Wild Geese Calling

by Stewart Edward White

Great, heartbreaking tale about a young man and his bride and their journey to Alaska by sea, as well as about many interesting men and women they meet along the way...

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1940

About the author

From about 1900 until about 1922, he wrote fiction and non-fiction about adventure and travel, with an emphasis on natural history and outdoor living. Starting in 1922, he and his wife Elizabeth "Betty" Grant White wrote numerous books they claimed were received through channelling with spirits. They also wrote of their travels around the state of California. White died in Hillsborough, California.

Reviews

[Jack Thibault · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending!!!!! Was mostly a chill and comfortable and reflective and slightly nostalgic read that I really came to appreciate by the end and then wham those beautiful scenes at the end. So many great images. John rowing with sally after Harry. John steering the Tillicium through the storm. Chilkat! Sally and the protector of the wilderness. Their honeymoon. The lumber town. And my god John’s run in with Kelly. Wow. And Annabelle! Don’t forget ol’ Len! There are too many to name. There are so many moments flying through my head.

I just really came to love the characters and the second half of the book was really such a pleasure to read. And so many funny moments.

I like how the book was about John and then it became about Sally. Because she is so much more interesting during the down time. I loved how she would feel the world and get caught up in subtleties the men would never understand. Haha.

My great grandfather had this for book club and the first page has his name and the date 1950. I asked for classic books people like for Christmas and this was the only one my grandad made comment on. “I really liked reading that one… I’m not sure why.” Usually he reads sci fi and hardly says a word so I knew this book would be special. It did really remind me of him in many sweet ways and it makes sense that he would like it, even though there are no space ships. Beautiful book. Made my eyes well up with happy tears at the end.

[C_Kayaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and since I live in SE Alaska, recognize many of the place/people descriptions, even though the names have been changed. This is historical fiction... loosely based on the life of C.R. Johnstone (and wife) who moved his family to a remote location outside of Ketchikan in the early 1900's. Written much in the same style as Zane Grey novels, with great descriptions of nature and people. Came across this title when reading forward to Threes A Crew.

[Julie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was on my parents' bookshelf & I read it about age 13. The descriptions shaped my sense of Akaska & the Pacific Northwest, & I'm remembering it today as we drive north along the coast of British Columbia.

[Mark S H · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my grandmothers books. It is dated but still an enjoyable read.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a young man and his bride and their trek into Alaska by sea and the many colorful men and women they met along the way. A wonderful fun-filled adventureous read.

[Jenny Donier]

this is a great book about a young newly wed couple that takes on the Alaskan Wilderness and how they got there and the colorful and salty characters they encounter along the way.

[Meleah]

(early 1900's, a married couple buys a boat and sails to Alaska from their Seattle home)