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Once Upon A Gypsy Moon: A Memoir
Michael C. Hurley, a noted trial attorney who once worked as a professional sailor, returns to the sea to give us a thought-provoking memoir of a man’s yearning for redemption and renewal. Unfolding within the narrative of a long-distance ocean voyage, the story begins as Hurley leaves Annapolis, Maryland, aboard an aging, 32-foot sloop, the Gypsy Moon. After the end of his 25-year marriage, Hurley is short of money, out of a job, and seeking to salvage a life that has foundered. Woven through the compelling prose are gems of insight on such diverse topics as faith and disbelief, life and death, love, marriage and the difference between dreams and delusions. As the voyage brightens in surprising and sometimes humorous ways, the reader is guided to geographic and spiritual harbors that seemed unattainable at the start.
Once Upon A Gypsy Moon tells a salty, wave-swept tale in the time-honored tradition, but it also offers a message of hope that will resonate with anyone who has had to pick up the pieces after failure and loss.
Once Upon A Gypsy Moon tells a salty, wave-swept tale in the time-honored tradition, but it also offers a message of hope that will resonate with anyone who has had to pick up the pieces after failure and loss.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Michael Hurley
7 books401 followersMichael Hurley is an American novelist, memoirist, and essayist living in London. He keeps up with readers at his website, www.mchurley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 16, 2012
A very heartfelt, intimate, and personal story about the author's journey not only through the open ocean, but also through life. Hurley has written his memoir in such a way that the ocean and life are interwoven and interchangeable aspects of the book. He is able to describe the "ups and downs" that we go through on our journeys, and bring in a spiritual side to the book that makes it more encouraging, not overbearing. Not being a sailor myself, I did have to Google a couple of the terms in the book, but I think that had I not looked them up, I still would have been able to enjoy it. The memoir is told in a way that the terms add to the story, but don't consume the book, so that novices (such as myself) can still read it and not feel left in the dark. I really felt that Hurley was able to describe his life and journey in such a way that you feel like you know exactly what he was going through in each letter/chapter, and are able to relate to him. A wonderful story about loss, courage, determination, contentment, giving it all, and learning to let go. Thanks for the opportunity to read this through the Goodreads "First Reads" book giveaways before it hit the shelves!
May 7, 2015
I received Once Upon A Gypsy Moon by Michael Hurley, from the publisher for my honest review.
When I was contacted to review this book at first I was not just a little, but very hesitant about reading a memoir about a mans journey in life on the sea. But me being willing to give anything at least one shot, I agreed to review it and here I am writing a heartfelt review.
In the memoir we learn about the life of the author Michael Hurley. This was interesting because it was not just him whining about getting a divorce and being alone, but it was him telling us his story in a nice way. I liked that he admitted in the book that the reason for his divorce was because he cheated, he did not put any of the blame on his wife at all which is a step in the right direction, because that what I was expecting a whole spiel about why his wife is to blame but that’s not what happened and I enjoyed that.
The writing in this book was so great. I absolutely loved the descriptions of the sea like this one, “and the ocean was what any writer would feel compelled to describe as eerily calm--eerie like a murderer’s smile.” this one line had the ability to give me the chills unlike any horror book I have read (Hurley 30). Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the author’s mention of older writers like Thoreau, Mark Twain, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. All writers who I have studied and have works that I have loved!
Some of the chapters in the book were a bit boring but that’s to be expected especially in a book about a man’s journey to sea. It did not take the rating down much no more than a star. I liked the satisfaction of learning that Hurley does fall in love again after what seemed like an endless search it was a great edition to the book.
Overall it gets 4 out of 4 stars because the things I liked greatly overwhelmed the one thing I did not like. Even if you do not read memoirs I would recommend this because it happened to be a great story.
When I was contacted to review this book at first I was not just a little, but very hesitant about reading a memoir about a mans journey in life on the sea. But me being willing to give anything at least one shot, I agreed to review it and here I am writing a heartfelt review.
In the memoir we learn about the life of the author Michael Hurley. This was interesting because it was not just him whining about getting a divorce and being alone, but it was him telling us his story in a nice way. I liked that he admitted in the book that the reason for his divorce was because he cheated, he did not put any of the blame on his wife at all which is a step in the right direction, because that what I was expecting a whole spiel about why his wife is to blame but that’s not what happened and I enjoyed that.
The writing in this book was so great. I absolutely loved the descriptions of the sea like this one, “and the ocean was what any writer would feel compelled to describe as eerily calm--eerie like a murderer’s smile.” this one line had the ability to give me the chills unlike any horror book I have read (Hurley 30). Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the author’s mention of older writers like Thoreau, Mark Twain, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. All writers who I have studied and have works that I have loved!
Some of the chapters in the book were a bit boring but that’s to be expected especially in a book about a man’s journey to sea. It did not take the rating down much no more than a star. I liked the satisfaction of learning that Hurley does fall in love again after what seemed like an endless search it was a great edition to the book.
