Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Feb 2011
384 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Information
A gripping novel of love and adventure on the high seas that introduces an unforgettable young heroine.
Growing up on the Bay of Fundy in the 1860s, Azuba Galloway is determined to escape the confines of her town and live at sea. When she captures the heart of Captain Nathaniel Bradstock, she is sure her dreams are about to be realized, only to have pregnancy intervene. But when Azuba becomes embroiled in a scandal, Nathaniel must bring his young family abroad to save his reputation. Azuba gets her wish, but at what price?
Alone in a male world, and juggling the splendor of foreign ports with the terror of the open seas, Azuba must fight to keep her family together. Blending the high-tension drama of missed chances and unexpected twists of the sort that made A Reliable Wife a bestseller with the pluck and spirit of a heroine in the vein of Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Sea Captain's Wife will captivate readers and critics alike.
"Powning deftly details life at sea, but the incidents she unfolds are unerringly bleak, making the reader feel adrift in the doldrums with no way out, and not until the end does happiness swell in Azuba's direction." - Publishers Weekly
"An exciting, adventurous story about a woman’s hidden strength." - Booklist
"This is a compelling historical novel with a strong female protagonist and an exciting plot. Sure to appeal to fans of women's historical fiction." - Library Journal
"Powning is an extraordinary writer. ... Her people are as real as personal friends, neighbours or compelling strangers. ... The writing rings true to its period without ever sounding like a device. ... The book is clearly thoroughly researched, yet never reads as written research but as lives fully and panoramically lived." - The Globe and Mail
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