What do you think?
Rate this book
Marooned with a Marine
Psychologist Neil is a civilian embedded with a division of Marines sent out as part of a peacekeeping mission overseas in the Pacific. When the local political situation erupts into open civil war, the American troops are ordered to evacuate. Neil escapes in a small plane, along with several military personnel.
The plane crashes into the sea, with only Neil and a Marine surviving. They're swept over a reef and deposited in the lagoon of a deserted island.
As they work together to survive in the hopes of being rescued, mutual respect warms into friendship. But Neil's feelings grow deeper, and he keeps them hidden from his companion.
How would the Marine react if he knew the feelings Neil harbors for him? Can what they share in isolation carry over if -- or when -- they're rescued?
The plane crashes into the sea, with only Neil and a Marine surviving. They're swept over a reef and deposited in the lagoon of a deserted island.
As they work together to survive in the hopes of being rescued, mutual respect warms into friendship. But Neil's feelings grow deeper, and he keeps them hidden from his companion.
How would the Marine react if he knew the feelings Neil harbors for him? Can what they share in isolation carry over if -- or when -- they're rescued?
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2020
About the author
Gordon Phillips
15 booksI write what I like to read: horror, fantasy, science fiction, and romance. I play the piano, like to build things when needed.
"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë is my favourite novel, and is, IMHO, the greatest novel in the English language.
Second is the legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, which includes "The Lord of the Rings" and, more importantly, "The Book of Lost Tales."
I have lived in Toronto since the beginning of time (my time, that is) and have no plans to move, Toronto being in many ways a perfect city.
"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë is my favourite novel, and is, IMHO, the greatest novel in the English language.
Second is the legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, which includes "The Lord of the Rings" and, more importantly, "The Book of Lost Tales."
I have lived in Toronto since the beginning of time (my time, that is) and have no plans to move, Toronto being in many ways a perfect city.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 19, 2023
On seeing the title, the reader might think “not another tale of two men getting it off on a tropical island!”. Of course there is an element of that here, but the story is much deeper than that and much more interesting.
Neil, a psychologist with more of the gay angst than is perhaps good for him, is embedded with the Marines who intervene in a nasty local conflict at an unnamed South Pacific locale. He and William, a real hunk nearly always referred to as “Marine”, bail out of a crashed plane and end up on a nearby island, with the latter suffering some injuries.
The pair turn out to be more evenly matched than one would expect: Neil appreciates the Marine, partly because of his physique but also for his practical and systematic way of doing things. The Marine has already noticed that Neil does not shirk hard work and is always willing to pitch in. The Marine’s survival training and Neil’s demonstration that he is also observant and inventive stand them in good stead as they seek food and water and endeavour to arm themselves. At the same time, Neil’s attraction to the Marine is seemingly being reciprocated, but Neil is unsure how to handle this.
The author establishing a setting with just the right amount of detail. The story moves along at a good clip and has real depth. Descriptions of how the men survived are intermingled with humour, patience, and more understanding than Neil thought the Marine possessed as the two men move towards establishing an intimate and potentially lasting relationship. Neil periodically trips himself up with self-doubt, especially near the end after a period of separation, until he realizes he must recognize and declare what he really wants.
Neil, a psychologist with more of the gay angst than is perhaps good for him, is embedded with the Marines who intervene in a nasty local conflict at an unnamed South Pacific locale. He and William, a real hunk nearly always referred to as “Marine”, bail out of a crashed plane and end up on a nearby island, with the latter suffering some injuries.
The pair turn out to be more evenly matched than one would expect: Neil appreciates the Marine, partly because of his physique but also for his practical and systematic way of doing things. The Marine has already noticed that Neil does not shirk hard work and is always willing to pitch in. The Marine’s survival training and Neil’s demonstration that he is also observant and inventive stand them in good stead as they seek food and water and endeavour to arm themselves. At the same time, Neil’s attraction to the Marine is seemingly being reciprocated, but Neil is unsure how to handle this.
The author establishing a setting with just the right amount of detail. The story moves along at a good clip and has real depth. Descriptions of how the men survived are intermingled with humour, patience, and more understanding than Neil thought the Marine possessed as the two men move towards establishing an intimate and potentially lasting relationship. Neil periodically trips himself up with self-doubt, especially near the end after a period of separation, until he realizes he must recognize and declare what he really wants.
February 3, 2021
An adventure story in the classical sense, Marooned with a Marine takes the reader into the soul of both castaways as they struggle to survive, struggle to share, and finally struggle to care past the reserves which faraway society demands of a Marine and of one support personnel.
Through descriptive detail of inner and outer environment, the author is able to trace the development of trust between two men who must unite efforts to survive as well as learn to respect each other’s differences and desires.
One comes away with a higher regard not just for Marines but for the strength required to live deeply and honestly.
Through descriptive detail of inner and outer environment, the author is able to trace the development of trust between two men who must unite efforts to survive as well as learn to respect each other’s differences and desires.
One comes away with a higher regard not just for Marines but for the strength required to live deeply and honestly.
January 1, 2023
Why even give the marine a name? It was said once, maybe? The rest, he's the Marine. It was odd. The idea was good and some of the writing was good but the romantic relationship didn't work for me. They have a weird convo about him being gay and then BAM they are having sex? It didn't work at all for me. Written differently, it could have worked.
August 27, 2020
2.5 rounded up. I loved the premise, which is what allowed me to read the opening chapter...it was clinical and awkward. Thankfully, once the set-up was done, the action part flowed. Then, the ending was clunky and disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews