Continuing my life-long passion for stories of storms, shipwrecks, and challenges at sea, I knew I had to read this book. And reading it while up north biking in some cold, windy, rainy weather was perfect because nothing gets you out of a bad weather funk than a book about two people stranded at sea.

I wasn’t sure how the author could write this book with authority because obviously she wasn’t there to witness the events that took place over 50 years ago, but her research relied upon many sources: the couple’s original journals, ship’s log, media produced at the time of their rescue, the couple’s own book about their wreck and quest for survival, and various other sources. 

Still, much of it is based on the couple’s own recollection of events where they were the only two present, so it’s hard to know if it’s accurate and true, but Elmhirst  captures the story well, and with her journalism background, offers a level of credibility. 

The gist is that Maurice and Marilyn decide that a life at sea is a lot more interesting than life in England in the early 1970s. After years of studying, sailing, preparing, and provisioning, they set out with no set goal but with a desire to make it to New Zealand. They share responsibilities on the boat, each taking shifts, but Maurice is clearly in charge, obsessive in rechecking every aspect of the boat and the journey. Marilyn is a solid first mate, learns fast, and connects socially with others as they meet fellow travelers.

When a dying whale punctures their boat, it sinks quickly, and they have little time to provision their life raft and dinghy before watching their boat slide below the surface of the Pacific southwest of the Galápagos Islands. With no radio transmission (their choice to sail with none) and no land for thousands of miles to the West (the direction they drift), they are on their own. Days turn to weeks then months. The challenges mount: hunger, thirst, leaks, waves, blistering sun, frigid nights. Marilyn takes charge and Maurice falters. Marriage at sea is one thing on a stable, dry boat and quite another drifting in a raft. Who we become has much to do with our circumstances. I don’t know who or what I’d be in such dire circumstances.

Captivating story in all its gory (sucking blood from fish eyes) and beautiful (a turtle pet and starry skies) details. 

**This was also on Obama’s summer 2025 book list (we’ve read 2 of the same books and a 3rd is on my coffee table)