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Hold Fast
It is 1761 off the coast of Italy, and 13-year-old Joseph Carlos and his cousin have just been kidnapped by the British Navy and impressed into service on the Deptford, a British man-of-war. Just the day before the two boys were happily sailing with their uncle on a routine merchant passage, dreaming of owning their own ship one day and returning home to the warmth and safety of their family.
What was supposed to be a “punishment” for a childish misadventure turns into a fight for survival on foreign seas. The boys have to rely on each other as they struggle with a new world of unfathomable rules and codes, near-death floggings, lethal storms, and intrigue. Their endurance depends not only on their own bravery and stamina but on how fast they can learn English. For the next two years the ship becomes their prison, their classroom, and their home. Eventually, Joseph Carlos has to make a choice that shapes what kind of person he becomes.
Hold Fast is a young adult, historical novel in the vein of Kidnapped. Based on a true story, it combines brutal storytelling and a poignant sense of humor while tracing the route of the Deptford across the Atlantic Ocean. This book follows the lives of two Italian boys, but it also tells the story of Harrison, the Sea Watch, and the discovery of longitude.
What was supposed to be a “punishment” for a childish misadventure turns into a fight for survival on foreign seas. The boys have to rely on each other as they struggle with a new world of unfathomable rules and codes, near-death floggings, lethal storms, and intrigue. Their endurance depends not only on their own bravery and stamina but on how fast they can learn English. For the next two years the ship becomes their prison, their classroom, and their home. Eventually, Joseph Carlos has to make a choice that shapes what kind of person he becomes.
Hold Fast is a young adult, historical novel in the vein of Kidnapped. Based on a true story, it combines brutal storytelling and a poignant sense of humor while tracing the route of the Deptford across the Atlantic Ocean. This book follows the lives of two Italian boys, but it also tells the story of Harrison, the Sea Watch, and the discovery of longitude.
232 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 1, 2020
I really had no interest in reading about 1.) boys, 2.) boats, or 3.) 1761 Italy, yet here I am loving this book and the boys and boats therein. The writing of this adventure tale is truly excellent, with near-poetic similes balancing out the nautical jargon. It's easy to see one getting drawn into the tale even without an interest in the seafaring tales that this book is seeming to get lumped together with. I've never read much from Nathaniel Philbrick, but if you have then you need to check out this book. This historical realities here are fascinating and had me rapidly googling history upon finishing the novel.
Titles are hard, and sometimes don't matter- but I like this one. It's apt, and the "title track" moment is a great set-piece from the novel, deserving of being highlighted by the title.
There's a great deal of time devoted to the suffering of children here, and I'm not normally a fan of reading about that sort of thing, but it is conveyed well in a way that makes one appreciate the depths of the experiences (without actually experiencing them).
The moral and emotional complexities explored by the concluding moments really push this over the top as not just a mere adventure tale, but an incredibly well written one that demands our careful consideration while offering thrilling excitement.
For the movie, we can cast newcomers for the two boys, but I'm seeing Nikki Reed as Lena, and definitely Ed Sheeran as Tomaso. Maybe Christian Bale for Jameson. And Tim Curry as Gyorgy.
Titles are hard, and sometimes don't matter- but I like this one. It's apt, and the "title track" moment is a great set-piece from the novel, deserving of being highlighted by the title.
There's a great deal of time devoted to the suffering of children here, and I'm not normally a fan of reading about that sort of thing, but it is conveyed well in a way that makes one appreciate the depths of the experiences (without actually experiencing them).
The moral and emotional complexities explored by the concluding moments really push this over the top as not just a mere adventure tale, but an incredibly well written one that demands our careful consideration while offering thrilling excitement.
For the movie, we can cast newcomers for the two boys, but I'm seeing Nikki Reed as Lena, and definitely Ed Sheeran as Tomaso. Maybe Christian Bale for Jameson. And Tim Curry as Gyorgy.
March 10, 2020
Adventure story! But make it a real downer.
Hold Fast is the vaguely true tale of two 13-year-old Italian boys pressed into service by the Royal Navy at the end of the 18th century.
The premise for this book seemed exciting: Thrills and danger on the high seas! At times, the story delivers on that concept. But mostly, it’s a depressing, dirge of a book that goes from compellingly harrowing to profoundly bleak around the midpoint.
But remember, things are never so bad that they can’t get worse!
And worse and worse they get for poor young Joseph Carlos, who seems to be learning the lesson that defying a rule about boundaries for children will ultimately lead to beatings, starvation, and death.
I’ll give the authors credit for this: I imagine this is a fairly realistic portrayal of the horrors that might await one who was press-ganged into the Royal Navy in the late 1700s. That said, I’m not sure that it makes for a great novel, and I’m especially skeptical about whether it makes a good young adult novel.
The writing also isn’t particularly good, which doesn’t help. While the early action is happening on the good ship Deptford, this doesn’t matter much. But the ham-handedness of it really comes home to roost toward the end of the story when tragedy strikes.
The structure of the concluding moments of the book frustrates as well. Things are as bad as can be for poor Joseph Carlos at the close of the final chapter. Then we get an epilogue that is essentially 10 measly lines telling us “but after all THAT, he lived happily ever after!” Huh? What? Did one of the authors write 99 percent of the book and the other wrote the epilogue?
I’m aware from the About the Authors section that this is a family story belonging to one of them. This does explain some of the plot points that don’t add up to great material for a novel, but it also proves that maybe not all family stories are worthy of a novel for the masses.
I did enjoy parts of this book very much: The accounts of day-to-day life on a ship and the descriptions of the perils faced by sailors at the time were riveting. But the more personal components of the story fell short in too many categories.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Hold Fast is the vaguely true tale of two 13-year-old Italian boys pressed into service by the Royal Navy at the end of the 18th century.
The premise for this book seemed exciting: Thrills and danger on the high seas! At times, the story delivers on that concept. But mostly, it’s a depressing, dirge of a book that goes from compellingly harrowing to profoundly bleak around the midpoint.
But remember, things are never so bad that they can’t get worse!
And worse and worse they get for poor young Joseph Carlos, who seems to be learning the lesson that defying a rule about boundaries for children will ultimately lead to beatings, starvation, and death.
I’ll give the authors credit for this: I imagine this is a fairly realistic portrayal of the horrors that might await one who was press-ganged into the Royal Navy in the late 1700s. That said, I’m not sure that it makes for a great novel, and I’m especially skeptical about whether it makes a good young adult novel.
The writing also isn’t particularly good, which doesn’t help. While the early action is happening on the good ship Deptford, this doesn’t matter much. But the ham-handedness of it really comes home to roost toward the end of the story when tragedy strikes.
The structure of the concluding moments of the book frustrates as well. Things are as bad as can be for poor Joseph Carlos at the close of the final chapter. Then we get an epilogue that is essentially 10 measly lines telling us “but after all THAT, he lived happily ever after!” Huh? What? Did one of the authors write 99 percent of the book and the other wrote the epilogue?
I’m aware from the About the Authors section that this is a family story belonging to one of them. This does explain some of the plot points that don’t add up to great material for a novel, but it also proves that maybe not all family stories are worthy of a novel for the masses.
I did enjoy parts of this book very much: The accounts of day-to-day life on a ship and the descriptions of the perils faced by sailors at the time were riveting. But the more personal components of the story fell short in too many categories.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
March 2, 2020
Fates tossed to the winds, Joseph and his cousin Suchet are forced to work on the family's sailing barque, the Diligencia , as punishment for their bad behavior. Based on a true family story, Hold Fast by Marshall Highet and Bird Staz brings close the feelings of the young teens browbeaten away from their home in Italy in 1761. Plunged into danger and adventure on the high seas through a gripping series of dramatic, unusual rights of passage, their patience, love for each other, courage and determination is tested on every page. If you enjoy the skullduggery of history and the possibility of new beginnings this is the fast paced book for you.
December 19, 2022
Joseph Carlo agrees to join his younger cousin on a daring late-night expedition, but he has no inkling of the life-changing consequences it will bring. It is 1761. Italy. The boys are members of a sea-fearing family with a respectable name, so when it is discovered that they took an unthinkable risk, their uncle Honore has no choice. They must be punished. That punishment takes the two teens down a rabbit hole of adventure and adversity, crossing leagues of water and landing halfway across the world. Who could have imagined how the fortune-teller’s words would be fulfilled?
