Across the Savage Sea: The First Woman to Row Across the North Atlantic

by Maud Fontenoy

Traces the 2003 journey of Maud Fontenoy, who crossed the Atlantic in a twenty-four-foot-long boat over the course of 117 days, an accomplishment that was challenged by such difficulties as near-freezing water, exhaustion from long hours of rowing, circling sharks, dangerous weather conditions, and dozens of capsizings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventurers, Autobiography, Maritime, Adventure

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice read about an epic ocean adventure with a side of existential questions about what drives humans to pursue dreams that bring them to dangerously close to death

[Joe White · Rating 5 out of 5]

ordered 1/28/10;picked up 2/3/10
overnight read. This was a very condensed version of an Atlantic (North route) crossing. Despite it's short length, I believe it hit all the salient points of weather, hardship, financial backing preparation, number of hours rowed, daily routine, and contemporary communication patterns.
All the northern Atlantic crossings I've read have had to deal with severe weather which leaves the boats as floating coffins that end up making progress by weather wash and drifting. The passengers seem to have a miserable life threatening existence inside the tiny cabins.
Running short of water and food was more evidenced here than in any other crossing book except for the "Puffin". Failure of battery driven water makers seems to afflict most rowers, leaving them in a precarious shortage of fresh water situation. Maud ended up taking extreme measures in combating her short fresh water situation.
Crossing sea lanes through traffic was a larger problem here than what other rowers seem to encounter, particularly on the southern Atlantic routes.
Sea life encounters help to add highlights to these monotony rowing, bad weather tales, and the ones listed here seem to be typical compared to other rowers revelations.
The end of this journey wasn't as organized as planned, and seemed to convey that there was a lot more journalistic activity than surrounds other rower's crossings. This crossing also did not appear to be part of the Woodvale ORS event, even though other rowers were attempting the same crossing route at the same time.
Female authors tend to give their narrations a different more personal elaboration, and seem to hit on more of the physical and housekeeping challenges of ocean rowing. Maud also seemed to include more emotional insights.
Financing issues surrounding fund raising were discussed. I'm hoping in her next book covering the Pacific row that this will be more fully discussed. The financing of these types of endeavors seems to be a mountain that consumes more effort then the actual crossing itself.
The landing issues always seem to be really frenzied. In this case, the destination was arbitrary based on the weather, so several people had to make last minute arrangements in order to provide a finish escort and retrieve the boat. This points out that these rowing attempts really require an organized support group on land in order to be completed successfully.

[Mary E Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maud Fontenoy knew the sea. Her first fifteen years of life were spent living aboard a fifty-one foot staysail schooner with her parents and two brothers. She knew what it meant to be self-sufficient, to weather storms, to acknowledge the sea’s powerful force. But in order to accomplish being the first woman to row across the North Atlantic, she had a host of other skills to learn.

Across the Savage Sea: The First Woman to Row Across the North Atlantic is a remarkable memoir of one woman’s determination to set a record. At the age of 25, she singlehandedly rowed her 24-foot boat, Pilot, from Newfoundland, Canada to LaCoruña, Spain. Although she felt prepared for the journey, Fontenoy realized that nothing could have prepared her for the hardships she endured: personal injuries, life-threatening equipment failure, aching loneliness, back-to-back storms, numbing cold and constant dampness. For four months, the author battled the turbulent sea, experiencing the ocean’s wrath, but also its poetic and beautiful moments.

This book is not for everyone. Many will ask, “Why would anyone want to do such a thing?” But it is an exciting account written by an expert mariner. I have been to sea with my husband on a 40-foot sailboat, have experienced being bashed around by turbulent seas. I cannot imagine doing it alone. But this was Fontenoy’s dream. She wanted to experience a great adventure, all alone, to drive herself to the limits, putting emotions, her body and its potential, to the test. And, she did it.

Five years after her epic North Atlantic crossing, the author established the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, established to raise awareness and educate people, especially young people, about the challenges we face to protect our oceans. To learn more about the author and the foundation, visit http://www.maudfontenoyfondation.com/en/

[SR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about the first woman to cross the northern Atlantic in a rowboat. She endured many hardships.

[Evelyn L]

Had no idea this was even possible and is baffling. Ate this book up in three days.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about an ocean crossing that borders on insanity. It's an endeavor that rivals any I've ever read about. Her first night on the water leaves your mouth open and that easily fuels your interest to read more. The obstacles she faces makes you want to nudge strangers on the bus and have them read a few paragraphs so they can share in your astonishment. Her feat is nothing less than amazing. She makes an Everest expedition look like a walking tour.

[kathi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find the author to be likeable so it was difficult to empathize with her as she struggled in her journey across the Atlantic Ocean. I understand personal challenge and pushing oneself outside of our comfort zone but I have to admit I do not understand the desire to cross the Atlantic in a customized rowboat....i just don't get it.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of a 25 year old French woman facing every disaster that could occur in a small row boat across the North Atlantic.

[William Graney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really an amazing adventure. I read a lot of this genre and this book will stand out in my mind for a long time.

[Marcie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because the journeys are so similar, I was constantly comparing this book to Tori McClure's book A Pearl in the Storm. The writing style of McClure's book appealed to me more.

[Rita Trivette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Love reading books about human struggles.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what gets into people who decide to do such crazy things, but I love to read about how they manage to conquer their fears.

[bookmarkedbusy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story, but needed better editing