Scan barcode
malikasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
A truly excellent yarn - funny, sincere, and a window into a different world.
My uncle Alexander has always been a great storyteller, but his power is in dialogue. The patois is thick but still clear, and his description of body language and tone make the conversations come alive in my mind.
What strikes me most are the stories of our family, not often talked about. Raw and true stories of pain and loss are interesting coming from a stranger but too acute in my own house.
My uncle Alexander has always been a great storyteller, but his power is in dialogue. The patois is thick but still clear, and his description of body language and tone make the conversations come alive in my mind.
What strikes me most are the stories of our family, not often talked about. Raw and true stories of pain and loss are interesting coming from a stranger but too acute in my own house.
catgv's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free hardcover copy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to Alexander Watson, author of River Queens!*
Introduction:
I was kindly approached and offered a hardcover copy of River Queens by the author, Alexander Watson. He was lucky this year I discovered a love for memoirs and mostly travel memoirs, otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up. But his story, what of two men sailing the coasts of America in a boat no less, intrigued me.
I can tell you it also didn't disappoint. Reading this book brought me great pleasure as well as smiles and laughter. I hope my review entices you to give this fun ride a try.
Let's sail!
The Blurb:
The river—any river—is another planet, with its own language, rules, and culture. River Queens is a story of the unlikeliest of fellows (and a dog) coming to the river—and what happens to them once they arrive. At first glance, it seems to be a how-to manual for any adventuresome (but perhaps foolhardy) type who’s ever thought of restoring a wooden yacht and sailing it halfway across the country. Second glance, however, shows that it’s a classic travel narrative in which two intrepid (but perhaps foolhardy) explorers head out to tour what is usually called “a distant, alien world.”
To Alexander Watson and his partner, Dale Harris, the river is as exotic as any foreign locale they’d previously traversed. There is danger, of course—unpredictable nature, lurking water hazards, quickly rising human squalls—but the initial difficulty is language: can they become fluent in the argot of harbormasters, helmsmen, navigators, and the various deck hands, skippers, and swabbies?
The Positive Sides:
The most striking point of River Queens is how the author's voice flows and it's beautiful. It's charming, and it feels natural, like I'm right beside him and his partner during the purchase of the boat and their adventures. He's honest and raw but not mean. I often found myself thinking similar thoughts as I read his story.
There's something equally important: Watson reflects the people's speech singularities so well you can hear them in your mind and picture them easily! It might be hard to read sometimes due to some people talking really loosely, but it's amazing to see he reproduces these ways of talking so faithfully. I felt as I was meeting them myself. Besides their speeches, Watson puts the people he encounters (good and bad) on the forefront of his adventures, including his partner Dale and himself, too. It was beautiful to read and except for Frances Mayes's memoirs about Italy, I never felt so attached to real people in a book.
Moreover, learning about boats was interesting and informative. The author would tell us about the hull, how to see if there's leakage, water charges and more. Plus, he even included a glossary at the end! Priceless.
Speaking of him and Dale, I really enjoy their conversations, which makes the reading much more amusing (it even made me laugh out loud!) and so much more natural. It also shows how close they are and how well they know each other, which is adorable (and quite funny, too). The care they put into their boat (a wooden one, mind you as it's very important here) and each other. It was lovely.
The intertwined chapters of Alexander and his mother were a good addition. It explains a lot of things about how he thinks and acts. Mostly the "don't let things or events slip you by" mantra she said to him (paraphrased here by yours truly), which is something I stand by.
Something stood out personally: I see myself in him so much! I mean, Watson's got quite the flaming temper, just like I do (though he's got better comebacks, darn!) and it makes him even more charming and lovable to me.
As for their adventures: what a nice ride! All those places, all the small disasters that happened, the great descriptions and encounters they have! All keep you along for the ride. It was great to see America explored from the perspective of two men (and a sweet dog) aboard their own boat. Seriously, I loved it!
Last, I particularly enjoyed the short chapters and the formatting and layout. One chapter is even divided such as "Sightseeing: (what they saw and did)", then it's "Cooking: (how they found and cooked food)", and so on. It's visually interesting and a nice change of pace.
The Negative Sides:
All books have flaws and despite River Queens's great points, I've found a few that could be improved.
For starters, the transitions are slightly brusque, which confused me. I needed to read a few sentences twice. But it's not extremely bad nor is it overflowing with such brusque transitions. It's just annoying when it happens.
What's the biggest bad point? Well, this book is advertised as a travel memoir (I'm not saying it's wrong here), but it took about 50 pages of closing the deal for ownership of the boat and repairing it. Afterwards, it took the same number of pages before they finally set sail (it's at about 107 pages). In my opinion, a third of the book is a bit too long of an introduction to what the blurb seemed to say was a discovery of America's coasts from two men in a saucy boat (with a beautiful dalmatian, too!)
In Conclusion:
What do I take out from this read? Amazing voice, strikingly natural dialogues (it's like hearing your neighbour talking!), and an amusing experience on the whole!
It was always a pleasure to pick up this book and resume reading, falling into Watson and Dale's boat world and meeting these new people. I recommend this book to anyone interested in travel, memoirs, true stories, exploration, and those who just want to have a genuinely good time! I give River Queens: Saucy boat, stout mates, spotted dog, America a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for how lovely, entertaining and engrossing this book is.
As a note, I will keep this book in my own bookshelf as I will surely reread it down my lifetime. It was worthwhile and I know I'll want to share the author's story again by reading it. Such a great journey and personality!
Introduction:
I was kindly approached and offered a hardcover copy of River Queens by the author, Alexander Watson. He was lucky this year I discovered a love for memoirs and mostly travel memoirs, otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up. But his story, what of two men sailing the coasts of America in a boat no less, intrigued me.
I can tell you it also didn't disappoint. Reading this book brought me great pleasure as well as smiles and laughter. I hope my review entices you to give this fun ride a try.
Let's sail!
The Blurb:
The river—any river—is another planet, with its own language, rules, and culture. River Queens is a story of the unlikeliest of fellows (and a dog) coming to the river—and what happens to them once they arrive. At first glance, it seems to be a how-to manual for any adventuresome (but perhaps foolhardy) type who’s ever thought of restoring a wooden yacht and sailing it halfway across the country. Second glance, however, shows that it’s a classic travel narrative in which two intrepid (but perhaps foolhardy) explorers head out to tour what is usually called “a distant, alien world.”
To Alexander Watson and his partner, Dale Harris, the river is as exotic as any foreign locale they’d previously traversed. There is danger, of course—unpredictable nature, lurking water hazards, quickly rising human squalls—but the initial difficulty is language: can they become fluent in the argot of harbormasters, helmsmen, navigators, and the various deck hands, skippers, and swabbies?
The Positive Sides:
The most striking point of River Queens is how the author's voice flows and it's beautiful. It's charming, and it feels natural, like I'm right beside him and his partner during the purchase of the boat and their adventures. He's honest and raw but not mean. I often found myself thinking similar thoughts as I read his story.
There's something equally important: Watson reflects the people's speech singularities so well you can hear them in your mind and picture them easily! It might be hard to read sometimes due to some people talking really loosely, but it's amazing to see he reproduces these ways of talking so faithfully. I felt as I was meeting them myself. Besides their speeches, Watson puts the people he encounters (good and bad) on the forefront of his adventures, including his partner Dale and himself, too. It was beautiful to read and except for Frances Mayes's memoirs about Italy, I never felt so attached to real people in a book.
Moreover, learning about boats was interesting and informative. The author would tell us about the hull, how to see if there's leakage, water charges and more. Plus, he even included a glossary at the end! Priceless.
Speaking of him and Dale, I really enjoy their conversations, which makes the reading much more amusing (it even made me laugh out loud!) and so much more natural. It also shows how close they are and how well they know each other, which is adorable (and quite funny, too). The care they put into their boat (a wooden one, mind you as it's very important here) and each other. It was lovely.