Overall it gets 4 out of 4 stars because the things I liked greatly overwhelmed the one thing I did not like. Even if you do not read memoirs I would recommend this because it happened to be a great story.
February 21, 2020
"Even the most sober, sane, and cautious life is temporary. What makes for a life well lived is not the length of our days but how we spend them. Never sail an ocean and you will never die at sea, but die you surely will."
"Sane or not, each man has only his own heart to guide him - not those of his wiser friends. If he has a deep yearning to go, he is not likely to find any greater peace in the resistance of that desire. The only thing left is for him to sail and to keep sailing until he either comes to his sense, comes all the way around to the place where he began, or sinks somewhere in between."
"Sane or not, each man has only his own heart to guide him - not those of his wiser friends. If he has a deep yearning to go, he is not likely to find any greater peace in the resistance of that desire. The only thing left is for him to sail and to keep sailing until he either comes to his sense, comes all the way around to the place where he began, or sinks somewhere in between."
August 6, 2016
Michael Hurley was still reeling from the end of his twenty-five year marriage after a life-changing infidelity when he found himself out of a job and with little wherewithal, left only to look back on his life and wonder how to move forward. A lifelong sailor, Hurley found his call for perspective answered by the sea, and he committed himself to undertaking an impressive journey from Maryland to Nassau on his 32-foot sailboat, the Gypsy Moon. With only the open water of the Atlantic for company, Hurley set off on his expedition in the hope of uncovering answers to his many questions through self-reflection amid the natural grace – and hardship – of life on the open seas. Initially, he wrote letters to his friends that chronicled his innermost thoughts and experiences during his trip, but eventually those letters transformed into Once Upon a Gypsy Moon, a memoir that details two years spent between the Gypsy Moon‘s determined journey and the life on land that churned along because of it. On his adventure Hurley would connect to himself, grow ever more deeply in-tuned with his faith, and meet the love of his life. He would discover, as well, that life is as unpredictable, and sometimes as unsettling, as the ocean’s tempestuous waters.
Once Upon a Gypsy Moon drew several different and impassioned reactions from me. At its height, the memoir captivated me in deep artistic appreciation; Hurley’s elegant, fluid prose was a source of pure delight all its own, and his depictions of life aboard the Gypsy Moon had me wishing for a dockside view, at the very least, all the better to immerse myself in the memoir’s tangible salty air. Amid the rocky terrain of the unpredictable ocean landscape – and with technical difficulties and masterful storms to blight his path – Hurley engages the reader with stories from his life, filled with both joy and sorrow. Through the entirety of his craftsmanship, Hurley has created a certain atmosphere that softly envelops his reader. When his narrative set foot on dry land, however, the scenes involving his social excursions felt slightly more distant. As it is in dreams, I felt that I couldn’t quite make out the faces of the people he wrote about; the finite details didn’t hook me there. Where they did, however, was in his documentation of his days spent tending to the Gypsy Moon. Even for one with as limited a nautical vocabulary as I, these scenes were clearly spun of a special sort of magic. Every memoir is, of course, an excursion into the deeper reaches of the author’s own insight, and Hurley delivers his view of the world – predominantly of love, marriage, and the intricacies of his personal faith – through extravagant prose the scope of which reveals that the author is not just a sailor, but also a dreamer and a poet.
Hurley’s insights share their space in the memoir with the Gypsy Moon herself, and she’s a bit of a scene stealer. Many would agree that few things are as commanding as the majesty of a boat on the water, and for a mortal man to offer something more enchanting is a true task. It would take an especially poignant story to entertain the reader as well as the simple, tremendous escapism of imagined life at sea; whether Hurley’s missive accomplishes this will depend greatly, perhaps entirely, on the character of the reader who entertains the pages of his memoir, but he certainly puts his heart and soul into the process. His honesty and courage are admirable, and his opulent, creative use of language delivers the memoir in a beautiful presentation. At times sparkling with charisma and exuding the crisp excitement of maritime adventure, Once Upon a Gypsy Moon offers readers a journey through the ocean of life that will appeal to the hearts of dreamers and romantics, be they on land or at sea.
(Review © Casee Marie, originally published on April 16, 2013 at LiteraryInklings.com. I received a copy of the book for the purpose of review.)
Once Upon a Gypsy Moon drew several different and impassioned reactions from me. At its height, the memoir captivated me in deep artistic appreciation; Hurley’s elegant, fluid prose was a source of pure delight all its own, and his depictions of life aboard the Gypsy Moon had me wishing for a dockside view, at the very least, all the better to immerse myself in the memoir’s tangible salty air. Amid the rocky terrain of the unpredictable ocean landscape – and with technical difficulties and masterful storms to blight his path – Hurley engages the reader with stories from his life, filled with both joy and sorrow. Through the entirety of his craftsmanship, Hurley has created a certain atmosphere that softly envelops his reader. When his narrative set foot on dry land, however, the scenes involving his social excursions felt slightly more distant. As it is in dreams, I felt that I couldn’t quite make out the faces of the people he wrote about; the finite details didn’t hook me there. Where they did, however, was in his documentation of his days spent tending to the Gypsy Moon. Even for one with as limited a nautical vocabulary as I, these scenes were clearly spun of a special sort of magic. Every memoir is, of course, an excursion into the deeper reaches of the author’s own insight, and Hurley delivers his view of the world – predominantly of love, marriage, and the intricacies of his personal faith – through extravagant prose the scope of which reveals that the author is not just a sailor, but also a dreamer and a poet.
Hurley’s insights share their space in the memoir with the Gypsy Moon herself, and she’s a bit of a scene stealer. Many would agree that few things are as commanding as the majesty of a boat on the water, and for a mortal man to offer something more enchanting is a true task. It would take an especially poignant story to entertain the reader as well as the simple, tremendous escapism of imagined life at sea; whether Hurley’s missive accomplishes this will depend greatly, perhaps entirely, on the character of the reader who entertains the pages of his memoir, but he certainly puts his heart and soul into the process. His honesty and courage are admirable, and his opulent, creative use of language delivers the memoir in a beautiful presentation. At times sparkling with charisma and exuding the crisp excitement of maritime adventure, Once Upon a Gypsy Moon offers readers a journey through the ocean of life that will appeal to the hearts of dreamers and romantics, be they on land or at sea.
(Review © Casee Marie, originally published on April 16, 2013 at LiteraryInklings.com. I received a copy of the book for the purpose of review.)
April 29, 2012
A ship's wake tells you where she has been, not where she's going.
Welcome aboard the Gypsy Moon, a 32 foot sloop, aging gracefully and with a lot of life left in her sails. Reeling from the end of his marriage and the loss of his job as a trial attorney, the author, Michael C. Hurley, sets off alone to sail from Annapolis, Maryland to Nassau. This journal of a solitary sea voyage is based on six letters that Michael sent out to friends while on his journey.
Michael's love affair with the water and with sailing began as a child. Growing up, he learned to sail on Magothy River. His older brother would take him out on board boats he had borrowed, rented and, at times, owned. Later on, in his 20's, Michael owned a sloop called Itledoo, a 17-foot sloop. He dreamed of sailing to the South Seas, as many weekend sailors do. In 1986, he had the idea of deferring student loan payments and sailing away with his wife. However, the decision was made to stay ashore, work and raise a family. In the mid-90's he introduced his children to sailing. By fall of 2006, his marriage was over. Within a year after his divorce was finalized, Micheal was also out a job.
Sail along with Michael as he journeys forth on a voyage few of us will ever take. From a storm encountered on his second day into his journey to finally saying an unhappy good bye to the Gypsy Moon when her engine quit and left him afloat 300 miles from the nearest port able to do repairs, the journey is a true story of the sea.
This is not just a story about a one-man ocean voyage. It is also a love affair, a story of new beginnings and inevitable endings and mostly a story of hope.
I won my copy of Once Upon A Gypsy Moon on GoodReads. My review was unsolicited.
Welcome aboard the Gypsy Moon, a 32 foot sloop, aging gracefully and with a lot of life left in her sails. Reeling from the end of his marriage and the loss of his job as a trial attorney, the author, Michael C. Hurley, sets off alone to sail from Annapolis, Maryland to Nassau. This journal of a solitary sea voyage is based on six letters that Michael sent out to friends while on his journey.
Michael's love affair with the water and with sailing began as a child. Growing up, he learned to sail on Magothy River. His older brother would take him out on board boats he had borrowed, rented and, at times, owned. Later on, in his 20's, Michael owned a sloop called Itledoo, a 17-foot sloop. He dreamed of sailing to the South Seas, as many weekend sailors do. In 1986, he had the idea of deferring student loan payments and sailing away with his wife. However, the decision was made to stay ashore, work and raise a family. In the mid-90's he introduced his children to sailing. By fall of 2006, his marriage was over. Within a year after his divorce was finalized, Micheal was also out a job.
Sail along with Michael as he journeys forth on a voyage few of us will ever take. From a storm encountered on his second day into his journey to finally saying an unhappy good bye to the Gypsy Moon when her engine quit and left him afloat 300 miles from the nearest port able to do repairs, the journey is a true story of the sea.
This is not just a story about a one-man ocean voyage. It is also a love affair, a story of new beginnings and inevitable endings and mostly a story of hope.
I won my copy of Once Upon A Gypsy Moon on GoodReads. My review was unsolicited.
September 11, 2012
I won an ARC of Once Upon a Gypsy Moon: A Memoir from a Goodreads giveaway & I am glad I did. I found this book to be very interesting & well-written. It is a story of a man who after his 25 years of marriage ends in divorce & he is out of a job, contemplates what to do with his life. Michael Hurley is a trial attorney & was a professional sailor. His love of the sea & his sailboat, the Gypsy Moon, is the heart of this book. But it is more than that...it is also about finding oneself, true love and being able to pick up pieces of a life that was foundering. If you do not enjoy boats, sailing or stories about the sea, then this is not a story for you. But, you do not have to be an avid sailor or someone who lives to be on the ocean to enjoy this book. I have never been sailing, but have always wished I had the opportunity to experience the open sea on a schooner. So I found reading about Hurley's odyssey on his beloved Gypsy Moon quite interesting.
Woven into his narrative of excitement & perils of sailing alone on the open sea are insights into Hurley's doubts, fears, faith and wanting to redeem himself. There are philosophical musings but Hurley is never self-serving or egocentric. I found him very likable. I also found this a story of hope, even against many odds. It is a feel-good story. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to take a journey vicariously on an aging 32-foot sailboat with a sailor who dearly loves the ocean & his Gypsy Moon.
Woven into his narrative of excitement & perils of sailing alone on the open sea are insights into Hurley's doubts, fears, faith and wanting to redeem himself. There are philosophical musings but Hurley is never self-serving or egocentric. I found him very likable. I also found this a story of hope, even against many odds. It is a feel-good story. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to take a journey vicariously on an aging 32-foot sailboat with a sailor who dearly loves the ocean & his Gypsy Moon.
June 20, 2013
By: Michael Hurley
Published By: Center Street
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating:4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Once Upon a Gypsy Moon" by Michael Hurley was a good biography of this author's journey 'not only the open seas but through life. Mr. Hurley has done a good job as her interweaves the sea (ocean) and its 'interchangeable aspects' of this novel to give the reader a clear understanding of this journey that even enters into his 'spiritual side. Michael Hurley had be a trial attorney and was also a professional sailor. His life will go through many changes such as 'loss, courage, determination, contentment giving it all and learning to let go.' Wow, this was just a wonderful delivered story of Michael Hurley's life. In this memoir, he wrote about his divorced after twenty five years of marriage and being alone and even confessing that he had cheated. I liked how he was man enough to take the blame for what had happened. The descriptions of the sea and his boat 'Gypsy Moon' was simply off the chart ....good. The memoir was of Michael Hurley who had a hard life and was now learning new lessons and that one thing was the goal of sailing around the world. Now as he falls in love and making a new life for himself...we can only say he is doing it. This was one beautiful presentation that will appeal to 'the hearts of dreamers and romantics, be it land or sea.' Would I recommend this novel? YES!
Published By: Center Street
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating:4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Once Upon a Gypsy Moon" by Michael Hurley was a good biography of this author's journey 'not only the open seas but through life. Mr. Hurley has done a good job as her interweaves the sea (ocean) and its 'interchangeable aspects' of this novel to give the reader a clear understanding of this journey that even enters into his 'spiritual side. Michael Hurley had be a trial attorney and was also a professional sailor. His life will go through many changes such as 'loss, courage, determination, contentment giving it all and learning to let go.' Wow, this was just a wonderful delivered story of Michael Hurley's life. In this memoir, he wrote about his divorced after twenty five years of marriage and being alone and even confessing that he had cheated. I liked how he was man enough to take the blame for what had happened. The descriptions of the sea and his boat 'Gypsy Moon' was simply off the chart ....good. The memoir was of Michael Hurley who had a hard life and was now learning new lessons and that one thing was the goal of sailing around the world. Now as he falls in love and making a new life for himself...we can only say he is doing it. This was one beautiful presentation that will appeal to 'the hearts of dreamers and romantics, be it land or sea.' Would I recommend this novel? YES!
May 8, 2012
I won this book from a goodreads giveaway contest.
This was a pretty decent memoir of a man going through a hard point in his life, and learning new lessons by trying to accomplish the goal of sailing around the world. Now, I have to admit, I know absolutely nothing about sailing, I have never even been on a sailboat. However, the way he explains it, certainly makes me more curious about learning. He makes the trip, the old boat, and the depressingly poor ports seem romantic and adventurous. Of course, this book is not only about sailing, but also about him falling in love and making a new life for himself. The relationship part of the book seemed pretty hurried though, although I suppose that's how it really was, since he talks about them being married in just a few months. I might have liked a little bit more detail on how the relationship formed, since it was such a big part of the story. I would recommend this to anyone going through a hard point in their life, especially one they are responsible for, or people who just really love sailing.
This was a pretty decent memoir of a man going through a hard point in his life, and learning new lessons by trying to accomplish the goal of sailing around the world. Now, I have to admit, I know absolutely nothing about sailing, I have never even been on a sailboat. However, the way he explains it, certainly makes me more curious about learning. He makes the trip, the old boat, and the depressingly poor ports seem romantic and adventurous. Of course, this book is not only about sailing, but also about him falling in love and making a new life for himself. The relationship part of the book seemed pretty hurried though, although I suppose that's how it really was, since he talks about them being married in just a few months. I might have liked a little bit more detail on how the relationship formed, since it was such a big part of the story. I would recommend this to anyone going through a hard point in their life, especially one they are responsible for, or people who just really love sailing.
April 13, 2013
I was very excited to read about Mr. Hurley and his story sailing upon the Gypsy Moon. I was expecting to read more about sailing. Which I did get some but not a lot. Just like a memoir I do get to know all about Mr. Hurley and his life. From growing up to why his marriage to his first wife fell apart due to infidelity. Mr. Hurley did recognize that it was his fault and accepted it. This I thought was great that he did and I liked him for it.
However after a while I grew weary of the steady pace and learning all about Mr. Hurley’s life. I really craved to be on the open seas. There were just little glimpse of the open seas as Mr. Hurley sailed them. Again they were interrupted by him stopping at different ports along the way. Glad that Mr. Hurley found love again with his new wife. If you are looking for a book that is about sailing then this is not the book for you. However if you like to read about people getting second chances then you might like this book.
However after a while I grew weary of the steady pace and learning all about Mr. Hurley’s life. I really craved to be on the open seas. There were just little glimpse of the open seas as Mr. Hurley sailed them. Again they were interrupted by him stopping at different ports along the way. Glad that Mr. Hurley found love again with his new wife. If you are looking for a book that is about sailing then this is not the book for you. However if you like to read about people getting second chances then you might like this book.
April 16, 2013
I received this book for free as a First Reads giveaway.
Honestly, I'm not too sure what to say about this book. I did enjoy reading it, albeit in small relaxed portions. As someone who knows very little of boats, I often found myself feeling slightly lost and floating across paragraphs pretending I knew what the author was talking about, but the message of the book was clear and enlightening. I was going to put a quote which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I lost it, so I'll paraphrase... Even the most sane life is temporary.
Honestly, I'm not too sure what to say about this book. I did enjoy reading it, albeit in small relaxed portions. As someone who knows very little of boats, I often found myself feeling slightly lost and floating across paragraphs pretending I knew what the author was talking about, but the message of the book was clear and enlightening. I was going to put a quote which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I lost it, so I'll paraphrase... Even the most sane life is temporary.
May 31, 2012
I won this book on Goodreads. I was glad to find that it was much more than about sailing but also about his spiritual journey as well. I would have liked a bit more about the actual sailing though, than appeared in the book. Overall a good read.
January 16, 2024
Let Michael Hurley take you on a magic carpet ride on The Gypsy Moon. This is a must-read if you have sea dreams or if you are a sailor, but a great read for all! Entertaining, enlightening, and encouraging.
May 21, 2013
My Review from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography, which you can find here: http://bit.ly/116DGr3
--
Once upon a time, I came up with a half-baked notion to sail around the world. It didn't matter to me that my only sailing experience up to that point was on a Hobie Cat on Lake Erie. My self-confidence at that time--I was a Junior at Prescott College in northern Arizona--was infectious enough to make other people at least entertain the possibility that I wasn't completely nuts. I remember precisely where my sailing dreams ended. I'd convinced a young lady to take to the seas with me, and we drove together to visit a thirty-six foot sailboat resting in a field on a small farm in Chino Valley. I spoke the the owner of the boat, we climbed aboard, we talked about the price and the work the boat needed, and the owner left us alone to make our decision. We stood together on the deck and looked out over the bow--I suppose both of us were imagining the Arizona desert to instead be the Pacific Ocean--and it suddenly dawned on me that I was expected to purchase this boat. I realized the enormous and thankless task ahead of me if I actually wanted to make the trip happen, and I abruptly came to my senses. But I digress.
For those who understand the urge to leave the landlocked life behind, there are ample rewards to be found in Michael C. Hurley's new memoir Once Upon a Gypsy Moon, which describes the author's solo adventure to Nassau in the Bahamas and beyond. It's not quite a trip around the world, but Hurley does a wonderful job of describing the perils of solo sailing, the determination that such a trip requires, and just how long such a dream must sometimes be held in order to come to fruition. Hurley was first bitten by the sailing bug at the age of eleven but only set off on his trip more than three decades later, when his life was in a state of mild crisis due to a recent divorce and a series of professional and financial setbacks.
Hurley makes for a personable traveling companion, and Gypsy Moon is well written, but I didn't feel like I was the target audience for this book. Hurley's Christianity plays a large role in the text, as do his generational musings, and online dating. It's makes for a touching and engaging read, but readers who share Hurley's concerns about God, fatherhood, infidelity, career, and finding love in early middle age would more closely connect to the book, especially the large sections which don't take place on board the Gypsy Moon.
