Seafaring Tales
One thing about recovering from walking pneumonia is the down time I need to rest and recuperate. I can’t complain too much about having to take it slow these days since it means I’m getting caught up on my classics list.
I’m not sure why, but I seem to be on a sea theme binge.
First I read Captains Courageous, and then I moved on to Life of Pi, and finally finished up Billy Budd. I’m slogging through an abridged version of Robinson Crusoe. Maybe someone out there has a clue why I am so drawn to the ocean. Maybe having a fever made me want to be cool and refreshed by ocean breezes and be buoyed in my troubled time? Since I am on a roll, I am up for any ocean going suggestions for reads.
I teach my AP students the art of micro-precis, which means they have to summarize the plot in one sentence. Let’s see if I can practice what I teach:
Captains Courageous: rich brat gets fished out of the ocean and learns how to be a decent human being by hook and not crook via a Troop of fine men sailing on the We’re Here.
Life of Pi: A boy finds himself a reluctant Noah as he endeavors to survive an epic journey with a tiger.
Billy Budd: Handsome sailor “Baby” Budd hits upon the wrong way to get promoted and leaves the readers hanging as to the unfairness of the justice system.
Robinson Crusoe: TGIF takes on a whole new meaning as one man figures out Dad might have been right about remaining at home and not be so anxious about seeing the sea
Okay, they’re bad, but then I didn’t plan on turning these in for a grade.
Oh, and please don’t suggest Moby Dick. Once is more than enough for that whale of a tale.