. It contains adventure, antcipation and a few parts will eave you on the edge of your seat, feverishly turning pages. It is a wonderful novel filled with his usual imagery and character development. You will also learn a lt about commercial fishing. I now have so much respect for fishermen and all they must endure out at sea. I don't want to give away the surprises, but they are there so pick up this book soon.

Not many people have faced events that have had a profound effect on their life. In "Red Sky Morning" Andrew J. Rafkin shares his story with several friends while on a fishing trip. Knowing of his experience as a commercial fisher, his friends ask him to regale them with tales of his fishing catches and adventures on the high seas. Wheat they hear is a chilling tale that almost ended Rafkin's life. This harrowing trip on a friends fishing boat haunts his dreams decades later. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys reading about ocean adventures or real life drama.

When you read this book titled "Red Morning Sky" by Andrew Rafkin you will have to pull yourself back and remember that this is not part of his ORCA series. Once you do that then you can actually sit back and enjoy the adventures of a young boy or young adult and his first real fishing trip that helped him find his way.

It probably helped guide him since this author has a passion for the water. It shows you the ups and downs of the weather and how small any size boat can become in the ocean when it is upset. I'm sure everyone has seen the shows on fishing in the ocean and how cruel the waters can be. The friends you make and how you learn to depend on each other.

The crew brings the story together, plus how often do you get to work with your dad and honestly get to spend the time with him doing what he loves best. Commercial fishing is nothing to take for granted and the waters are a quick reminder to show you how fragile human life is. This is an adventure, and experience, a story of life and an experience that cannot be forgotten by this author. A book you will enjoy.

First of all, I have to comment on the cover of this book. I found it to be very engaging and eye catching - which always bodes well for me. For some reason (good or bad?) if I like the cover, I am always more apt to love the storyline as well.

Fortunatly, the storyline was extremely engaging. The story premise is somewhat basic in that a 17 year old boy ends up spending his summer on the water, fishing with his dad. While this may sound kind of "hum hum" - it was actually a wonderful premise for the storyline that develops from there.

Red Sky Morning is about a young man discovering who he is, but also discovering about life. Through a series of events that happen to him, over the course of the summer - including wonderful ones such as discovering women and his own attraction, to gaining a better understanding that life can be harsh - this book explores the need for every one to grow up, at their own pace, living their own experiences.

I liked the portrayal of the relationship between the son and father - at times touching, at times more complicated. In fact, it was interesting to me that both son and father were given "growing up moments" in this book.

The pace was nice, although at times, it could have picked up just a bit. However, this is a very minor complaint for a storyline and book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

"Red Sky Morning" by Andrew J Rafkin takes you a a real life summer adventure of a 17 year just coming of age. This is the first book by Rafkin that I have read an I found it enjoyable and interesting. It is about a teenager spending the summer with his father on a commercial fishing expedition that takes him on an adventure that he will never forget.

The story also gives you elements of a young man and his liaisons with several females so romance is included. It is not just about the water.

As Andrew bonds with his father he finds that the ocean is very dangerous and weather unpredictable. They have to battle hurricane winds and storms as well as delays in ports. The trip gives him an insight on what his father has to deal with on these fishing expeditions and a new found respect for him and his profession.

The story has romance, adventure and father and son bonding. It is worth the read.