The intertwined chapters of Alexander and his mother were a good addition. It explains a lot of things about how he thinks and acts. Mostly the "don't let things or events slip you by" mantra she said to him (paraphrased here by yours truly), which is something I stand by.
Something stood out personally: I see myself in him so much! I mean, Watson's got quite the flaming temper, just like I do (though he's got better comebacks, darn!) and it makes him even more charming and lovable to me.
As for their adventures: what a nice ride! All those places, all the small disasters that happened, the great descriptions and encounters they have! All keep you along for the ride. It was great to see America explored from the perspective of two men (and a sweet dog) aboard their own boat. Seriously, I loved it!
Last, I particularly enjoyed the short chapters and the formatting and layout. One chapter is even divided such as "Sightseeing: (what they saw and did)", then it's "Cooking: (how they found and cooked food)", and so on. It's visually interesting and a nice change of pace.
The Negative Sides:
All books have flaws and despite River Queens's great points, I've found a few that could be improved.
For starters, the transitions are slightly brusque, which confused me. I needed to read a few sentences twice. But it's not extremely bad nor is it overflowing with such brusque transitions. It's just annoying when it happens.
What's the biggest bad point? Well, this book is advertised as a travel memoir (I'm not saying it's wrong here), but it took about 50 pages of closing the deal for ownership of the boat and repairing it. Afterwards, it took the same number of pages before they finally set sail (it's at about 107 pages). In my opinion, a third of the book is a bit too long of an introduction to what the blurb seemed to say was a discovery of America's coasts from two men in a saucy boat (with a beautiful dalmatian, too!)
In Conclusion:
What do I take out from this read? Amazing voice, strikingly natural dialogues (it's like hearing your neighbour talking!), and an amusing experience on the whole!
It was always a pleasure to pick up this book and resume reading, falling into Watson and Dale's boat world and meeting these new people. I recommend this book to anyone interested in travel, memoirs, true stories, exploration, and those who just want to have a genuinely good time! I give River Queens: Saucy boat, stout mates, spotted dog, America a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for how lovely, entertaining and engrossing this book is.
As a note, I will keep this book in my own bookshelf as I will surely reread it down my lifetime. It was worthwhile and I know I'll want to share the author's story again by reading it. Such a great journey and personality!
lilaclicoricetissie's review against another edition
5.0
When Alexander contacted me and asked me to review River Queens, my first reaction was ‘Uh. But I don’t know anything about boats!’.
No, that’s a lie. My first reaction was ‘Yay, new book!’, the blink-blink omg how am I supposed to review this one when I know, like, zilch about boats? came next.
320 pages and some time later, I’m glad I didn’t let that detail put a damper on my enthusiasm. RQ is a pretty cool memoir
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
No, that’s a lie. My first reaction was ‘Yay, new book!’, the blink-blink omg how am I supposed to review this one when I know, like, zilch about boats? came next.
320 pages and some time later, I’m glad I didn’t let that detail put a damper on my enthusiasm. RQ is a pretty cool memoir
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
5.0
So, it's safe to say that memoirs are way outside my wheelhouse, but there was just something about River Queens that piqued my interest. The very idea of just hopping on a boat and traveling the river brings to mind the days of taking a leisurely drive with the family or a walk around the neighborhood, seeing what you can see. It certainly takes me back a few years to when everyone waved or greeted in passing; it made me a bit nostalgic.
Now, on with River Queens. I'll say again that I don't typically read memoirs, but that's the thing - I didn't really feel like I was reading a memoir. Alexander Watson is without a doubt a talented storyteller. I was thoroughly caught up in the journey, the colorful characters these men meet along the way, and the places and sights they found as they traveled. There's even a map to follow their route, and I loved that they ventured up around my neck of the woods.
I try to step outside the box and explore new to me genres as often as I can. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't - this one definitely worked out. I don't know if I'll pick up another memoir anytime soon, but I'm sure glad I read this one. So, if you're looking for something different or just looking for a good book to fall into, I'd suggest this one.
Now, on with River Queens. I'll say again that I don't typically read memoirs, but that's the thing - I didn't really feel like I was reading a memoir. Alexander Watson is without a doubt a talented storyteller. I was thoroughly caught up in the journey, the colorful characters these men meet along the way, and the places and sights they found as they traveled. There's even a map to follow their route, and I loved that they ventured up around my neck of the woods.
I try to step outside the box and explore new to me genres as often as I can. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't - this one definitely worked out. I don't know if I'll pick up another memoir anytime soon, but I'm sure glad I read this one. So, if you're looking for something different or just looking for a good book to fall into, I'd suggest this one.
rosecityreader's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a while to get to River Queens and I am so glad I finally did. What a delight! It's the memoir of Watson's adventure restoring an old wooden Chris-Craft boat he and his partner bought in Oklahoma and sailed back to Cincinnati, Ohio. It's a charmingly quixotic story of adventure, mishap, and the romance of river life. The real heart of the book lies in how Alexander and Dale, two urban, gay, landlubbers-turned-river-captains, are adopted by the community of small town and rural "river people" they meet along their inland journey. In these divisive times when it sometimes seems like no one gets along, it is nice to read a book and realize that people are really nicer than we remember.
jdreads92's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I'd like to start by thanking the author, Alexander Watson, for sending me a copy of his memoir, River Queens, in exchange for an honest review. I'm glad that I was sent this book, because I'm not sure that I would have picked it up otherwise, and it was worth the read.
River Queens follows Alexander and his partner, Dale Harris, through the process of purchasing and restoring a boat and sailing it from Lake Texoma (outside Dallas, Texas) to Cincinnati, Ohio. In many ways, Watson and Harris figure out boating as they go; and it is an arduous experience. The couple's bravery struck me. They are two gay men boating through the deep south and Midwest, so often relying on locals for advice, directions, and a helping hand. I was struck, too, at how well they fared. Sure, they faced homophobia, but it wasn't the terrifying disaster I would have anticipated.
The people Watson and Harris meet along the way are mostly honest, kind, helpful, and earnest. Almost all are local, life-long boaters, and most are happy to have met Watson and Harris. I would have liked to learn a bit more about Watson's and Harris's pasts. The reader gets a few snapshots along the way, but it doesn't feel like enough. Ultimately, there was probably too much ground to cover. In any case, getting a glimpse into the ups and downs of river life felt like an adventure. I can't imagine not thinking of this memoir whenever I see a boat.
(full review at jdreads.com)
I'd like to start by thanking the author, Alexander Watson, for sending me a copy of his memoir, River Queens, in exchange for an honest review. I'm glad that I was sent this book, because I'm not sure that I would have picked it up otherwise, and it was worth the read.
River Queens follows Alexander and his partner, Dale Harris, through the process of purchasing and restoring a boat and sailing it from Lake Texoma (outside Dallas, Texas) to Cincinnati, Ohio. In many ways, Watson and Harris figure out boating as they go; and it is an arduous experience. The couple's bravery struck me. They are two gay men boating through the deep south and Midwest, so often relying on locals for advice, directions, and a helping hand. I was struck, too, at how well they fared. Sure, they faced homophobia, but it wasn't the terrifying disaster I would have anticipated.
The people Watson and Harris meet along the way are mostly honest, kind, helpful, and earnest. Almost all are local, life-long boaters, and most are happy to have met Watson and Harris. I would have liked to learn a bit more about Watson's and Harris's pasts. The reader gets a few snapshots along the way, but it doesn't feel like enough. Ultimately, there was probably too much ground to cover. In any case, getting a glimpse into the ups and downs of river life felt like an adventure. I can't imagine not thinking of this memoir whenever I see a boat.
(full review at jdreads.com)
toastx2's review against another edition
5.0
River Queens: Keeping good company with Huck and Hemingway
“A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into,” is one of thousands of sayings that denies the truth which every sailor respects: a boat is conduct into a hostile environment. Water is a hostile environment. Seafarers are so afraid of it that we make jokes about running aground, catching fire, and blowing up; accidents happen. But that danger is the bond that holds together otherwise free-spirited individuals into one cohesive lot.
- River Queens
Based on a review copy of the book, I was pleased that my initial impressions were shallow. Initial thoughts (after reading the leaf notes alone) were a presented heavy handedness, calling hail to the great American novel as many small publications aspire every year. Determining what I was actually to be reading required cracking the first page and just taking it on directly. The title of the book, ‘River Queens: Saucy boat, stout mates, spotted dog, America’ supported a potential hyperbolic wreck and presented a feeling of ‘sarcastic voting-season nationalism on a paddle boat ride’.
The sarcasm was gratefully imagined (unfortunately, so was the paddleboat) and this memoir very much matches the description of ‘great American novel’. It only took two pages to hit quotable text and distinctly beautiful descriptions. Now I love the title.
The memoir ‘River Queens’ conversationally journals the experience of hard labor for the love of ideal alone. Alexander Watson (author) and Dale Harris, partners in love and business, set aside their investments and purchase a brokedown 1950’s wooden Chris-Craft yacht, found listing (and heeling) in a backwater marina. At risk of loss due to flooding, rot and lack of maintenance, Alex and Dale put in the work and start their journey toward being respectable ‘Riverfolk’.
The book follows the entire process, from boat purchase and restoration, to travelling the Ohio River (among others), and a revival of technology minimalist conversation. The only real intent of the author being to go someplace and enjoy the journey getting there. The experience of the reader is to float alongside and enjoy the ridealong.
The cast of characters is VIBRANT and the effort applied to capture the nuance and dialect of the individuals is nothing short of amazing. I want to know these folk and smoke (unlit) cigarettes while chatting with them. It is easy to imagine swatting mosquitos and listening to stories under the stars; to see where predjudice will reside, but may be set aside because shared values are more important than closed doors.
It takes bastardly guts to saddle the living creature that is ‘water’ and expect it to care for you as much as you it. I wouldn’t do it. Books are as close as I want to ever get to drowning and creatures nibbling on my corpse. With that said, this book needs to be sold and promoted between copies of other daring tales like Huck Finn (for the river, coveralls, and narrative) and Hemingway’s “To Have and Have Not” (for the utter financial dispair communities feel and adventure of tackling the unsurmountable).
Unfortunately, I expect many people and media outlets are going to purchase/discuss this book for many of the wrong reasons. Two men on a boat and the title conjure up a misleading stereotype which the author might have to battle in order for people to depart perception and embrace the narration.
In photography, text, and I assume reality- neither Alex nor Dale are what reader may have preconcieved as ‘River Queens’.
- Salty nouveau veterans of the river life? Yes.
- Staunch and emotionally present men with muddy river water in their veins? Absolutely.
- Stereotypes? Anything but.
“A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into,” is one of thousands of sayings that denies the truth which every sailor respects: a boat is conduct into a hostile environment. Water is a hostile environment. Seafarers are so afraid of it that we make jokes about running aground, catching fire, and blowing up; accidents happen. But that danger is the bond that holds together otherwise free-spirited individuals into one cohesive lot.
- River Queens
Based on a review copy of the book, I was pleased that my initial impressions were shallow. Initial thoughts (after reading the leaf notes alone) were a presented heavy handedness, calling hail to the great American novel as many small publications aspire every year. Determining what I was actually to be reading required cracking the first page and just taking it on directly. The title of the book, ‘River Queens: Saucy boat, stout mates, spotted dog, America’ supported a potential hyperbolic wreck and presented a feeling of ‘sarcastic voting-season nationalism on a paddle boat ride’.
The sarcasm was gratefully imagined (unfortunately, so was the paddleboat) and this memoir very much matches the description of ‘great American novel’. It only took two pages to hit quotable text and distinctly beautiful descriptions. Now I love the title.
The memoir ‘River Queens’ conversationally journals the experience of hard labor for the love of ideal alone. Alexander Watson (author) and Dale Harris, partners in love and business, set aside their investments and purchase a brokedown 1950’s wooden Chris-Craft yacht, found listing (and heeling) in a backwater marina. At risk of loss due to flooding, rot and lack of maintenance, Alex and Dale put in the work and start their journey toward being respectable ‘Riverfolk’.
The book follows the entire process, from boat purchase and restoration, to travelling the Ohio River (among others), and a revival of technology minimalist conversation. The only real intent of the author being to go someplace and enjoy the journey getting there. The experience of the reader is to float alongside and enjoy the ridealong.
The cast of characters is VIBRANT and the effort applied to capture the nuance and dialect of the individuals is nothing short of amazing. I want to know these folk and smoke (unlit) cigarettes while chatting with them. It is easy to imagine swatting mosquitos and listening to stories under the stars; to see where predjudice will reside, but may be set aside because shared values are more important than closed doors.
It takes bastardly guts to saddle the living creature that is ‘water’ and expect it to care for you as much as you it. I wouldn’t do it. Books are as close as I want to ever get to drowning and creatures nibbling on my corpse. With that said, this book needs to be sold and promoted between copies of other daring tales like Huck Finn (for the river, coveralls, and narrative) and Hemingway’s “To Have and Have Not” (for the utter financial dispair communities feel and adventure of tackling the unsurmountable).
Unfortunately, I expect many people and media outlets are going to purchase/discuss this book for many of the wrong reasons. Two men on a boat and the title conjure up a misleading stereotype which the author might have to battle in order for people to depart perception and embrace the narration.
In photography, text, and I assume reality- neither Alex nor Dale are what reader may have preconcieved as ‘River Queens’.
- Salty nouveau veterans of the river life? Yes.
- Staunch and emotionally present men with muddy river water in their veins? Absolutely.
- Stereotypes? Anything but.
mreadsbooksnfics's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleased by this book when I delved in because it was a type of memoir I have not read before. I tend to enjoy causal ones, but I have never read a travel one. This story hooked me from the start, a not perfect boat and a trip on the rivers of America. That caught my attention, and I was able to get lost in the story. This book was great because it was a look into a boat trip down the river, casual and slow, making new friends and seeing a small part of America. It reminds me of the walks I would take with my grandma when I was small to see the world, in a languid but still interesting way.
This is the story of Alexander Watson, Dale Harris, the amazing dog Doris Faye, and the one and only boat, Betty Jane. These men can restore houses, but a boat is a other completely With a lot of help, they get the boat restored and head out on their river journey.
This book is good because it is real. Alexander does not shy away from sharing his feelings and telling about how the boat restoration can be tough on a relationship, but he still works hard to restore the boat with his partner and I liked seeing the reality of love and life told through the eyes of author.
But this book is not about them, it is about the journey. Once they are out on the rivers, they meet a lot of people. These people are depicted very well in the book, and they create a colorful cast one can not help but enjoy. It made me even want to take a trip to meet the more interesting people the world has to offer. And I don’t really like even leaving my house, so that says a lot about how evocative this writing is.
The map was awesome to see where they had gone, I liked that visual since I am very bad at geography.
This is an amazing memoir, and I enjoyed every moment. I learned about why I will never buy a boat, but I also learned about the value of taking the time to see the world with those you love.
Thank you so much to the author for a review copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the story of Alexander Watson, Dale Harris, the amazing dog Doris Faye, and the one and only boat, Betty Jane. These men can restore houses, but a boat is a other completely With a lot of help, they get the boat restored and head out on their river journey.
This book is good because it is real. Alexander does not shy away from sharing his feelings and telling about how the boat restoration can be tough on a relationship, but he still works hard to restore the boat with his partner and I liked seeing the reality of love and life told through the eyes of author.
But this book is not about them, it is about the journey. Once they are out on the rivers, they meet a lot of people. These people are depicted very well in the book, and they create a colorful cast one can not help but enjoy. It made me even want to take a trip to meet the more interesting people the world has to offer. And I don’t really like even leaving my house, so that says a lot about how evocative this writing is.
The map was awesome to see where they had gone, I liked that visual since I am very bad at geography.
This is an amazing memoir, and I enjoyed every moment. I learned about why I will never buy a boat, but I also learned about the value of taking the time to see the world with those you love.
