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The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman's Search for the Meaning of Wife Paperback – June 2, 2009

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Janna Cawrse Esarey (Author)
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Janna Cawrse Esarey (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 129 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (June 2, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416589082
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416589082
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (129 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #713,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsSo much more than a sailing story!
By Sarah R. Callender on May 27, 2009
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The Motion of the Ocean is a smart, funny, fascinating read for all of us land-lubbers who are too scared to sail the south pacific with our newly-wed spouse. Janna Cawrse Esarey is as honest, witty, and appealing as writers come. She never shies away from revealing the ups and downs of her own personal shortcomings, her ruminations about love and marriage, the challenges of travel, or the search for The One. This book is SUCH a pleasure to read, equally fun to discuss with book groups, girl friends, and husbands. Made me laugh out loud over and over, but there's nothing fluffy about this poignant, thought-provoking memoir. Much more than just a summer read . . . one to buy for your girlfriends!
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Great Summer Read
By A. Cohen on June 2, 2009
Format: Paperback
The Motion of the Ocean is an entertaining, thought-provoking memoir of a woman's voyage, both across the Pacific Ocean and through the inevitable ebbs and flows of marriage. Throughout the book, the author tackles some of the "big questions" that many couples face when trying to figure out how to be an `us.' From encounters with local islanders to frighteningly vivid descriptions of thunderstorms out at sea, to poignant reflections on an island's cross-dressing subculture, The Motion of the Ocean is at times serious, at times humorous, and always witty and thoughtful. If you like books that make you laugh, make you think, inspire you to see your relationships in new ways, and open windows into worlds you might never have a chance to see, then you'll love The Motion of the Ocean.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn amazing read
By C. Muckle on June 18, 2009
Format: Paperback
Once I started reading this book, I was not able to put it down. As fiction it would still be great but the fact that it's a true story (a true story!!!) makes it all the more wonderful. Janna Cawrse Esarey is a wonderful writer who makes me think, laugh, and want to have a glass of wine with her. Her comments on relationships definitely hit home for someone at a similar age and place in life, but what I most loved was her ability to tie all of their adventures together and interrelate the stories. This goes on my Christmas shopping list for all of my girlfriends!
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4.0 out of 5 starsA Vacation in a Book!
By LegalBeagle on August 4, 2009
Format: Paperback
Hopping off the hamster wheel daily grind to sail away to Margaritaville is a common dream. For most this nautical desire never goes beyond the fleeting thought stage. For Graeme and Janna Cawrse Esarey it was reality for two and half years. Stuck in a relational and career rut, Graeme and Janna decide to embark on a B-HAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): to sail away to the South Pacific.

The Motion of the Ocean is more than just a travel-adventure drama, however, rather it is a real life love story set on the Pacific Ocean. And just like the unpredictable course of the ocean waves, so too are the currents of couplehood. Esarey's writing is at turns confessional and deeply moving. She admits that "sometimes the space between people feels totally innavigable . . . . Right now I'm having a hard time just navigating the islands of me and Graeme - the person I love, the person I thought I knew best in the world." Later, she discovers that "even though the honeymoon ends, so too, do the storms. We just have to stick around long enough."

In other parts, the memoir reads more like a comedy. When describing their Labrador retriever Scout's refusal to be "sailbroken" Esarey channels Dr. Seuss: "She will not pee on a mat. She will not pee on a hat. She will not pee on a boat. She will not pee on a coat. She does not like our green mat plan. She does not like it, Janna and Graeme."

After the trip's termination, Esarey reflects upon the accomplishment of many personal goals: escaping her workaholic lifestyle; fulfilling her youthful dream of sailing to the Southern Cross; and finding her personal purpose (becoming a writer). While Esarey takes pride in these achievements, she professes that, "It's not so important what Graeme and I did . . . its more important how we did it . . .Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsI enjoyed this true life adventure and the honesty and sincerity ...
By KWise on December 1, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Although I am a boater and could relate to many of the situations in this book....the life lessons can be appreciated by all. I enjoyed this true life adventure and the honesty and sincerity of the author. The humor was priceless and the portrait so vividly told of the multitude of cultures experienced as this young couple sailed from Seattle through the South Pacific and into Hong Kong. What a delightful story. Enjoy!!
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5.0 out of 5 starsFunniest book I've read in a long time
By Megan on August 24, 2009
Format: Paperback
The only warning for this book is do not attempt to drink hot liquids while reading. It burns too much when it comes out your nose because you are laughing so hard. This book requires no expertise in sailing, no current or former marriage, significant others or partners. If you interact with other human beings, you will recognize yourself in this story and empathize with the situations. And laugh your [...] off. GREAT first book.
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4.0 out of 5 starsGreat journey!
By Green Vista Pets on July 21, 2009
Format: Paperback
The plot summary of this memoir does justice to the gist of this lovely book, but not to the author's "voice."

The narrative is smart, reflective, honest, and very funny. She obviously loves words and this is so apparent in how she chooses just the right one and then plays with it in a thoroughly accessible, yet original way. Before embarking on the seven seas, Janna was an English teacher yet struggled with the all-consuming nature of this profession: "I thought I could change the world one student at a time. And while the efficacy and advisability of this scheme is highly debatable, I passionately loved my job. I just didn't love the person I'd become through my job: a harried, perfectionist, martyring workaholic." This statement alone will resonate with teachers everywhere.

My perfect formula for a perfectly satisfying memoir is as follows: the writer must likeable (or, if not, then incredibly interesting and/or witty), the writing must be strong, and I need to gain insight into not only the author, but myself as well. The Motion of the Ocean satisfied all three of these guidelines beautifully. Although I would NEVER sail around the world -- or want to -- and I'm not terribly reflective, really. However, it is truly fascinating to read about what it would be like to live on a sailboat for two years. And from the very beginning I was pulling for Janna and Graeme -- as sailors, as friends, as spouses, as individuals.

Spending 300 pages with this couple is truly a joy as well as a journey, an escape, a vacation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsHer advice or way of dealing with husband/wife problems were good and...

Made me laugh many times. Relationship situations mimic many real life examples. Her advice or way of dealing with husband/wife problems were good and could be applied to many... Read more

Published 9 days ago by BB2
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Enjoyable read. Similarities to my life and living on a boat.

Published 4 months ago by Sheryl Alfson-Kerkof
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Enjoyable read.

Published 5 months ago by Jeff Klohk
3.0 out of 5 starsFun read

Informative with regards to sailing. Humorous, easy read.

Published 6 months ago by Dixie McAlister
3.0 out of 5 starsExpected More Insight

I was in the mood to immerse myself in the unusual places they sailed and instead got bogged down with Janna and Graeme's relationship issues. Read more

Published 11 months ago by AquaJock
4.0 out of 5 starsgood start, soft towards the end. liked it overall

Liked the sailing story but it dragged on about their relationship. Good read for a reluctant woman who loves a man with a boat dream.

Published 20 months ago by Normal cup guy
5.0 out of 5 starsRiding the Waves of Life

I bought this book for my nautical-loving husband. My husband enjoys reading but he is very picky about what he reads. Read more

Published 21 months ago by sunarino
4.0 out of 5 starsAn adventure you won't forget

Newly-wed couple sets out on an adventure of a life-time to cross the Pacific Ocean in a small sailboat. Janna kept a journal and wrote about the adventure when she got home. Read more

Published on February 14, 2014 by Veronica P. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 starsWhiney, but good story.

Got a little cheesy and annoying at times, the narrator can be a little whiney, but it's a good story and entertaining for one who enjoys boats/knows how to sail.

Published on October 30, 2013 by CP
4.0 out of 5 starsGreat husband and wife novel, or is it wife and husband???

My wife and I read this book together and while she is still not finished it has inspired many fun conversation's between us which most likely would not have happened were it not... Read more

Published on October 11, 2013 by RVBASECAMP

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