An historical novel based on a paragraph from an old newspaper, Doing has infused this story with drama, adventure, and given the men character and charisma. At first I was dismayed by his very long sentences, but as the story developed and the men became real on the page, the writing trimmed up and became the prose I expect from Ivan Doig.

Describing a man who is sparse in his replies to questions: "Words were having their spines snapped there..." This turned out to be a great survival adventure and by the end I couldn't put it down. ( )

Four men escape their Russian-controlled work camp in a stolen canoe: Braaf, Karlsson, Melander, and Wennburg. Courageous, when you consider they started in New Archangel (Sitka), Alaska in the mid-1800s. Herculean, when you add how while paddling their way to Astoria, Oregon they faced rough ocean swells, unrelenting weather, unfamiliar coastal environments, hostile Tlingit Indians, starvation, sheer exhaustion from relentless physical toil, and an instinctual deep distrust of one another. They were not friends before they made their escape. Even though Sea Runners is fictional it is based on a very similar true story of a daring escape. Doig learned of Karl Gronland, Andreas Lyndfast, Karl Wasterholm, and a fourth man who was killed by Indians during the journey. From these actual men sprung the stunning adventure of Braaf, Karlsson, Melander, and Wennburg. You could say the sea was a fifth character as Doig's words makes the ocean come alive with emotion. ( )

Over the years I've throughly enjoyed Ivan Doig's books set in Montana, finding them engrossing and comfortable. A departure for me, this book exhibits the exceptional versatility of the masterful writer Ivan Doig truly is. This story comes alive through fully fleshed out characters, human and natural interactions, and especially the uncompromising narrative and dialogue composition, all pulling the reader into the times, place, and characters of the story.

The book blurb hardly does justice to the story. The storyline one might say is as straightforward as a travelogue, but surprising in its brilliant plotting. A brief foreboding in the opening chapter propels the reader through the story setup and deep into the tempest of the journey, seeking a revealing and possible consequences. It's essentially a story about the courage and frailty of life.

As a reader, this is a story that will truly transport you. If you are a writer and haven't read this story to improve your craft, tsk, tsk. ( )

I just finished this book for the second time, and loved it even better than the first time I read it. Doig's description of the four disparate personalities of the four men is masterful, and his descriptions of the weather, environment, and difficulties equally so. I was really moved by some of the things that happened. Even though some sentences were long or choppy I didn't care; I think they added to the overall feeling of the book. ( )

I think my brain is on vacation— the writing on this was lovely, but I found the story too slow paced for me right now. Fascinating history, even if it makes for poor red-eye flight reading.