Which particular scene or image did you find particularly memorable and why?

Which particular scene or image did you find particularly memorable and why?

The Nella Dan was a wonderful character that I found memorable in this story. The ship was a warm and comfortable, safe and faithful home to the people aboard, and Isla fell in love with her in the first moment. The Nella Dan had a personality as all ships do. I thought Bo offered that also to Isla's family who had gone through their own trials. Bo was a comforting, steady parental figure to Isla and her brother just as the Nella Dan was to him. His cooking brought joy to all of them, both on land and aboard the ship.

There are two that particularly stand out for me. The first, above the vividly depicted Nella Dan, is when shortly after Bo and Soren who are bantering like close-knit brothers, play their usual rock-paper-scissors game to determine who will go down to retrieve the beef they will cook. In an instant the scene and their lives are altered. I don't want to reveal more as it is a stunningly beautifuly book.

The second is the charming scene where Bo begins to teach the children- for their own benefit- the rudiments of cooking, a skill that has woefully eluded their mother.

I found the scene where Ilsa is collecting flowers on the way home and her brother is ahead of her very vivid. The author captured that feeling that one can have that something is off but you are not sure exactly what is wrong. The incident hit upon how random actions, human and natural, can be and the profound effect they can have on people.

There have been several scenes that were memorable for me. Some of them are:

On p. 15 Isla describes getting to the bottom of Kelly's steps where ghosts would claw at their clothes and try to grab at their hair -- that was pretty spooky -- I could feel drafts of air go through my hair as I read that paragraph.

On pp. 69-72 Bo describes his short trip out to visit the "hill of stones" where he recalls the memory of his father. The author's description of the scenery is wonderful. I felt as though I was along with Bo for the walk. I could feel the crisp air and see the remnants of the little feet dancing and crisscrossing on the ice. I could see the snow petrels and imagine the "one million shades of blue and white."

On p. 119 the description of Bo listening to "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd while wearing Soren's headphones was excellent!! "Comfortably Numb" is probably my favorite song by Pink Floyd. It was a treat to read someone else's interpretation of it.

For me it had to be Bo's memory of painting the boat with his father. It was one time in his life when he was truly doing something with his father, accomplishing something together.
A close second would be thee small family waving at the Nella Dan as it docked.

I found the scene on pages 193/194 where Mr Wilkins tells his class about being there when Tom Balinski died. I think the quote "Outside the clouds had rolled in and it felt like night was coming down fast. That's what the light was like-the night coming" expresses for me the feeling of the story and the angst and sadness within.

I agree with the post by BEAC. She felt that the image of Bo painting the sailboat with his father: orange for him and sky blue for his father was memorable. This father-son bonding time was the only time Bo seemed to spend with his father. Besides referencing this scene , I imagined the joy Isla felt waving to the Nella Dan when it returned for the summer.

These posts about favourite scenes have really made my day. Thank you all !
Favel Parrett

The opening scene on the boat going to Tasmania was very effective. The family is leaving Sydney Harbor (the heads) and going out into rough seas, away from the familiar. The reader is not told why, so we are left to imagine.

I loved all of the galley scenes, Bo at his daily work, the descriptions of strong, delicious coffee, and other things he cooked. It was like my own written Food Network and favorite chef and so delicious sounding. I wanted to stop reading and cook those things I could smell from the pages of my book: Roast beef, roast pork, three whole poached salmons. Red cabbage, and onions and golden potatoes. Beetroot salad, cucumber salad, cakes and pastries--the special rice pudding with berries and almonds. Brandy hot chocolate topped off with cream. Those things made me love Bo. He also reminded me of my sons, all three much better cooks than I'll ever be. A love for delicious, sustaining food and a love of the sea. What a combination! Another character I loved was Mr. Wilkins, the teacher. He sounded like he was so much fun. He made learning a pleasure "where the mysteries of the universe will be unraveled!"

This book has so much depth and vision that I could never choose one scene to describe as memorable. The story was so special to me that I had to read it twice to be sure I really and truly was right that it seemed to sing. The author, by just a few words, showed so much talent. I cried when Nella Dan lost her life. An exceptional book and one I'll keep. Next on my book list will be Past the Shallows.

The book is so rich with descriptive detail that it is difficult to select one scene. For me, Antarctica and Reeves Hill. The sheer beauty of "the hill of stones" and his communication with his "papa" was very moving. I
also liked the scene about the apple. Once the ship was freed from the ice ..."they gave us a bag of apples".

I'm glad you mentioned the Reeves Hill scene, joang. That was a particular favorite of mine as well.

I thought the scene where Bo was teaching Isla to cook was memorable. I felt Isla's mother was too wrapped up in her own life and that she left her children alone for far too long. The fact that Bo was willing to take the time to not only cook with Isla, but really talk to her about life, showed he wanted to be in her life. He thought she was important and lovable. I'm sure Isla will never forget Bo.

Food is a common theme in the book and can be a bonding experience between people. When Bo starts teaching Isla to cook, they share something that makes their relationship stronger.

I enjoyed the scenes and conversations between Bo Isla. They both needed someone so badly.

I was moved by the football game that occurred while the Nella Dan was stuck in the ice. All those crew members easing their grief over Soren's death with fierce activity.
I also liked imagining Bo listening to Pink Floyd with Soren's headphones. I too love Comfortably Numb. I wish every book had a playlist!

I really enjoyed "The Snowball" on page 121 when the Nella came home. It's not a wildly dramatic scene, but the sense of relief is palpable.

I agree with Davndan and really like the scene at the school with Mr. Wilkens. This was very touching and brought in another instance of the "night" theme of the book.

i agree with Oakireader that my favorite scene was when Bo make the special journey to the "hill of stones". very descriptive, very memorable. I am thinking bout my own journey to my hill of stones on my bucket list. thanks for inspiring me Favel Parrett.