Hold Fast takes us way back to the 18th century, far from the comforts of home. The richly detailed descriptions of Highet and Jones evoke the world of seamen and the British Navy at war. It is not an easy world, and all the senses are engaged. There is quite a ride for the emotions, too – joy, pain, thrill, fear, anger, and stress. Here we meet historical figures and are present for recorded events. We read bits in Italian, French, and even Latin. There is so much to learn.
Hold Fast is an action novel with a cast of men – some feared, some admired, and a few loved. They impact us through the young boys Suchet and Joseph Carlo. Seeing it all through his eyes makes this novel an excellent read for teenagers. The story is inspired by real events, and readers may want to look up the Siege of Havana or the longitude watchmaker. They will learn more about the importance of physically holding fast to the mast of a sailing ship and standing firm in life's figurative storms.
Hold Fast is a historical fiction young adult novel about the adventures of two teenagers who wind up on a British Navy ship and must learn the hard lessons of life at sea. This exciting novel gives readers a real life of the hardships of being a sailor in the 1700s. Readers will be captivated by the journey these two cousins go on and their story of survival.
Hold Fast takes us way back to the 18th century, far from the comforts of home. The richly detailed descriptions of Highet and Jones evoke the world of seamen and the British Navy at war. It is not an easy world, and all the senses are engaged. There is quite a ride for the emotions, too – joy, pain, thrill, fear, anger, and stress. Here we meet historical figures and are present for recorded events. We read bits in Italian, French, and even Latin. There is so much to learn.
Hold Fast is an action novel with a cast of men – some feared, some admired, and a few loved. They impact us through the young boys Suchet and Joseph Carlo. Seeing it all through his eyes makes this novel an excellent read for teenagers. The story is inspired by real events, and readers may want to look up the Siege of Havana or the longitude watchmaker. They will learn more about the importance of physically holding fast to the mast of a sailing ship and standing firm in life's figurative storms.
Hold Fast is a historical fiction young adult novel about the adventures of two teenagers who wind up on a British Navy ship and must learn the hard lessons of life at sea. This exciting novel gives readers a real life of the hardships of being a sailor in the 1700s. Readers will be captivated by the journey these two cousins go on and their story of survival.
August 30, 2020
Great story! Boys in particular may enjoy this adventure tale. Two young Italian boys are impressed by the British to working on their ship. It's an exciting story, as the boys learn about life and working on a ship while learning a new language. Considering that kidnappings like this really happened, middle school kids into history or ships may well find this an fascinating read. It's well written and researched. I think as far as historical fiction goes, this is one that should be right at home on a library shelf in middle school.
alley
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
alley
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
March 15, 2019
I received this book through NetGalley. This is a book which I'd be happy to provide to any young person wanting to know about the eighteenth-century or sailing. It reminded me of "Johnny Tremain" in its skillful use of fiction to introduce younger readers to history. I'm typically skeptical of historical fiction for persnickety historian reasons but I had no major problems here.
March 2, 2019
Italian cousins Joseph Carlo and Suchet attempts to alleviate boredom somehow lead them to serve in the British Navy. While there they learn how brutal life on the seas really is. As they face the danger of the seas they have decide what type of men they will become. This is a historical biography based on the time Joseph Carlo Mauran -- who commanded the vessel Spitfire during the Revolutionary War -- served the British Navy in his early teens. This is a very male heavy novel with only one female character, his cousin Madalena in the entire novel with most of the other characters being sailors. Hold Fast straddles the line between middle grade and young adult fiction, so while it doesn't shy away from encounters with the death, destruction, and disease sailors encounter it does shy away from the bawdier aspects of a sailor's life, meaning while there's some salty language there's no real sexual innuendo. Highet does an excellent job depicting the dangers of life in the British Navy. This book is recommended for collections that are looking for historical fiction which is a good transition between middle grade and young adult fiction.
March 25, 2019
I found this one very hard to get into. DNF @ 42% i don’t plan on picking up the physical copy but may listen to the audiobook (& update my review on here) but am in no rush
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews