Wager (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) [Paperback]

Richard Woodman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 1999 | Series: Mariners Library Fiction Classic

Captain "Cracker Jack" Kemball of the tea clipper Erl King races Captain Richards of the Seawitch from Shangai to London. The wager: his daughter's hand in marriage.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Brilliantly told, the story catches every nuance… A convincing and compulsive seafaring story. --Oxford Times

The sea scenes rate high marks; and the historical background is inlaid with an abundance of well-chosen detail. Altogether, this is a feast for maritime fiction buffs. --ALA Booklist

About the Author

Richard Woodman has sailed in a variety of ships serving in ranks from apprentice to captain. Besides the Nathaniel Drinkwater series, he has written nautical fiction about tea-clippers and cargo liners. He remains a professional sailor, commanding an offshore support vessel, and is a member of the Society for Nautical Research. He lives in England.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 249 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (July 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574090801
• ISBN-13: 978-1574090802
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,617,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down!, June 16, 2000

By 

Alyssa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wager (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

I literally couldn't put this book down! I read it in a day and a half. It is the story of Hannah Kemball, 21 years old, who has to go with her captain father who she barely knows, on his ship to China in the tea trade, because her mother has just died. It is a wonderful look into the life and ships of the Victorian tea trade. She meets Munro, who has definate feeling for her, as she quickly picks up the sailing jargon and ability. In China her father makes a bet with a fellow captain over who will make it back to England first- and the wager is her hand in marriage! It is a great story of Hannah's independence, determination, and strength, without giving too much away. The only problem I had with it were all the sailing terms, which I know nothing about. But those aren't hard to get through, or at least brush over if you don't know them. This is an amazing story, and I would definately recommend it to anyone who wanted a good read.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting concept, but too unbelievable for me, August 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Wager (Mariner's Library Fiction Classics) (Paperback)

This seafaring tale involves an interesting concept: a bet between two ships as to who can get that year's tea harvest to London the fastest. Riding on the bet is not only money and prestige but the hand in marriage of one of the captains' daughters. This is a cool idea, but it was nearly ruined for me by the author's inclusion of plot points I just couldn't believe in. Firstly, when her father the captain dies, Hannah takes over the ship. I can't conceive of this ever happening in the time period concerned: there is simply no way that sailors would have allowed a woman to command them. It's possible that Woodman could have made her takeover more believable by giving it a stronger foundation in the plot, but as it is, I just can't suspend disbelief for it. Secondly, Hannah falls in love with the captain of the opposing ship. This is someone she's barely ever talked to, has spent no time with and essentially doesn't know. I could accept her falling in lust with him, but at the end of the book she apparently intends to marry this person, and there's every indication that they'll live happily ever after. That doesn't sound realistic to me. What saves this book somewhat, despite the rather shallow characterizations and the implausible elements of the plot, is the occasionally excellent quality of the writing. The author describes ships and the ocean beautifully.