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Nine Summers: Our Mediterranean Odyssey
When Felix Huber was diagnosed with a rare cancer at the age of 60, he and his wife, Rina, decided to live out their dream of sailing the Mediterranean. The couple, sweethearts since childhood, had nine glorious summers of adventuring before Felix died.
- GenresBiography
280 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2007
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 21, 2019
This is a brave, lighthearted and charming story told by one of the two adventurers herself:
In the late 1980's Dr Felix Huber was a respected surgeon in Sydney, Australia, married to Rina Huber (the author) with a grown up family and grandchildren. Then he is diagnosed with lymphoma, a treatable one, but reoccurrences were inevitable.
The couples response was to give up their jobs, buy a yacht and sail around the Mediterranean for the Nine Summers of the title.
The daily trials and joys and adventures and tribulations of sailing around the Mediterranean are engrossing and beautifully written. The authors voice comes through very strongly as does the relationship between Felix and Rina. I just love the notion of facing off a terminal diagnosis by doing what you had always dreamed of, so the entire voyage is inspiring in that regard.
The day to day descriptions of the sailing, the seas, the locations and the people they meet are intriguing and enjoyable. The descriptions are backed up by a useful map tracing their route and as both parties were interested in Art and History, Literature and Music, Food and Wine their descriptions of the places they visit resonated with me a great deal. Ultimately, the ending is sad; nine years is a long time to live with lymphoma and Felix dies at the end. The circumstances at the end of the story, therefore are no happy ending, but Rina's writing makes it poignant rather than desperate and as a reader I found it a satisfying book from start to finish.
In the late 1980's Dr Felix Huber was a respected surgeon in Sydney, Australia, married to Rina Huber (the author) with a grown up family and grandchildren. Then he is diagnosed with lymphoma, a treatable one, but reoccurrences were inevitable.
The couples response was to give up their jobs, buy a yacht and sail around the Mediterranean for the Nine Summers of the title.
The daily trials and joys and adventures and tribulations of sailing around the Mediterranean are engrossing and beautifully written. The authors voice comes through very strongly as does the relationship between Felix and Rina. I just love the notion of facing off a terminal diagnosis by doing what you had always dreamed of, so the entire voyage is inspiring in that regard.
The day to day descriptions of the sailing, the seas, the locations and the people they meet are intriguing and enjoyable. The descriptions are backed up by a useful map tracing their route and as both parties were interested in Art and History, Literature and Music, Food and Wine their descriptions of the places they visit resonated with me a great deal. Ultimately, the ending is sad; nine years is a long time to live with lymphoma and Felix dies at the end. The circumstances at the end of the story, therefore are no happy ending, but Rina's writing makes it poignant rather than desperate and as a reader I found it a satisfying book from start to finish.
December 17, 2008
I like the paper they've used for this one, the book has a great feel to it and the cover foto is lovely.
So finished this one. Couple, both jews in europe in the 20's from germany / eastern europe, both survived the nazis and the 40's. Reached Australia and their 60's when the bloke, Felix gets a lump and has a possibly (probably, unless something else gets him first) terminal illness. They sell up, he quits as a surgeon and they buy a boat and sail the med for .... 9 summers. It is a life affirming book about death. We're all going to die at some point, what do we do when we are given a more definite departure point? Well sailing round the med is a pretty fun, beautiful thing to do. It is funny as ever how we still get caught up in the day to day mudane aspects of life, even when we're trying to see the big picture and the big sky and sea in this case.
I enjoyed it, of course I would also love to sail the med too for 9 summers, but we'll have to see how that one pans out...
She does a good job of describing it, 'it' being the whole enormity of both having to live with it, through it, and then go back and write the record of it - all the while too her own health wasn't great. Again I enjoyed it but I can see it will not be for everyone, but it's still a great life affirming reminder that life is what you make it, don't settle for what you don't like, we're a long time dead and all of that.
So finished this one. Couple, both jews in europe in the 20's from germany / eastern europe, both survived the nazis and the 40's. Reached Australia and their 60's when the bloke, Felix gets a lump and has a possibly (probably, unless something else gets him first) terminal illness. They sell up, he quits as a surgeon and they buy a boat and sail the med for .... 9 summers. It is a life affirming book about death. We're all going to die at some point, what do we do when we are given a more definite departure point? Well sailing round the med is a pretty fun, beautiful thing to do. It is funny as ever how we still get caught up in the day to day mudane aspects of life, even when we're trying to see the big picture and the big sky and sea in this case.
I enjoyed it, of course I would also love to sail the med too for 9 summers, but we'll have to see how that one pans out...
She does a good job of describing it, 'it' being the whole enormity of both having to live with it, through it, and then go back and write the record of it - all the while too her own health wasn't great. Again I enjoyed it but I can see it will not be for everyone, but it's still a great life affirming reminder that life is what you make it, don't settle for what you don't like, we're a long time dead and all of that.
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July 30, 2011This book is a fast, excellent & very beautiful read. Rina Huber brings you aboard their yacht as she & her husband of 50+ years, Felix, travel the amazing Mediterranean. This is a book to relax the day or days away with. I loved every page!!!! Their joys, struggles, love, adventures, laughter & experiences in some way are ones everyone of all walks of life can understand & relate to.
November 17, 2025
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If you have ever fallen victim to a cryptocurrency fraud, such as a phony investment, trading, or trading scam, don't hesitate to contact OPTIMUM HACKERS RECOVERY as soon as you can for assistance in recovering all of your assets. Being a qualified private investigator, he is undoubtedly the greatest hacker I've ever encountered. He is also incredibly quick and dependable, which is why everyone praises his expertise. He prevented me from nearly passing out from melancholy after a significant loss on an internet investment. Thanks to OPTIMUM HACKERS RECOVERY who is a Godsend, I will always recommend Optimum Hackers Recovery to everyone who needs a legitimate hacker.
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November 10, 2014
A really lovely read as much about the love between Rina and her husband, Felix, as a travel log. Written in a chatty, friendly style which starts off slowly but quickens as Felix's health deteriorates. I enjoyed all aspects of this book - both the love story and the chance to travel the Mediterranean with them.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews