Customer Reviews

Uncertain Voyage

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am a Dorothy Gilman fan; the only one of her books I haven't taken to was Incident at Badamya. This one definitely touched me. I thought it was an accurate and insightful portrait of Melissa's (was that her name?) progress towards freedom from depression and a bad childhood. Yes, it was set in the framework of a spy novel, which is fun, but the real story is what happens to her on the inside.

I thought Gilman did an excellent job of conveying how the world seemed like to Melissa at the beginning of her journey and how it seemed to her at the end. Often it seems like people suffering from depression and people who are not are totally unable to communicate, really unable to see the world from the other's perspective however much they try. I especially liked the insight that she couldn't truly love or see other people as they were until she got over herself. Melissa felt like a real individual to me. She wasn't perfect or predictable but she was likable and special.

On the down side, I suppose that if you weren't in the mood for this sort of book, then the continuous introspection and Melissa's initial fear and inability to deal with the world could be a bit tiresome. But if I'm in an introspective mood myself, or if it's a rainy day and I want something to match, this is a lovely book. Quite uplifting.

I thought this book was fantastic. As some of the other reviewers noted, it is very different from her Mrs. Pollifax series, and it is somewhat remarkable that one person could write both books. The Pollifax books are entertaining and a good tickle once in a while. This book on the other hand is all about the characters. It is as if you are actually inside the mind of the heroine, and you experience all her deep discoveries about her soul.

Those who gave this book a bad review are unfairly comparing it to Gilman's other books. Give her a break! This book is a completely different genre and should only be evaluated in that context. I considered it one of those rare stories that is sweet and insipiring without being corny or insipid. Anyone who has struggled inwardly with self-esteem or has had some trepidation about travelling alone (and come on, folks, isn't that somewhat true of all of us?) will find this an engaging read.

If you're looking for a slower-paced introspective story about a woman's journy to "finding herself," with a little mystery and travel thrown in, then this book is for you.

This is a little different from Gilman's other stories, where action and mystery set the stage. This one is about a woman who is coming out of a difficult past and forcing herself to be real again. At times it seemed to be wordy, but it was all to develop the character and the journey.

I found it a good read and sympathized with the character. Not that I had gone through what she has, but we all have our darker times. She started as a selfish silly woman into someone who was sufficient and finaly took responsibility for herself. This is well worth the time to take to read.

I have read most of Dorothy Gilman's books and loved them. I especially enjoyed the "Mrs. Pollifax" series. However, I have found "Uncertain Voyage" to be the worst Dorothy Gilman book I have ever read. I have read 142 pages of it so far...thinking with each page that I read the next one will be better, but it is so boring I don't know if I will be able to finish it. Melissa is so cocerned with her past nervous break down and Adam there is hardly time for anything else. Basically it is just very predictable. There no twist and turns or surprises in it. If you have ever read a mystery novel you know how it ends almost from the begining. Some people may love the book. However, I do not think it was worth buying brand new. In my opion it might be worth buying it used for 25 cents or less, but only if you are desperate to find something to read.

I have long been an avid reader and supporter of Dorothy Gillman's' work and have enjoyed every book until I read this one. This book is about a pitiful woman trying to get her life back on track, but all she does is whine and feel sorry for her past, present and future life. Nearly the entire story is filled with her self-doubt and insecurities. She is afraid of everything and nearly everyone. I believe this could have been established without beating us over the head with her continual annoying repeated "woe is me dialogue". I had a hard time just finishing this book and the ending leaves a lot to be desired.

I will still read Ms. Gilman's' work, but wish had not purchased this book - it will forever make me wonder, when I read one of her books, if I will regret getting it.

If you aren't into self-loathing then pick up the Mrs. Pollifax series and have fun escaping. (The reason I pick up mysteries in the first place).

I have read and enjoyed most of Dorothy Gilman's novels. This is the only one that I would not recommend. The plot is disappointing and the characters fall far short of compelling. Ah well, perhaps 1967 just wasn't such a great year after all...

I love Dorothy Gilman's books. I have all the Mrs. Pollifax and am collecting her stand alone novels. After I labored through Uncertain Voyage I thought it should be retitled "Uncertain How It Ever Got Published". Thankfully, I only payed $.50 for it at a used bookstore. If you've never read Dorothy Gilman, please don't start with this book. Read her Mrs. Pollifax series or Thale's Folly to really find out what a terrific author she is.

I purchased this as it is a tape of a book written by Dorothy Gilman. Her series on Mrs. Polifax I love. I was hoping for something on that order. This is not. It is about a woman's journey and finding herself. If you are looking for something on that order. It is well written and I think you might like it.

I had only read Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax books before this book. Melissa, the main character, was so self absorbed and that made the beginning tedious. That didn't last long. I soon knew that real action was forthcoming; a man she hoped would provide some excitement in her life just asked her to do an errand for him. His short lived appearance promised that Melissa would encounter real trouble later on. The "real trouble" was foreshadowed repeatedly, and skillfully.

Melissa did find romantic excitement. I didn't appreciate one aspect of the romance (others wouldn't be so disproving) but the feelings that Melissa and the man developed for each other were heartwarming in view of the trauma they had both had in prior relationships and childhoods.

The story became spell binding when Melissa was again on her own and was snagged by the villains. How she dealt with this was amazing. The conclusion may seem implausible, but having managed some physical feats as a middle aged woman, I can believe it possible. Melissa is a great example of rising to the occasion after conquering her own emotions.