All in all, Hurley has crafted an inspiring, heartfelt and honest read about accomplishing a long-held dream, which is especially recommended for readers who appreciate inspirational and confessional writing from a Christian viewpoint.
--
Once upon a time, I came up with a half-baked notion to sail around the world. It didn't matter to me that my only sailing experience up to that point was on a Hobie Cat on Lake Erie. My self-confidence at that time--I was a Junior at Prescott College in northern Arizona--was infectious enough to make other people at least entertain the possibility that I wasn't completely nuts. I remember precisely where my sailing dreams ended. I'd convinced a young lady to take to the seas with me, and we drove together to visit a thirty-six foot sailboat resting in a field on a small farm in Chino Valley. I spoke the the owner of the boat, we climbed aboard, we talked about the price and the work the boat needed, and the owner left us alone to make our decision. We stood together on the deck and looked out over the bow--I suppose both of us were imagining the Arizona desert to instead be the Pacific Ocean--and it suddenly dawned on me that I was expected to purchase this boat. I realized the enormous and thankless task ahead of me if I actually wanted to make the trip happen, and I abruptly came to my senses. But I digress.
For those who understand the urge to leave the landlocked life behind, there are ample rewards to be found in Michael C. Hurley's new memoir Once Upon a Gypsy Moon, which describes the author's solo adventure to Nassau in the Bahamas and beyond. It's not quite a trip around the world, but Hurley does a wonderful job of describing the perils of solo sailing, the determination that such a trip requires, and just how long such a dream must sometimes be held in order to come to fruition. Hurley was first bitten by the sailing bug at the age of eleven but only set off on his trip more than three decades later, when his life was in a state of mild crisis due to a recent divorce and a series of professional and financial setbacks.
Hurley makes for a personable traveling companion, and Gypsy Moon is well written, but I didn't feel like I was the target audience for this book. Hurley's Christianity plays a large role in the text, as do his generational musings, and online dating. It's makes for a touching and engaging read, but readers who share Hurley's concerns about God, fatherhood, infidelity, career, and finding love in early middle age would more closely connect to the book, especially the large sections which don't take place on board the Gypsy Moon.
All in all, Hurley has crafted an inspiring, heartfelt and honest read about accomplishing a long-held dream, which is especially recommended for readers who appreciate inspirational and confessional writing from a Christian viewpoint.
March 3, 2013
Once Upon A Gypsy Moon by Michael C Hurley.
I suspect the target audience for this novel/memoir is really men. It is written by a man and feels like a conversation with a man, for want of a better expression.
The synopsis suggested a story of a man who had gone through a divorce and was struggling with who he was in the wake of the divorce. That much is true. The book is penned by Michael Hurley as his memoir of a time in his life when he was in crisis with himself.
Very well written, but lacked the emotional struggle I had expected to read of. A lot of God references, and if like me you do not believe in God, then these references can become a bit tedious at times. There was also a hell of a lot of technical talk in the book, maybe it should be expected given that the book is about a voyage at sea and invariably technical things tend to go wrong on boats and the like.
The book was not what I expected, although it is very well written. If you are looking for something thought provoking then this is for you. Despite my annoyance with the over-use of references to God, I did find myself pausing to reflect on my own life once or twice.
A couple of reviews I have seen about this book have said there was not enough conflict, I disagree. The author is in conflict with himself, mostly, throughout the book and that really helps to drive the story forward. I thought the voyage itself came to a natural conclusion, albeit a disappointing conclusion for the author. I had half expected the voyage to be abandoned once he met and married his second wife.
I enjoyed reading this book and will give it 3 stars ***
I suspect the target audience for this novel/memoir is really men. It is written by a man and feels like a conversation with a man, for want of a better expression.
The synopsis suggested a story of a man who had gone through a divorce and was struggling with who he was in the wake of the divorce. That much is true. The book is penned by Michael Hurley as his memoir of a time in his life when he was in crisis with himself.
Very well written, but lacked the emotional struggle I had expected to read of. A lot of God references, and if like me you do not believe in God, then these references can become a bit tedious at times. There was also a hell of a lot of technical talk in the book, maybe it should be expected given that the book is about a voyage at sea and invariably technical things tend to go wrong on boats and the like.
The book was not what I expected, although it is very well written. If you are looking for something thought provoking then this is for you. Despite my annoyance with the over-use of references to God, I did find myself pausing to reflect on my own life once or twice.
A couple of reviews I have seen about this book have said there was not enough conflict, I disagree. The author is in conflict with himself, mostly, throughout the book and that really helps to drive the story forward. I thought the voyage itself came to a natural conclusion, albeit a disappointing conclusion for the author. I had half expected the voyage to be abandoned once he met and married his second wife.
I enjoyed reading this book and will give it 3 stars ***
June 23, 2013
This memoir relates the tale of man running off on a dream - a dream I know my own husband had - to sail off and explore. The reason the book appealed to me was because I listened to my husband wax poetic about said sailing off for the first half of our marriage. We had an ocean going sailboat but when he finally realized that my seasickness was not a dream we pursued land based ways of sailing off - and we did. Fortunately for me, my husband did not decide to sleep with another woman as Mr. Hurley did.
Their is a romanticism to the sea that many people find engaging; they love watching her, they love sailing upon her but she is not an easy mistress. Trust me, I know. Mr. Hurley spares nothing in his book as he shares his life before his affair (this is a minimal part of the book as the focus is the sailing adventure) and then his sailing off on his boat, the Gypsy Moon.
The stories are fine - I enjoyed them. My problem was the writing style. Perhaps Mr. Hurley was attempting to be "old style" in presenting his tale of finding his white whale, I don't know, but it was just too florid? Stylized? Overdone? It was just too much!
The memoir could have been told with fewer words and better. I found myself putting it down and reading another book in between; something I rarely do. I just couldn't handle to much of this book at one time.
Their is a romanticism to the sea that many people find engaging; they love watching her, they love sailing upon her but she is not an easy mistress. Trust me, I know. Mr. Hurley spares nothing in his book as he shares his life before his affair (this is a minimal part of the book as the focus is the sailing adventure) and then his sailing off on his boat, the Gypsy Moon.
The stories are fine - I enjoyed them. My problem was the writing style. Perhaps Mr. Hurley was attempting to be "old style" in presenting his tale of finding his white whale, I don't know, but it was just too florid? Stylized? Overdone? It was just too much!
The memoir could have been told with fewer words and better. I found myself putting it down and reading another book in between; something I rarely do. I just couldn't handle to much of this book at one time.
June 7, 2012
Sometimes, the acts of writing and reflecting overtakes the act of being, and reminding the reader of what it is like to live without the frills of overly complex storytelling. Unfortunately, this is where Once Upon a Gypsy Moon falls short. While there is a promising series of reflections upon what truly matters in life, and the journey to find that, pretention smothers it so that it takes a whole lot of digging to find.
I am not a boat person. Therefore, I’m sure much of the nuances relating to sailing went straight over my head. What I do recognize, however, is humanity, and it is in his depiction of the many layers to people that Hurley shines. You can tell when he’s not merely relaying what happened onboard, when it’s something he loves. It makes you fall in love with it, too. I found myself starting to yearn for the freedom Hurley describes, and the miraculous alignment of dreams in the midst of chaos. Despite the detached way he approaches most of his story, those moments make it worth it. While much of Once Upon a Gypsy Moon didn’t do anything for me, those flashes of insight were still breathtaking, and I’m sure a sailor could appreciate this memoir far more than I could.
I am not a boat person. Therefore, I’m sure much of the nuances relating to sailing went straight over my head. What I do recognize, however, is humanity, and it is in his depiction of the many layers to people that Hurley shines. You can tell when he’s not merely relaying what happened onboard, when it’s something he loves. It makes you fall in love with it, too. I found myself starting to yearn for the freedom Hurley describes, and the miraculous alignment of dreams in the midst of chaos. Despite the detached way he approaches most of his story, those moments make it worth it. While much of Once Upon a Gypsy Moon didn’t do anything for me, those flashes of insight were still breathtaking, and I’m sure a sailor could appreciate this memoir far more than I could.
July 5, 2015
Hurley leaves Annapolis Maryland on the Gypsy Moon an aging 32 foot sloop . His 25 year marriage ended in divorce three years ago. Hurley is short of money and he has no job, he is seeking to salvage his life that has floundered. His outward odyssey is carried on in fits and starts as he gets deterred by bad weather and mechanical problems. He first makes port in Beaufort, North Carolina after a three hundred fifty mile solo passage that included a midnight run through the Grave yard an area off the outer banks of North Carolina known to have caused thousands of ship wreaks. The story follows him to various ports of call where he uses keen observations to reconcile touch points of events from his past. Through his personal stories he gets lessons on some diverse topics like Faith, disbelief, Life and Death, and finally Love and Marriage. Very well written. I loved how two Star Crossed Lovers found each other against all odds. A true story of Hope for all of us who have had to pick up the pieces of our life's and start over again.
September 5, 2012
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you!!
Cute book about the author and his life. Sailing on a boat to different places and starting a new chapter in his life. He explains the sailing parts so vivdly that it makes you interested in actually doing it yourself. The way he explains is like the ocean is an analogy for his life. The ups and downs, the sunsets and the sun rise. I do wish there was more information about his wife and how they fell in love. Sometimes you just know the right one when you see them. 2 months is a fast to fall in love and get married, but i love the fact he knew she was the right one. But it was hard to keep my interest.. I don't really read memoirs. But over all i thought the book had good context, wonderful writting, and you could feel his love of the ocean.
Thank you for the book again. It was nice to read a different genre for a change.
Cute book about the author and his life. Sailing on a boat to different places and starting a new chapter in his life. He explains the sailing parts so vivdly that it makes you interested in actually doing it yourself. The way he explains is like the ocean is an analogy for his life. The ups and downs, the sunsets and the sun rise. I do wish there was more information about his wife and how they fell in love. Sometimes you just know the right one when you see them. 2 months is a fast to fall in love and get married, but i love the fact he knew she was the right one. But it was hard to keep my interest.. I don't really read memoirs. But over all i thought the book had good context, wonderful writting, and you could feel his love of the ocean.
Thank you for the book again. It was nice to read a different genre for a change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2013
This book was described as being a memoir by a man who was looking for perspective in his life after his 25 year marriage ended in divorce, pushing him to sail solo. I expected it to be very emotional, but instead there was a major distance between the writer and all that happened to him. I didn't expect him to air his dirty laundry, but I did expect to feel like I was going along on the voyage with him. The language was fairly formal, ex: "The matters of my departure from Beaufort and my ultimate destination were decisions yet to be make. I knew this in my heart to be true, even though I admitted it to no one…" A little stuffy. That, along with the book being more about the technical side of sailing than anything emotional, made it a difficult read. If you're looking for something introspective and inspirational, I'd recommend Swept by Torre DeRoche.
October 24, 2015
I am not one who is generally fond of nonfiction. But because of my sailing background and the fact that I am quite familiar with several of the locations mentioned in the book, I was very interested in this story.
However, I was not interested in the author's affair or his subsequent happily-ever-after second marriage. I'm glad he found happiness... but the boating successes and mishaps were so much more interesting than his love life.
*I do have a funny story to tell that happened during my reading. I was at Wrightsville Beach and the tide was coming in. We'd just moved our things back a ways and got resettled when out of nowhere a huge wave barreled up the beach. I quickly jumped up to grab what I could and noticed that this book had literally been swamped. It took quite a while, but I was able to salvage it by drying it out in the summer sun!
However, I was not interested in the author's affair or his subsequent happily-ever-after second marriage. I'm glad he found happiness... but the boating successes and mishaps were so much more interesting than his love life.
*I do have a funny story to tell that happened during my reading. I was at Wrightsville Beach and the tide was coming in. We'd just moved our things back a ways and got resettled when out of nowhere a huge wave barreled up the beach. I quickly jumped up to grab what I could and noticed that this book had literally been swamped. It took quite a while, but I was able to salvage it by drying it out in the summer sun!
April 15, 2012
I'm not going to lie I didn't make it past the 95th page. It wasn't a terrible read or anything it just wasn't my cup of tea. I can appreciate the journey Michael Hurley went through, having an affair, getting divorce, hitting bottom, and going on a sailing adventure. It is inspirational, make no mistake. There was just too much sailing jargon in and stops and starts in this book for me to get too into it. I haven't given up on it, not yet. I will try and come back to it when I'm in a more open minded mood.
September 8, 2013
Once Upon a Gypsy Moon, a memoir that help a divorced man find true happiness. This "improbable voyage" is incredibly rich and profound. It contained a lot of information about boat and sailing which can interest the right kind of people who dream about traveling the sea (I wasn't that interested in the detail, only the story). I, like the author "explore, dream, discover" want is truly important in life. An okay story just it was to much information going at once that sometimes the story got a bit left behind. 3 starts for the unexpected inspiration of never letting go of your dreams.
October 19, 2012
*I won this book as a firstreads edition*
I tried to read this last night, and as I am not a boat person found all the terminology way over my head. I am going to tackle it again later, but for now his writing style isn't exciting enough to keep me interested. Will try again later, as I do feel for his emotional journey....
I tried to read this last night, and as I am not a boat person found all the terminology way over my head. I am going to tackle it again later, but for now his writing style isn't exciting enough to keep me interested. Will try again later, as I do feel for his emotional journey....
May 6, 2013
First off I have to say this novel is well written. That being said it is a technically accurate account of one mans journey, via ship, to find himself and see the world. I was thinking this was going to be an emotional journey but it lacked the emotional pull of that kind of memoir. If you are looking for an interesting story and enjoy boating I think this would be an excellent novel for you.
May 12, 2013
My soon to be neighbor wrote this book, I was pleasantly surprised to find a strong spiritual overtone in Michael's account. Refreshingly transparent and unpretentious. Even though I know little about sailing, he has an art for defining the mechanics of sailing that makes this landlubber yearn for the silence of sailing.
December 3, 2013
Great book!!!
May 15, 2012
Loved the imagery and the way the author could make me feel his love and joy of sailing. Had a hard time keeping my interest up, but eventually got through it.
Want to read
April 30, 2012I just received this and am looking forward to reading it! a review will be posted closer to it's release date!
July 13, 2012
read this review and others at http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...
April 29, 2013
Didn't really hold my interest. OK story about a man trying to find God and his redemption, but it was slow going for me and not as interesting as I thought it would be.
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