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Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea
Five fascinating tales linked by the sea. An aging architect must decide to give up his grief, even if it means losing the vestiges of a lover’s memory. An object of erotic fixation galvanizes men against the isolation of exile on a cruise liner. As he watches the disintegration of his picket-fence fantasy, an ex-soldier looks to the sea for absolution.
By turns urban and remote, the emotional landscapes navigated in this stunning debut collection offer a bold new meditation on love, loss, and isolation in our precarious present, and make visceral for us the duality of risk and salvation that attend our most passionate attachments.
By turns urban and remote, the emotional landscapes navigated in this stunning debut collection offer a bold new meditation on love, loss, and isolation in our precarious present, and make visceral for us the duality of risk and salvation that attend our most passionate attachments.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 30, 2017
When it comes to book discovery, Goodreads lived up to its promise big time with Part the Hawser, Lim the Sea. One of my goals this year is to broaden my reading horizons and this book certainly “sailed” me in a brand new direction. LGBT fiction was not at the top of my to read list but the reviews were solid and, after meeting the author, I thought it was time to try something different.
Lopez’s writing is captivating and fluid. I quickly connected with the characters and with every page became more engrossed in the people and their story.
The stories share a common slant around water and human relationships with a gay theme; however, they varied significantly from that point on. And although they revolved primarily around gay men, the situations, frustrations, despair, hope and desires, all beautifully portrayed, apply to everyone.
This is a book of relationships. From long time partners and friends to brand new meetings that might be destined to become long term or are obviously meant to be fleeting. It’s a series of short tales on the different ways people connect emotionally, physically and, yes at times, sexually. Noteworthy was how sexual tension was conveyed in some, but not all of stories, and very palatable too. Also, while there was a bit of graphic sexual content it was never gratuitous.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and admittedly am a bit surprised at how much it enraptured me.
My only criticism – the book is too short. I literally was somewhat frustrated when I came to the final page and repeatedly swiped the screen of my Kindle looking for the next story. Alas, I had finished them all and was still over the Rockies so, I went back to read and enjoy them again.
Part the Hawser, Lim the Sea is a very seducing and satisfying read and I am looking very forward to Dan Lopez’s future works.
Lopez’s writing is captivating and fluid. I quickly connected with the characters and with every page became more engrossed in the people and their story.
The stories share a common slant around water and human relationships with a gay theme; however, they varied significantly from that point on. And although they revolved primarily around gay men, the situations, frustrations, despair, hope and desires, all beautifully portrayed, apply to everyone.
This is a book of relationships. From long time partners and friends to brand new meetings that might be destined to become long term or are obviously meant to be fleeting. It’s a series of short tales on the different ways people connect emotionally, physically and, yes at times, sexually. Noteworthy was how sexual tension was conveyed in some, but not all of stories, and very palatable too. Also, while there was a bit of graphic sexual content it was never gratuitous.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and admittedly am a bit surprised at how much it enraptured me.
My only criticism – the book is too short. I literally was somewhat frustrated when I came to the final page and repeatedly swiped the screen of my Kindle looking for the next story. Alas, I had finished them all and was still over the Rockies so, I went back to read and enjoy them again.
Part the Hawser, Lim the Sea is a very seducing and satisfying read and I am looking very forward to Dan Lopez’s future works.
January 7, 2015
Disclosure: I know the author.
An engrossing collection of short stories that can be read on a long commute (side note: there should really be a series of books called Commuter Specials or something that can be read in one or two train rides). The stories are thematically related, but never in a forced or unnatural way. I admired the way Lopez could set a scene. Visual-heavy writing can get bogged down so easily, but these stories managed to feel buoyant (see what I did there) despite some great detail. I think if pressed I'd say the title story was my favorite.
Looking forward to a novel or something longer from Lopez in the future.
An engrossing collection of short stories that can be read on a long commute (side note: there should really be a series of books called Commuter Specials or something that can be read in one or two train rides). The stories are thematically related, but never in a forced or unnatural way. I admired the way Lopez could set a scene. Visual-heavy writing can get bogged down so easily, but these stories managed to feel buoyant (see what I did there) despite some great detail. I think if pressed I'd say the title story was my favorite.
Looking forward to a novel or something longer from Lopez in the future.
January 30, 2014
A deceptively easy read; I finished it quickly, but it will surely linger with me for a long while in the best possible way. The writing is rich and well-crafted, with excellent but not overwhelming attention to detail.
Like the sea itself, each story is by turns tragic, vast, erotic, passionate, and deceptively calm. Mr. Lopez's great strength in these stories is in injecting as much personal intimacy as universal themes of loneliness, desperation, hope and longing. You really feel like you know these characters, like they exist somewhere in your life, while at the same time you are touched by the broad sweep of the human condition.
On a cold New York day, in the middle of a winter saddled with the phrase "polar vortex," it was a welcome interlude to take a break from my usual genre reading to explore an anthology devoted to sailing, sea, and sun.
Like the sea itself, each story is by turns tragic, vast, erotic, passionate, and deceptively calm. Mr. Lopez's great strength in these stories is in injecting as much personal intimacy as universal themes of loneliness, desperation, hope and longing. You really feel like you know these characters, like they exist somewhere in your life, while at the same time you are touched by the broad sweep of the human condition.
On a cold New York day, in the middle of a winter saddled with the phrase "polar vortex," it was a welcome interlude to take a break from my usual genre reading to explore an anthology devoted to sailing, sea, and sun.
February 28, 2014
Part the Pages, Read the Book! I literally stayed up all night long doing just that and I'm happy to report that after climbing aboard this ARC, there were no disappointments in sight.
First off, I really enjoyed the vagaries posed in the title story... the namelessness of the ship, the murky circumstances surrounding the all important poem scrawled on its innards, and the underpinnings of who these characters would prove to be apart from their apparent motivations. A more than solid opening piece in terms of setting the tone for the collection in its entirety.
'Andrew Barbee' had all the charms of an epi of HBO's Looking were it set on the bay rather than just in the bay area. Plus, I learned all manner of nautical vocab including transom and gunwale. I savored the punchy last image at the story's close [and the telling metaphor that functioned within it].
That deposits us on the 'Coast of Indiana'
While the narrator complained of nagging waves of feeling like he was on the social outskirts in this scene, I personally felt very comfortable in the company of these characters. I also appreciated the ease with which the dialogue (and the salsa) flowed. 10 extra points to the author for including a friendly, if not wayward dog named Lucky.
I dug the Latino sass and the sexual current of 'The Cruise,' as well as the deft illustration of the uniformed apple of nearly everyone's eye, who's character takes on a near mythic allure throughout.
'Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky'
This story was 'adequate' jk (inside joke! you have to read the book to get it.) The beginning is somewhat brutal, then aside from the blistering revelations exposed mid-journey, there is reprieve found in an elegant, well equipped, and aptly named ship dubbed the Alma, and her peaceable ports of call. Though the story can't be called pedantic, I did end up distilling a number of lessons from it, including: be mindful of what you ultimately leave behind, privacy is a grand illusion, and it may just be best to let those sleeping dogs lie, be they real or imagined.
Like a fine wine, this collection of stories boasts an excellent finish.
First off, I really enjoyed the vagaries posed in the title story... the namelessness of the ship, the murky circumstances surrounding the all important poem scrawled on its innards, and the underpinnings of who these characters would prove to be apart from their apparent motivations. A more than solid opening piece in terms of setting the tone for the collection in its entirety.
'Andrew Barbee' had all the charms of an epi of HBO's Looking were it set on the bay rather than just in the bay area. Plus, I learned all manner of nautical vocab including transom and gunwale. I savored the punchy last image at the story's close [and the telling metaphor that functioned within it].
That deposits us on the 'Coast of Indiana'
While the narrator complained of nagging waves of feeling like he was on the social outskirts in this scene, I personally felt very comfortable in the company of these characters. I also appreciated the ease with which the dialogue (and the salsa) flowed. 10 extra points to the author for including a friendly, if not wayward dog named Lucky.
I dug the Latino sass and the sexual current of 'The Cruise,' as well as the deft illustration of the uniformed apple of nearly everyone's eye, who's character takes on a near mythic allure throughout.
'Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky'
This story was 'adequate' jk (inside joke! you have to read the book to get it.) The beginning is somewhat brutal, then aside from the blistering revelations exposed mid-journey, there is reprieve found in an elegant, well equipped, and aptly named ship dubbed the Alma, and her peaceable ports of call. Though the story can't be called pedantic, I did end up distilling a number of lessons from it, including: be mindful of what you ultimately leave behind, privacy is a grand illusion, and it may just be best to let those sleeping dogs lie, be they real or imagined.
Like a fine wine, this collection of stories boasts an excellent finish.
September 8, 2014
I loved all these short stories. The best thing about them (or what I'd like to remember of them) is the subtleties of the descriptions, especially those related to the ocean. They are suffused with peacefulness and slowness, just like watching waves go by, endlessly. The atmosphere, the sounds... you get the feel of being there and that alone is worth reading this book. The love for water (the best element) comes out so well that often I thought the writing didn't even need a story to support itself.
The stories though are good. You know just enough to connect and then when it ends, you have enough to imagine what might be next. Mystery is just as important as what does get told. For some reason I kept thinking at these Laurie Anderson's lyrics:
"What flower expresses days go by
and they just keep going by endlessly
pulling you into the future."
Finally, the title is awesome. It sounds great and, alright, I'll admit my command of the English language sucks and I don't believe I fully got the title, but I do know it connects with all the things I like about this book. And it did have a part in drawing me in.
The stories though are good. You know just enough to connect and then when it ends, you have enough to imagine what might be next. Mystery is just as important as what does get told. For some reason I kept thinking at these Laurie Anderson's lyrics:
"What flower expresses days go by
and they just keep going by endlessly
pulling you into the future."
Finally, the title is awesome. It sounds great and, alright, I'll admit my command of the English language sucks and I don't believe I fully got the title, but I do know it connects with all the things I like about this book. And it did have a part in drawing me in.
April 9, 2014
I'd rate this collection 3.5 stars.
I've said many times before that I marvel at the way short stories can move you, or make you think, in just a small number of pages. Good stories often leave you wanting more—not that the stories necessarily feel unfinished, but rather they get you so hooked on the characters that you would love to spend more time with them.
Dan Lopez's short collection, Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea, included five reasonably short but intriguing stories, several of which I wished were longer because I wanted to know more about the characters. The stories are linked by the sea—the water and boats factor in each of the stories, as do the roller coaster ride of emotions that relationships take you on.
In "Coast of Indiana," a man must decide if he should give up his own career and life's routines to follow his boyfriend, who will be attending graduate school in a small Indiana town. Time on the beach and on a ferry gives him more time to consider this decision. "The Cruise" follows a group of gay men on a cruise who are all lusting after a deckhand, who has ambitions of his own. In "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky," an architect, confronting grief after the death of his partner, decides to take the man's diaries on a cruise with a friend, and must come to terms with what he reads. And in the moving title story, two men are brought together by their shared grief about losing custody of their daughters.
I don't know where I heard about this collection, but it was really beautifully written and several of the stories were very moving. I really wish that some of the stories were longer because I would have appreciated getting to know some of these characters more, and better understand what made them tick. One or two seemed to end sooner than I would have liked, and left me wondering what happened next. But Dan Lopez is a tremendously talented writer, and these stories resonate even after they're done.
I've said many times before that I marvel at the way short stories can move you, or make you think, in just a small number of pages. Good stories often leave you wanting more—not that the stories necessarily feel unfinished, but rather they get you so hooked on the characters that you would love to spend more time with them.
Dan Lopez's short collection, Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea, included five reasonably short but intriguing stories, several of which I wished were longer because I wanted to know more about the characters. The stories are linked by the sea—the water and boats factor in each of the stories, as do the roller coaster ride of emotions that relationships take you on.
In "Coast of Indiana," a man must decide if he should give up his own career and life's routines to follow his boyfriend, who will be attending graduate school in a small Indiana town. Time on the beach and on a ferry gives him more time to consider this decision. "The Cruise" follows a group of gay men on a cruise who are all lusting after a deckhand, who has ambitions of his own. In "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky," an architect, confronting grief after the death of his partner, decides to take the man's diaries on a cruise with a friend, and must come to terms with what he reads. And in the moving title story, two men are brought together by their shared grief about losing custody of their daughters.