Thank you so much to the author for a review copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
writeramyshannon's review against another edition
4.0
Grand adventure
Life took the author and his partner in a direction they never planned on, but it was a grand adventure, indeed. Through travel and the love they have for each other, the couple took on new adventures in life. I enjoyed reading about their excursion and journeys. The story is written in present tense which adds to its charm. It brings the reader along the journey with Dale and Alexander. There is a part that sticks with me, and it's just something that Dale says to his mother. "Home is where Alexander is." I found this story inviting, and well told.
Life took the author and his partner in a direction they never planned on, but it was a grand adventure, indeed. Through travel and the love they have for each other, the couple took on new adventures in life. I enjoyed reading about their excursion and journeys. The story is written in present tense which adds to its charm. It brings the reader along the journey with Dale and Alexander. There is a part that sticks with me, and it's just something that Dale says to his mother. "Home is where Alexander is." I found this story inviting, and well told.
thequeerbookish's review against another edition
5.0
(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)
Review: I know less than nothing about boats and I enjoyed River Queens very much. So if you're a lover of boats you may be blown away by this book.
One of the things that I love about being a book blogger is the chance to discover non mainstream books. I don't think River Queens would have appeared on any recommendations list for me because the main theme is not one I usually read. I do enjoy the occasional memoir or two but only of people I know and like. So even if it would have popped up I don't know if I would have read it.
Luckily Alexander found my blog and saw it worthy to review River Queens. Luckily I trusted my gut feeling of "hey that's something new for me, let's try it!". So here I am being very moved by a spotted dog and two men that I don't know but for the review mails.
My grandfather owned a boat, named after his first-born grandchild (that would be me btw), and that's everything that connects me to boats. But you don't need a connection to boats to enjoy this book. You don't even need an open mind for the LGBTQIA+ community (I judge you harshly if you're not open-minded though!)
River Queens reads like a classic, one that my teacher could have chosen for class. It's written rather down-to-earth but it manages to transport humour, curiosity, and grief in a way that it felt at times like my own emotions.
The last two years America's image has been a bad one - at times very bad - and I have wondered time and time again why friends of mine don't pack up and leave the country. I'm still wondering about this and if the social system of the US doesn't change I'll never stop wondering about this, but now I'm back to seeing the people as well. River Queens shows a different kind of mankind than the news and for that I am grateful.
Last Words: If you're just a bit curious about adventure, about taking a chance on what you dream of, read River Queens.
Disclaimer: I got the book for free through the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Review: I know less than nothing about boats and I enjoyed River Queens very much. So if you're a lover of boats you may be blown away by this book.
One of the things that I love about being a book blogger is the chance to discover non mainstream books. I don't think River Queens would have appeared on any recommendations list for me because the main theme is not one I usually read. I do enjoy the occasional memoir or two but only of people I know and like. So even if it would have popped up I don't know if I would have read it.
Luckily Alexander found my blog and saw it worthy to review River Queens. Luckily I trusted my gut feeling of "hey that's something new for me, let's try it!". So here I am being very moved by a spotted dog and two men that I don't know but for the review mails.
My grandfather owned a boat, named after his first-born grandchild (that would be me btw), and that's everything that connects me to boats. But you don't need a connection to boats to enjoy this book. You don't even need an open mind for the LGBTQIA+ community (I judge you harshly if you're not open-minded though!)
River Queens reads like a classic, one that my teacher could have chosen for class. It's written rather down-to-earth but it manages to transport humour, curiosity, and grief in a way that it felt at times like my own emotions.
The last two years America's image has been a bad one - at times very bad - and I have wondered time and time again why friends of mine don't pack up and leave the country. I'm still wondering about this and if the social system of the US doesn't change I'll never stop wondering about this, but now I'm back to seeing the people as well. River Queens shows a different kind of mankind than the news and for that I am grateful.
Last Words: If you're just a bit curious about adventure, about taking a chance on what you dream of, read River Queens.
Disclaimer: I got the book for free through the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.