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Ocean Boulevard: an epic and exhilarating journey all the way.......from boy to man
David Baboulene runs away to the sea in a cloud of romantic dust for the first of his shipboard adventures. A journey which takes him across the world and back to a triumphant homecoming in Liverpool. But despite the laughs, the real journey in this strangely moving tale takes him all the way... from a boy to a man.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2006
38 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 25, 2008
Had me in fits of giggles repeatedly. 'Windy' Baboulene runs away to sea to join the merchant navy after blowing up the science lab at school...
April 1, 2011
Possibly the funniest book I have ever or will ever read (or it's sequel Jumping Ships, I can't decide).
May 3, 2011
Laughed so much my wife thinks there's something wrong with me. Serious.
Why is this great? Cos it brings a human face to the stereotypical view of a sailor's life that you will have. A human, sensitive young man prone to peer pressure and falling for practical jokes on his first trip away working on ships learns and grows up and takes you from a boy to a man with him.
Totally unusual use of english in dealing with sexual and blokish sailors and situations. He handles it all with sensitivity and clever language. Come to think of it, I don't think there's a single swear word.
Negatives? Not many. I guess it's not all true - some exaggeration and licence taken, but so what. It shows you the real sailor's world and the licence is used to make it such a great read. No doubt it's basically true though.
There can't be many people who have had a life experience like this journey AND can really write AND are sensitive AND dead funny. This is that combination and I recommend it to you.
Derren
Why is this great? Cos it brings a human face to the stereotypical view of a sailor's life that you will have. A human, sensitive young man prone to peer pressure and falling for practical jokes on his first trip away working on ships learns and grows up and takes you from a boy to a man with him.
Totally unusual use of english in dealing with sexual and blokish sailors and situations. He handles it all with sensitivity and clever language. Come to think of it, I don't think there's a single swear word.
Negatives? Not many. I guess it's not all true - some exaggeration and licence taken, but so what. It shows you the real sailor's world and the licence is used to make it such a great read. No doubt it's basically true though.
There can't be many people who have had a life experience like this journey AND can really write AND are sensitive AND dead funny. This is that combination and I recommend it to you.
Derren
September 1, 2014
ales of a scamp/screw-up's cadet experience in the Brit Merchant Navy. Mostly juvenile, but not a bad writer:
"It's strange how hard it is to talk to someone who is with other people, isn't it? The Americans are best at it. Anywhere you meet strangers in the US -- on a train, at a bus stop, in a queue -- they will talk to you. If the lift is going more than three floors, the chances are that you'll make a friend for life. In England, if a stranger talks to you at a bus stop, you begin to ships uncomfortably and look for a policeman. In the US, it's the person who won't talk who arouses suspicion."
"It's strange how hard it is to talk to someone who is with other people, isn't it? The Americans are best at it. Anywhere you meet strangers in the US -- on a train, at a bus stop, in a queue -- they will talk to you. If the lift is going more than three floors, the chances are that you'll make a friend for life. In England, if a stranger talks to you at a bus stop, you begin to ships uncomfortably and look for a policeman. In the US, it's the person who won't talk who arouses suspicion."
November 24, 2017
Do Not read this!....unless you were there its not even remotely funny!
A thinly disguised (so Andrew Wier & Co. Don't sue) Bank Line (ghost written but definitely genuine)
A thinly disguised (so Andrew Wier & Co. Don't sue) Bank Line (ghost written but definitely genuine)
June 1, 2018
A Zany Ride
Don't expect too much in the way of deep education. Just sit back and enjoy the trip. Great entertainment value.
Don't expect too much in the way of deep education. Just sit back and enjoy the trip. Great entertainment value.
October 27, 2023
Great fun and laugh out loud moments throughout
February 21, 2017
Do you know the difference between a Fairy Tale and a Sea Story? A Fairy Tale starts out, "Once Upon a Time" and a Sea Story starts out, "Now this is no bullshit!".
So what we have here is a book of "sea stories". Some too far-fetched to be believed at all and some are definitely based on real world experiences. All with maximum imbellishments. That, in and of itself, is not a problem because there's nothing wrong with a good yarn. And the stories are pretty good when taken one at a time, but it's not a good idea to read them one after another. After all, sea stories might be different but in effect they are all the same. This would be a good weekly column or blog rather than a single collection. This book is best taken in small doses, so read one story, put it down for a few days and then go back to it.
So what we have here is a book of "sea stories". Some too far-fetched to be believed at all and some are definitely based on real world experiences. All with maximum imbellishments. That, in and of itself, is not a problem because there's nothing wrong with a good yarn. And the stories are pretty good when taken one at a time, but it's not a good idea to read them one after another. After all, sea stories might be different but in effect they are all the same. This would be a good weekly column or blog rather than a single collection. This book is best taken in small doses, so read one story, put it down for a few days and then go back to it.
January 2, 2017
Funny, Sharply Observed, Engaging and Well-Written
You know, I'm fine with wandering around the Hindu Kush with Eric Newby, or trekking the Sahara or running the Amazon. But at some point you've had enough sherpas, camels and man-eating fish. That's where this rollicking High Seas adventure tale from David Baboulene comes in. Let's join the merchant marine and see the world in the company of a vivid, funny, stylish and good humored travel adventurer.
Lots of people can tell a good story, especially over a few beers in a snug spot. But, to write a lively and engaging tale, to capture the humor and energy of an episode on the written page - that is a rare talent.
On top of all that, because this isn't just a collection of adventures and tall tales, you actually get a feel for what day to day life in the merchant marine is like. Romantic and tedious, this accounting is interesting stuff for the armchair traveler.
Bottom line - our author had real adventures, he understood what he was seeing and doing, he can recast his observations as great stories, and he has a puckish and witty sense of humor. How's that for a fine combination?
(Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
You know, I'm fine with wandering around the Hindu Kush with Eric Newby, or trekking the Sahara or running the Amazon. But at some point you've had enough sherpas, camels and man-eating fish. That's where this rollicking High Seas adventure tale from David Baboulene comes in. Let's join the merchant marine and see the world in the company of a vivid, funny, stylish and good humored travel adventurer.
Lots of people can tell a good story, especially over a few beers in a snug spot. But, to write a lively and engaging tale, to capture the humor and energy of an episode on the written page - that is a rare talent.
On top of all that, because this isn't just a collection of adventures and tall tales, you actually get a feel for what day to day life in the merchant marine is like. Romantic and tedious, this accounting is interesting stuff for the armchair traveler.
Bottom line - our author had real adventures, he understood what he was seeing and doing, he can recast his observations as great stories, and he has a puckish and witty sense of humor. How's that for a fine combination?
(Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
April 26, 2013
A great book of when boys/men were allowed to be just that. This is what I grew up with and it was great. Now unfortunately with the coming political correctness and sexual equality what this book is about has all but disappeared.
If you want a good read with a few belly laughs thrown in, this is the book.
If you want a good read with a few belly laughs thrown in, this is the book.
May 29, 2013
Following the misadventures of a teenager who runs away to join the merchant navy in the 1970s, Ocean Boulevard has a crew of colourful characters, a girl in every port and string of character-building incidents.
It's a fun read and will confirm most of your darkest suspicions about young men in general and sailors in particular.
It's a fun read and will confirm most of your darkest suspicions about young men in general and sailors in particular.
January 6, 2016
I bought this on my Kindle and loved it. It is an adventure story about a young man who takes a job on a ship and travels all over the world. It was very fascinating. It was easy to read and I really liked the adventure of it all. Fascinating stories in this book!
December 9, 2012
I loved this book. Similar era to my own time at sea. The author was a deck officer where I was a Radio Officer but the memories came flooding back.
April 3, 2013
Neither the wildest or funniest of this genre of book that I have read, but an enjoyable light read non the less.
April 15, 2013
One of the most entertaining books I've read in a long time! Funny, educated, interesting, definitely an epitome of storytelling!!! Can't wait to read his next book.
September 26, 2013
After being a apprentice myself I can relate to this. Probably the funniest book I've ever read!
May 19, 2016
Fairly amusing.
October 20, 2016
One of the most unfunny, long-winded and incompetently written books I have ever read. Luckily I didn't pay for it. Fit only for re-cycling!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews