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Atlantic Circle
Kathryn Lasky, a midwesterner descended from a long line of recently arrived Russian Jews, married Christopher Knight, a sailor descended from a long line of Grand Banks fishermen and Nantucket whaling captains. Neither fully understood what they were getting into.
As a wedding present they were given a thirty-foot ketch, and as they began their honeymoon on Leucothea, Kathryn had a lovely vision of island hopping in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Chris, however, was a voyager, and what began as an idyllic honeymoon extended into an Atlantic crossing, three years of sailing in Europe, and a long voyage home. Ten years and one child later, the voyage was finished, the Atlantic circle completed. And the marriage was still going.
Of all the accounts of blue water sail boat cruising, this stands apart. Kathryn did not become a "salt." She remains baffled about a bowline and a mortal enemy of the gimbaled alcohol stove - Her account is a wonderful breath of fresh air; a welcome sound of laughter, and a frank look at life afloat. It is also the story of a marriage, of self-discovery, and of understanding of what a voyage truly means. She says it is unromantic, and yet it is romantic in its look at sailing and what it meant to two very different people and their marriage.
As a wedding present they were given a thirty-foot ketch, and as they began their honeymoon on Leucothea, Kathryn had a lovely vision of island hopping in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Chris, however, was a voyager, and what began as an idyllic honeymoon extended into an Atlantic crossing, three years of sailing in Europe, and a long voyage home. Ten years and one child later, the voyage was finished, the Atlantic circle completed. And the marriage was still going.
Of all the accounts of blue water sail boat cruising, this stands apart. Kathryn did not become a "salt." She remains baffled about a bowline and a mortal enemy of the gimbaled alcohol stove - Her account is a wonderful breath of fresh air; a welcome sound of laughter, and a frank look at life afloat. It is also the story of a marriage, of self-discovery, and of understanding of what a voyage truly means. She says it is unromantic, and yet it is romantic in its look at sailing and what it meant to two very different people and their marriage.
222 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 20, 2016
Found this book in the "Free" bin at the Key Largo library. Picked it because it reflected the address of the place we're renting - 158 Atlantic Circle Drive. Turns out that the author has ties to the North Shore and Cambridge. Fun read.
July 20, 2021
Fabulous. I am re-reading this for the umpteenth time. I bought it when it came out in the '80's and have returned to it numerous times. Kathy Lasky has a way with words tossing in literary references to fit the situations beautifully. From her days writing about fashion in Town & Country, to this self-deprecating tale that follows her unintended sailing life with a her sailor husband, it's pure joy to journey along her stream of reminiscences. Her way with words is unparalleled.
January 4, 2026
How to love sailing without loving sailing
A charming book about food and life and, oh yes, sailing. It bares the real discomfort, confusion, and fear while showing the emerging pleasures of cruising life. Not enough to make me want to try it, but enough to believe that it can be enjoyable without being over-romanticized.
A charming book about food and life and, oh yes, sailing. It bares the real discomfort, confusion, and fear while showing the emerging pleasures of cruising life. Not enough to make me want to try it, but enough to believe that it can be enjoyable without being over-romanticized.
August 20, 2020
Not too far from the end of the book I quit reading. I’ll readily admit that I read sailing books for the sailing, so this wasn’t that good a fit for me. I also prefer a different use of language when I read a book, different than the author presented in this offering at least. I doubt I’ll be looking for more by Ms K Lasky Knight when I search for more things to read, though if you enjoy a more calmly paced approach to language when reading this book might well be one you enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews