Overall, what did you think of The Wager? (no spoilers, please!)
I really enjoyed it. I expected it to be longer than it was and thought the ending was a little fast, but it was amazing to learn what the sailors had to do to survive, only to face trial once they got home.
I learned a lot - about the conditions in those days, about the mission of the British navy and about the Kawesqar people who seemed amazing in their ability to survive and thrive - and in their generosity despite past ill treatment.
It was a terrific adventure book. Also, I enjoy reading about that era of British history. The book was exciting, well written, and well researched.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a compelling story of survival.
I have to admit this is my favorite type of non-fiction. I enjoy history, particularly when it’s not only well-researched but also free of the author’s opinion on events. One of my pet peeves is when an author makes up conversations they imagine could have happened, and Grann avoids doing that, which I greatly appreciate. It was also exciting.
I thought it was an okay read. I appreciate the amount of research but the overall flow of the story didn’t capture my interest. It is an interesting story but the way it was told was a bit boring to me and focused on nuance details like the design of the ship that felt belabored to me. Clearly I’m in the minority and happy so many others enjoyed this book! Just not a love for me.
Very intense. I wonder what motivates peope to keep fighting through such suffering
I was surprised by the easy read. I thought there was just the right amount of detail about shipbuilding, scurvy, and history and personalities to make the story flow quickly. If I didn’t know that it was factual, I would think that it was a fictional story.
A great read, although I thought the ending could have had more detail. It seemed more rushed than the earlier chapters.
This was not something I would typically read, but I’m glad I did.
I enjoyed this read due to the information I learned. The author did a great job describing people and places. I could almost feel myself on those ships in turbulent waters holding my breath.
I had a difficult time getting into it at first. It seemed to me the first few chapters were spent introducing every single person who had a part of this event and I found this a bit tedious, with all the explanations of the men’s personal histories, their family backgrounds and their jobs on ship. I should have made a list. But it definitely picked up and I enjoyed the telling of the Wager’s story. I was very surprised by how the mutiny was not even addressed at the trial.
This ended up not being my cup of tea. I picked it up twice because I really wanted to give it a chance based on the reviews, but I just couldn’t wade through it any more.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Wager and am pleased to be part of this ongoing discussion.
The author captured my attention from page one with both the descriptions of the crew, officers, as well as the complexity of life on a ship….as the challenges of the voyage became clearer, I was drawn into the personal interplay between crew and officers….
Just when I thought things were at their lowest point, something even worse was coming to the fore….