A Pearl in the Storm: Summary and book reviews of A Pearl in the Storm by Tori Murden McClure, plus links to an excerpt from A Pearl in the Storm and a biography of Tori Murden McClure.
A Pearl in the Storm How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean
by Tori Murden McClure
Hardcover: Apr 2009,
304 pages.
Paperback: Apr 2010,
304 pages.
"In the end," writes Tori McClure, "I know I rowed across the Atlantic to find my heart, but in the beginning, I wasn't aware that it was missing."
During June 1998, Tori McClure set out to row across the Atlantic Ocean by herself in a twenty-three-foot plywood boat with no motor or sail. Within days she lost all communication with shore, but nevertheless she decided to keep going. Not only did she lose the sound of a friendly voice, she lost updates on the location of the Gulf Stream and on the weather. Unfortunately for Tori, 1998 is still on record as the worst hurricane season in the North Atlantic. In deep solitude and perilous conditions, she was nonetheless determined to prove what one person with a mission can do. When she was finally brought to her knees by a series of violent storms that nearly killed her, she had to signal for help and go home in what felt like complete disgrace.
Back in Kentucky, however, Tori's life began to change in unexpected ways. She fell in love. At the age of thirty-five, she embarked on a serious relationship for the first time, making her feel even more vulnerable than sitting alone in a tiny boat in the middle of the Atlantic. She went to work for Muhammad Ali, who told her that she did not want to be known as the woman who "almost" rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. And she knew that he was right.
In this thrilling story of high adventure and romantic quest, Tori McClure discovers through her favorite way—the hard way—that the most important thing in life is not to prove you are superhuman but to fully to embrace your own humanity. With a wry sense of humor and a strong voice, she gives us a true memoir of an explorer who maps her world with rare emotional honesty.
BOOK REVIEWS
BookBrowse
While McClure-the-writer claims that her first failure and ultimately successful trans-Atlantic row brought her peace, understanding and true love, it is McClure-the-adventurer driven to row 14 hour days on violent seas day after day after day in a vast solitude, fighting storm after storm -- strong, resourceful, alone, competent and utterly complete within herself -- who exhilarates and inspires. (Reviewed by Jo Perry). Full Review (952 words).
Media Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
McClure offers her reflections in contemplative, honest language, revealing her meaningful road to self-discovery. An inspirational story of losing pride, embracing humanity and accepting love.
Booklist - Katherine Boyle
Two storm-wracked trips across the Atlantic Ocean become voyages of self-discovery for McClure, as she explains in this epic tale of adversity and triumph.
The Louisville Courier-Journal - Linda Elisabeth Beattie A Pearl in the Storm is at once the tale of a familiar dilemma and an account of extraordinary courage. But what McClure's profound and powerfully written romance truly proves is that the measure of her heart eclipses the extent of her valor.
Candice Bergen
Tori Murden McClure is one of the most remarkable women I have ever met; her journey across the ocean is equal only to her journey of the heart. This is a story of courage, adventure, and personal discovery that will appeal to women--and men of all ages.
Sena Jeter Naslund, author of Ahab's Wife
Unlike Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, Tori Murden McClure's true story of a woman and the sea and a boat named American Pearl is one of victory. But her triumph is not merely over the elements. Tori finds the courage to cross the inner seas and discover not monsters but a land of promise and an expanded opportunity to love. If you want to be inspired, read this book. You won't stop till you've finished.
Recent Reader Reviews
Rated of 5
by CarolK An Inspiring Adventure This is my kind of book. It's not only that I live vicariously through adventures such as this but that I also get a bang out of the determination, strength, and discipline exhibited by women such as Tori Murden McClure. Her goal; to be the first... Read More
Rated of 5
by Carole Scureman A Pearl in the Storm - you won't be able to put it down! I chose this book for our book club because I had read it when it first was published and I really liked it. Reading it the second time was even more interesting. I found it fascinating to read about what happened to Tori Murden McClure when she... Read More
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(952 words).
The Louisville Courier-Journal - Linda Elisabeth Beattie
Candice Bergen
of 5
by CarolK
of 5
by Carole Scureman
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