I don't know where I heard about this collection, but it was really beautifully written and several of the stories were very moving. I really wish that some of the stories were longer because I would have appreciated getting to know some of these characters more, and better understand what made them tick. One or two seemed to end sooner than I would have liked, and left me wondering what happened next. But Dan Lopez is a tremendously talented writer, and these stories resonate even after they're done.
February 5, 2014
These are excellent stories. The nautical setting of each of them provides a fresh and intriguing backdrop to themes of loss and self-discovery that are explored so well within these pages. Each story reminds the reader that to feel isolated in the company of others is, ironically, a common thing that unites us all even when we feel most alone.
January 28, 2014
Dan Lopez brings together an unforgettable collection of shaken, drifting characters with remarkable clarity. These heartbreaking stories reveal themselves unexpectedly, like hearing back from a note you stuffed in a bottle and tossed blindly out into the sea.
February 27, 2015
these stories sucked me in right away and left me wanting more!
June 15, 2014
I received this book as part of the Goodreads first reads program. I also received an origami boat. Neither of those facts have any influence on this review.
Short stories are tricky. You need to create a satisfying world in only a handful of pages. Short story collections are even trickier, as you create multiple worlds, often with nothing to do with one another, and try to get people invested in them all.
Dan Lopez does an admirable job in Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea. While his stories aren't related, they all have something to do with the water; either explicitly in the form of a cruise or a fishing trip, or tangentially in the form of a trip to the beach. While there are some issues with this - a lot of characters use nautical terms I don't know, especially in regards to boats (As an aside, I don't know why "the left side," "the right side," "the flat side," and "the pointy side" ever fell out of favor.), for the most part it works, and I found myself interested in seeing what would come next.
To be fair, this book is very short - five stories in all, and a scant 55 pages; I finished it in about half an hour - but each story is very strong, and it was interesting to see how each story developed.
Lopez clearly spent a lot of time working on each story, and tends to drop us into the middle of each one without providing much exposition. We meet up with characters and stay with them for only a short period of time, where we learn almost nothing, except what's important. We're left to figure stuff out on our own, and it works, because it allows us to fill in any details with things that make sense to whoever is reading.
There are some issues I had - in addition to the overuse of nautical terms, every character sounds the same (I don't think they're supposed to be the same, either), and in a number of stories the narrators have the same character flaws (ie, they're stubborn). But my complaints are minor. This collection makes for an easy, enjoyable read.
I'd say the two strongest stories are "Coast of Indiana" and "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky." For whatever reason, these are the two that spoke to me. "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky" is hilarious and hopeful and soul-crushing, all at once, while "Coast of Indiana" reminded me of myself and the paranoia and neurosis that comes with being in a relationship. And really, this neurosis and fear of intimacy is something of a common thread in all of these stories, just as pervasive as the water.
I enjoyed this collection, and I would recommend it. It's dark and depressing and hopeful and joyful all at once. There are rich characters, intriguing thoughts and ideas that are explored, and if nothing else, it's a great way to spend an hour. What more can you ask for in a book?
Short stories are tricky. You need to create a satisfying world in only a handful of pages. Short story collections are even trickier, as you create multiple worlds, often with nothing to do with one another, and try to get people invested in them all.
Dan Lopez does an admirable job in Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea. While his stories aren't related, they all have something to do with the water; either explicitly in the form of a cruise or a fishing trip, or tangentially in the form of a trip to the beach. While there are some issues with this - a lot of characters use nautical terms I don't know, especially in regards to boats (As an aside, I don't know why "the left side," "the right side," "the flat side," and "the pointy side" ever fell out of favor.), for the most part it works, and I found myself interested in seeing what would come next.
To be fair, this book is very short - five stories in all, and a scant 55 pages; I finished it in about half an hour - but each story is very strong, and it was interesting to see how each story developed.
Lopez clearly spent a lot of time working on each story, and tends to drop us into the middle of each one without providing much exposition. We meet up with characters and stay with them for only a short period of time, where we learn almost nothing, except what's important. We're left to figure stuff out on our own, and it works, because it allows us to fill in any details with things that make sense to whoever is reading.
There are some issues I had - in addition to the overuse of nautical terms, every character sounds the same (I don't think they're supposed to be the same, either), and in a number of stories the narrators have the same character flaws (ie, they're stubborn). But my complaints are minor. This collection makes for an easy, enjoyable read.
I'd say the two strongest stories are "Coast of Indiana" and "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky." For whatever reason, these are the two that spoke to me. "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky" is hilarious and hopeful and soul-crushing, all at once, while "Coast of Indiana" reminded me of myself and the paranoia and neurosis that comes with being in a relationship. And really, this neurosis and fear of intimacy is something of a common thread in all of these stories, just as pervasive as the water.
I enjoyed this collection, and I would recommend it. It's dark and depressing and hopeful and joyful all at once. There are rich characters, intriguing thoughts and ideas that are explored, and if nothing else, it's a great way to spend an hour. What more can you ask for in a book?
March 12, 2014
Dan Lopez does a fantastic job on Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea. I devoured the stories one by one and then went back to linger over each of them. I have already loaned the book to a friend so she can enjoy the stories as much as I did. Do yourself a favor and read it!
April 29, 2014
The author is my partner, so perhaps I would inevitably be won over by these stories. Beyond my bias, however, I think this is a fine collection of short fiction and a powerful debut. Lopez's wonderful ear for language allows him to breathe into these characters a life by turns quotidian, poignant and elegant.
What I really relish about the stories in this book is their unflinching look at the more troubled aspects of our relationships with others. Particularly the final story, "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky," in which the narrator not only grieves for a lost lover, but also must confront some of the ugly feelings that arise between caretaker and the cared-for. What Lopez succeeds so well in doing here is representing the everydayness—and also the normalcy and non-maliciousness—of those ugly feelings, which are revealed to be part and parcel of the vast array of emotions we experience when confronted with those whom we love. In a similar fashion, "Coast of Indiana" wades elegantly into the turbulence that arises when our identities as autonomous individuals are challenged by the unworlding event of love, when being attached means making compromises that a previous version of ourselves might never have thought possible.
The character portraits in these stories navigate a deeply resonant emotional terrain for gay men, but they are also everyone's stories; tales from the front lines of attachment, disappointment and the undying hope for a better life.
What I really relish about the stories in this book is their unflinching look at the more troubled aspects of our relationships with others. Particularly the final story, "Volumes Set Against a Twilight Sky," in which the narrator not only grieves for a lost lover, but also must confront some of the ugly feelings that arise between caretaker and the cared-for. What Lopez succeeds so well in doing here is representing the everydayness—and also the normalcy and non-maliciousness—of those ugly feelings, which are revealed to be part and parcel of the vast array of emotions we experience when confronted with those whom we love. In a similar fashion, "Coast of Indiana" wades elegantly into the turbulence that arises when our identities as autonomous individuals are challenged by the unworlding event of love, when being attached means making compromises that a previous version of ourselves might never have thought possible.
The character portraits in these stories navigate a deeply resonant emotional terrain for gay men, but they are also everyone's stories; tales from the front lines of attachment, disappointment and the undying hope for a better life.
May 8, 2014
This was a completely random pick from the library. I love short stories, so I didn't think twice about grabbing it up. I was unexpectedly impressed.
This collection of short stories contains the perfect amount of realism. We see an array of human emotions and the experiences feel so real. The nautical backdrop provides a unique link between the stories. I loved the writing style and the sense of mystery surrounding the characters. Although the stories stand on their own, the sequence they are printed in the book just works perfectly. The first one Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea seems to set the tone for the rest. The title is also the same as the two lined poem found within the story.
I believe the "poem" represents the human capacity for creating or painting our own reality. We must first part the hawser on our own ships of life or take a risk in order to strive for more.
Unfamiliar as I was, I found the definitions. The first, hawser:
noun (Nautical)
a heavy rope for mooring or towing.
And the second, limn:
verb (used with object)
1. to represent in drawing or painting.
2. to portray in words; describe.
This collection of short stories contains the perfect amount of realism. We see an array of human emotions and the experiences feel so real. The nautical backdrop provides a unique link between the stories. I loved the writing style and the sense of mystery surrounding the characters. Although the stories stand on their own, the sequence they are printed in the book just works perfectly. The first one Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea seems to set the tone for the rest. The title is also the same as the two lined poem found within the story.
I believe the "poem" represents the human capacity for creating or painting our own reality. We must first part the hawser on our own ships of life or take a risk in order to strive for more.
Unfamiliar as I was, I found the definitions. The first, hawser:
noun (Nautical)
a heavy rope for mooring or towing.
And the second, limn:
verb (used with object)
1. to represent in drawing or painting.
2. to portray in words; describe.
June 16, 2014
*Disclaimer: I won this book for free through Goodreads' giveaways*
Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea is a beautiful collection of short stories all focused around the waterways and seas that Mr. Lopez's characters are drawn to for their own reasons. Each tale is beautiful in its simplicity, the tone and voice for each a unique experience that really adds to the vignette we (the reader) are exploring.
The title story is my clear favorite, giving the fullest characters and richest scenes in so few words. The others are just as enjoyable, but the first really solidifies the (unfortunately) short collection. That said, I almost feel as if the other stories (from Andrew Barbee on) needed a little more to them; each one ended so suddenly that I didn't get the same satisfaction as I did PHLS. Hopefully, Mr. Lopez will be looking to publish more of his pieces as I would gladly pick up more of his work.
Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea is a beautiful collection of short stories all focused around the waterways and seas that Mr. Lopez's characters are drawn to for their own reasons. Each tale is beautiful in its simplicity, the tone and voice for each a unique experience that really adds to the vignette we (the reader) are exploring.
The title story is my clear favorite, giving the fullest characters and richest scenes in so few words. The others are just as enjoyable, but the first really solidifies the (unfortunately) short collection. That said, I almost feel as if the other stories (from Andrew Barbee on) needed a little more to them; each one ended so suddenly that I didn't get the same satisfaction as I did PHLS. Hopefully, Mr. Lopez will be looking to publish more of his pieces as I would gladly pick up more of his work.
September 23, 2017
Good stories. Great title.
June 11, 2021
I selected this book for the Lambda Lit Book Club when it came out. It was universally liked and brought about great discussion. So much is in this slim volume!
June 8, 2016
I have a confession: I don't like short stories. I tend to avoid them at all costs. I like long, laden, hefty novels. I never would have read this if I hadn't won it. I'm so glad that didn't happen. I wouldn't missed out on some beautiful short stories.
Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea is a collection of melancholy, languid, bittersweet, heartful stories. I'm always interested in queerlit, which is why this collection caught my eye to begin with, but the author is delightfully subtle, and rather than the stories being about gay men, they're simply stories about men who happen to also be gay. The imagery of the sea, of loneliness, of grief, and even of hope come together to create an awesome and memorable set of tales to be treasured. I may not have gotten the long journey I usually adore or the happy-happy ending I usually crave, but I was touched deeply nonetheless.
This is a collection I plan to keep and savor again in the future. When that mood strikes me that a romance or a fantasy adventure just can't fulfill, these stories will give me something to ponder and muse over. I don't doubt that I will find new things to love about each and every time.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea is a collection of melancholy, languid, bittersweet, heartful stories. I'm always interested in queerlit, which is why this collection caught my eye to begin with, but the author is delightfully subtle, and rather than the stories being about gay men, they're simply stories about men who happen to also be gay. The imagery of the sea, of loneliness, of grief, and even of hope come together to create an awesome and memorable set of tales to be treasured. I may not have gotten the long journey I usually adore or the happy-happy ending I usually crave, but I was touched deeply nonetheless.
This is a collection I plan to keep and savor again in the future. When that mood strikes me that a romance or a fantasy adventure just can't fulfill, these stories will give me something to ponder and muse over. I don't doubt that I will find new things to love about each and every time.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
April 29, 2014
Disclaimer: I know the author.
TLDR; Them feels, man!
Long version:
These short stories are tied to each other by two ships: relationships and regular ships. I liked that there was some technical knowledge about ships in each story without boring the non-ship enthusiast about them. For those who are not interested in ships, the relationships between the characters are the star of the stories. I liked how the emotions of the characters seemed to mirror the feeling one gets on ships: from the claustrophobic trapped feeling to the exhilarating sense of freedom when standing on deck and looking at the endless horizon.
After I read the last story in the book, I thought about how difficult it must be to write short stories. You don't have the flexibility in length that you would have in a novel-length book, yet you want the reader to feel invested in the characters and provide an arch.
I got the same feeling I usually get when I finish a good short story, which is I wish it were longer and I didn't have to say goodbye to the characters so soon. I was especially sad not knowing what happened to the architect.
TLDR; Them feels, man!
Long version:
These short stories are tied to each other by two ships: relationships and regular ships. I liked that there was some technical knowledge about ships in each story without boring the non-ship enthusiast about them. For those who are not interested in ships, the relationships between the characters are the star of the stories. I liked how the emotions of the characters seemed to mirror the feeling one gets on ships: from the claustrophobic trapped feeling to the exhilarating sense of freedom when standing on deck and looking at the endless horizon.
After I read the last story in the book, I thought about how difficult it must be to write short stories. You don't have the flexibility in length that you would have in a novel-length book, yet you want the reader to feel invested in the characters and provide an arch.
I got the same feeling I usually get when I finish a good short story, which is I wish it were longer and I didn't have to say goodbye to the characters so soon. I was especially sad not knowing what happened to the architect.
May 31, 2015
I chose to read this book for the 2015 book challenge I am attempting. The category was Read a book by an author with your same initials. This was harder then expected and I ended up using my maiden name, D.L. Thankfully this was a very short book of short stories. Theses stories made no sense and only showed a brief moment in the characters life. All of the moments were very insignificant, which may have been the point, but made for very boring stories. The last story had the greatest potential, but failed in my opinion to make any type of statement......Still confused on why such great reviews on stories with no point.
July 12, 2016
This book packs quite a punch for its length! I found each story brilliantly crafted and populated with realistic characters experiencing specific-yet-oh-so-relatable trouble with their relationships and identity. It also works perfectly as a collection, curling around similar ideas without repeating itself (like the best collections do). I reached the end immediately wanting to go back and reread the first story to refresh my memory and dig into it more; the kind of book you want to read somewhere quiet, where you can sit and digest.
*note: The author is a friend
*note: The author is a friend
June 15, 2014
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I am impressed with how much feeling and emotion went into 51 short pages. Each story grabs you and doesn't let go. Lust, Love, Pain, Heartache, Friendships and Discovery. This book has it all. I am so very glad I got the chance to read this book and get to know all of it's characters. I also like the writing style and how the author leaves the conclusions to the stories open for the readers own imagination. Not my usual type of read, but I very much enjoyed it. Thank you Dan Lopez :)
I am impressed with how much feeling and emotion went into 51 short pages. Each story grabs you and doesn't let go. Lust, Love, Pain, Heartache, Friendships and Discovery. This book has it all. I am so very glad I got the chance to read this book and get to know all of it's characters. I also like the writing style and how the author leaves the conclusions to the stories open for the readers own imagination. Not my usual type of read, but I very much enjoyed it. Thank you Dan Lopez :)
July 15, 2016
This slim collection of very loosely connected stories -- the boat motif is all that binds them -- was a bit wooden for my taste. The stories seemed constructed and had little strong voice in them, and yet at the same time we're not plot-driven either, and thus seemed to dither around. Now, at a three-week remove from having read it, only a single character stands out -- the bitchy architect/journal writer whose fear of being abandoned caused him to write pages and pages and pages of journals castigating his long-time boyfriend -- and I didn't like him!
May 29, 2014
This was a great collection of short stories that made me a little sad. The book's tone is gray, but in a thoughtful and contemplative sense. The stories aren't necessarily the "anchors aweigh!" variety I was expecting (and maybe hoping for). The book's more about water as a setting and I'm sure, if I thought about it long enough, as a metaphor. It's such a quick read and very worth it.
April 6, 2014
Part the Hawser, Limn the Sea is a collection of short stories (...surprise, they're gay! and I'm not kidding about the surprise part!) with relatively gender-ambiguous narrators.
I found the first story (the namesake) to be quite moving and the rest rather so-so.
I found the first story (the namesake) to be quite moving and the rest rather so-so.
May 20, 2014
There was something really lovely and yearning and hopeful about all of these stories, people living and enduring and trying oh so hard.
July 11, 2016
Love the nautical focus of stories that can be deceptively light but contain a fast punch. These are the kinds of short stories that add meaning each time they are read.
May 3, 2014
Dan, you are a master of endings.
September 9, 2014
Great book!
Review later
Review later
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews