Jonah: A Novel of Men and the Sea

by Howard Butcher

Jonah, an apprentice oil field diver, is partnered with Seed, a parolee from Angola, Louisiana’s notorious maximum security prison. The two strangers work in the brutal and exotic offshore world of the Gulf of Mexico. An accident enrages Seed, and his shocking retaliation starts a blood feud. Roughnecks and Riggers across the Gulf want retribution against Jonah's dive team. Every assignment sends Jonah farther out to deeper and more dangerous jobs. Topside, he must fight to survive the worst that men can do, while undersea he works in a surreal world where every breath can bring death, the night ocean lights up with bioluminescence, and giant predators hunt.

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2018

Reviews

[S. Pierzchala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a well-researched action tale of modern-day bravery and grit. It tells the story of a young man, fascinated by the sea since his childhood, who becomes an inexperienced diver (a "Tender") for a professional diving company. Jonah leaves his budding romance behind him onshore while he enters the grueling world of pipeline-laying for the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, he runs afoul of Seed, a psychotic ex-con who takes a dislike to him and begins harassing and tormenting him. As Jonah gains experience, confidence, and wisdom, he encounters enigmatic, almost mystical figures such as the formidable Dive Supervisor, Aleck Brockman, and a mysterious Blue whale who haunts the waters near their work site.

I knew virtually nothing about this subject beforehand and was utterly absorbed by Butcher's skill in incorporating much technical material into the story's drama. His extensive knowledge of the various aspects and hazards of deep-sea diving, and all the complex equipment and service vessels required to maintain this industry, is seamlessly interwoven into the novel.

He paints a vivid, immersive picture—powerful in its simplicity and understated prose—of the crews who undertake this incredibly risky yet important work. “Jonah” is much more than a pean to the oil and gas industry, it's a gripping tale of good and evil, of man against man, and humanity against nature, even while it revels in the eternal mysteries and beauties of the ocean.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a long time to read this book. I can't give it one set of starts. Overall story 5, characters 5+,violence and violence a 3, research and knowledge of subject 5+, how much I learned from this book 5+.

Johan is a young man who always loved the creature of the ocean and wanted to dive. The Golf Coast hires man divers to work on the under water oil pipes. Extremely dangerous work. Many violent men gravitate to the diving jobs as they pay well. Jonah wants to be qualified to dive deep. The work is very hard and dangerous. The last day of this trips turns tragic and you will have to read to see how a Great Blue Whale saves his life.

Diving and cave exploration make it difficult for me to read them at night. But I would highly recommend this book.

[Michael Sokoloski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story that was better than I expected. I truly hope to read more novels from this gifted
author!

[Shannon Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy mola — what an intense book! A unique look into the lives of commercial divers in the oil and gas industry, with homage to the respect, fear, and love that the ocean deserves.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Learnt so much as it was obviously well researched. Really bonded with Jonah and didn’t want the story to finish! Would like to read more from this author!