Epic and immersive detail with queer found family and nods to real history
Other than 50 straight pages near the end of boasting, betrayal, and talking in circles, this book was thoroughly enjoyable. Between the lush descriptions, the historical anecdotes, the sapphic relationship, the normalization of queer characters and characters from all different backgrounds coming together for a common goal... There's something to be said for really committing to the diversity of a crew at sea, by giving weight to their individual backgrounds (cultural, political, socioeconomic, etc) from the way they address problems to the language that they default to - as well as addressing things like queerness, which were criminalized on land but allowed at sea.
And then to read the author's note at the end, to unravel the author's own connection to stories like this: of desperation, of the fine line between greed and survival, of the power of connection. Well, that just added even more depth to the story.
I would 100% read another novel by CB Lee.
And then to read the author's note at the end, to unravel the author's own connection to stories like this: of desperation, of the fine line between greed and survival, of the power of connection. Well, that just added even more depth to the story.
I would 100% read another novel by CB Lee.