Painting: The Great Wave off the Coast of Kanagawa by Hokusai
For 2023, we’re organizing the entire year around books that deal thematically with the Sea.
The goal is to bring the books into an ongoing conversation around the meaning and nature of the Sea, also weaving in theology and the Bible’s portrayal of the Sea.
So far, we’ve covered these novels.
The Sea Wolf
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
The Odyssey
Here’s our second set...
May - Sea of Tranquility
Sea of Tranquility isn’t a technical “sea story,” since the Sea of Tranquility is a portion of the moon’s surface where Apollo 11 landed. It was dubbed this title because many believed it was a once sea that long ago dried up.
It may not have swashbuckling pirates or sailing adventures, but it still deals with the sea symbolically in a significant way.
Over the past year, Mandel has quickly become one of my favorite living authors. If you’ve never read anything by her, this is the perfect place to start. If you have, this’ll make whatever you read before better.
June - Treasure Island
Then we’re diving into a story that’s all about swashbuckling pirates.
Treasure Island is a fantastic novel all about a kid doing his best who’s caught up in some crazy circumstances. The Wicked Long John Silver. The Desperate Search for Treasure. A Mutinous Band of Pirates in Disguise.
This book has all the adventure you could want, and it packs it into a nice short read to kick off your summer.
July - Jaws
The classic movie first originated as a novel. Its relevancy to sea stories goes without saying.
Plus, the entire novel is set around a 4th of July celebration that must go on, despite the recent, disturbing activity that’s been haunting the beaches. So, if you’re looking for a great July, look no further than Jaws.
It’s the perfect mid-summer read, that encourages you to enjoy some classic cinema as well.
Until next time, enjoy your reading!
-Trevor