From Publishers Weekly
This is a fictionalized account of an actual event: 22-year-old Poon Lim's 133 days alone at sea following the WW II sinking in the South Atlantic of the British freighter on which this Chinese steward worked. Based on interviews with Poon, the reconstruction shows us a meek, dependent person who is suddenly thrown on his own resources to remain alive. Although he finds a lightly-stocked emergency raft in the debris of the sunken ship, he immediately encounters the first of many challenges: English-language labels on food cans, flares and other items. Through tortuous trial and error, Poon survives after the supplies run out. He learns to fish with a nail, to collect rainwater and to keep alert despite storms, blazing sun and nighttime cold. Five months later, when he washes ashore in Brazil, he is a matured man. Poon's experience makes for a dignified, uplifting adventure tale. Dolphin Book Club alternate. November
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
YA The British merchant ship Benlomond was torpedoed by a German U-Boat off the coast of Brazil on November 23, 1942. Of the 55 crew members on board, only a 24-year-old Chinese second steward survived. To this day, Poon Lim holds the Guinness world record for survival at sea. McCunn, who interviewed Poon Lim in 1982, 40 years after this remarkable ordeal took place, presents an exciting account of how Poon Lim stayed alive from the time his ship was sunk until 133 days later when he was picked up by fishermen just off the coast of Brazil. Because of the time lapse, McCunn has written his story in the form of a novel. There are black-and-white photographs of Poon Lim's tools, raft and of him just after his rescue. A vivid account of how one man used his intelligence and ingenuity to survive against incredible odds. Pat Royal, Prince George's County Public School System, Md.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
