Pacific Odyssey

by Gwenda Cornell

Gwenda Cornell - wife of long-distance cruising guru Jimmy - describes their fascinating travels by yacht in the South Pacific: the remote and beautiful islands, and the quality of life, history and culture of the peoples who live there.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1985

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only part of the Pacific Ocean besides the California coast I have visited is Hawaii, so I love glimpsing the hidden places via Gwenda Cornell's travels. She decides to set off on a voyage to the isolated parts of the Pacific with her husband and kids, and this travelogue is a must read for anyone who is interested in Pacific Islands and cultures. PS: the second chapter of her memoir is about her visit to Pitcairn Island in the late seventies, so this was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. I also found myself intrigued by the chapters on Guadacanal, and the irony of the man who moved there in the late 30's to escape conflict, and it ended up being one of the worst battle fronts in the Pacific. Fortunately this region has returned to peace and stability once more. A must read for those of us who lack the funds to indulge in wanderlust.

[Franziska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwenda Cornell is the wife of legendary (in the sailing world) Jimmy Cornell. Together with their two children Ivan and Doina they spent many years sailing around the world.
This book focuses mainly on their time in the Pacific and is entirely told from Gwenda’s perspective.
The Cornell family has an outstanding talent to get in contact with people from different backgrounds. They are willing to see every new island and its population with open eyes. Also, they try to understand the hardships of people in remote areas and are willing to trade everything from shorts to bags of rice.
This trip took place in the 1980s. Some islands may not exist anymore due to climate change. Other islands may have better connections to the outside world. Nevertheless Gwenda’s observations are very valuable, considering the fact that many of us will never travel to those remote places.
Recommended to everyone who is planning on sailing around the world and wants to know what it’s like and also to everyone who wants to discover the Pacific from the warmth of their couch.
You will discover that there may be huge difference between societies but that there is always a lot that we all have in common.

[Megan Lade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably wouldn’t have appreciated this book as much if we hadn’t moved to Hawaii 2 years ago.

Following Gwenda’s family throughout the Pacific is dreamy and inspiring. Learning how to live a slower life can be a struggle but worthwhile.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topic was interesting. However, I felt like I was reading Gwenda's personal journal and many of the details didn't feel relevant to me as a reader. Also, for cultures that are so full of song and dance and visual aspects, I think it's hard to convey that through a book.