Books like Outerbridge Reach

Outerbridge Reach is a powerful book that grabbed my attention early and held me to the end. Stone draws his characters beautifully, but is unsparing in documenting their shortcomings. Like Moby Dick, it's a story about a man and a boat, but it's also about a quest. The main character, Owen Browne, has been leading an okay life as a salesman for a yacht company, but is also feeling less connected over time with the various aspects of his life. Suddenly he has a chance to change all of this when the millionaire owner of the company disappears just a few months before he is scheduled to participate in a race around the world. Browne offers to take over, but it becomes soon clear that he's in way over his head.In a second plot line, a respected but cynical movie director, Ron Strickland, has signed a deal to film the race. Strickland is intrigued by Browne's willingness to take over the race and begins to insinuate himself into the lives of Browne, his wife Anne and their fifteen year old daughter in keeping with his cinema verite style. In the first half of the book, the we meet the other men who will be in the race and Browne does his best to prepare for the solo voyage around the world. Browne knows this kind of solo boating is way beyond his experience, but he hopes that he will learn enough before and during the race so that somehow it will all work out. In the second half of the book, the race is on and Browne gets off to a good start in spite of his limited experience. Strickland has entrusted Browne with cameras in order to get additional footage that can be used for the planned documentary. Browne also writes copious notes in the ship's journal. Maybe, just maybe, this trip will truly be a triumph for him at all levels. Back on the mainland, Strickland, Anne and several other observers monitor the race based on radio transmissions, faxes and other communications. The book takes several strange turns as Browne gets deeper into pursuing his dream and also learns hard truths about himself and the technical limitations of his ship and his nautical skills. The worlds of reality, myth and magical thinking entwine as the voyage continues from sea to sea and Browne is pushed to his limits and beyond. In the meantime, Stickland pursues his agenda and is hoping that this documentary will truly be the breakout piece of work that vaults him to the next level with little thought for any collateral damage this might cause within the Browne family. This kind of book requires patience from the reader, but the rewards are rich as Stone spins a powerful story and creates a series of memorable characters who collide and interact in surprising ways.