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Loss and Change
Shanghaied follows a printer from New England in the 1800s who wakes up in a ship’s hold after being drugged and kidnapped, now forced to work aboard the Atalanta. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wrote the first chapter of Shanghaied as an exercise for a writing class in 2004. That chapter sat in a drawer for a long time. I picked it up again after my wife died; after I sold my home and bought my boat and literally sailed away. It became important to me when I realized I was writing about a man stolen from his life when my life felt stolen from me. I didn’t know how either of us was going to make it back from “out there,” from horizons of grief.
Eamon’s story starts out with a terrifying abduction and turns into a journey of acceptance and self-discovery while holding on to his determination to return home. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
We all face loss and change. And finding your way “back” can be a hero or heroine’s journey for anyone. If we are to live our journey, if we are to not-die, it is incumbent upon us to pay attention. And even if we do return, we and the place we have returned to will have (and should have) changed. Time and life go on. And we must learn to be okay with that, with change.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
That the perspective the sea teaches is humility. That we are part of something much larger than ourselves. That beauty is essential. That we can persevere. That love is a quality, not a quantity. That to be anything, living must include everything.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Shanghaied is my first book. While it is a fiction, many of its scenes come from my actual lived experiences. Hopefully, by spinning those experiences into this tale and these characters, the story is about all of us more than about me. If a reader feels “lost at sea,” I hope Eamon’s story will help him/her/them. There are a few characters who have sailed over the horizon beyond Eamon’s story, and I could explore their adventures. Or maybe my experiences could come back to my memoir. But before any of those possibilities, I need to see if I can launch Shanghaied into some success and a future of its own.
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Eamon’s bitterness nearly consumes him, until he finds the beauty of this planet undeniable and essential and joins the brotherhood of the sea. Profoundly changed by a journey filled with perseverance, discovery, and love, what will he find if he makes it home again?
Shanghaied
Shanghaied by Jon Howe presents a riveting tale set in the 1800s, focusing on Eamon, a local printer who unexpectedly finds himself at sea aboard the commercial ship Atalanta. The novel begins with a startling premise: Eamon, along with two other men from his town, is drugged, abducted, and forced into service as part of the ship’s crew. What follows is Eamon’s journey of adaptation, acceptance, and an unwavering determination to return home.
Throughout his voyages on the Atalanta, Eamon encounters a series of harrowing experiences, including a brutal beating, the kindness of strangers, a shipwreck, and the loss of comrades. Each moment offers a fresh lens through which Eamon views the world and himself, painting a vivid portrait of resilience and personal growth. The concept of resilience – the ability to recover from difficulties – is a central theme eloquently explored in the narrative. The author skillfully contrasts characters who succumb to their circumstances against the backdrop of Eamon’s steadfast perseverance, highlighting the transformative power of resilience. Jon Howe’s writing is notable for its meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the realms of historical and nautical knowledge. The narrative is rich with comprehensive descriptions and fluid dialogue, immersing readers in the intricate world of 19th-century merchant vessels. The vivid portrayal of life at sea is balanced with the stark realities of the era’s hardships and challenges. While the book excels in its authentic and contextually appropriate descriptive language, it is worth noting that readers unfamiliar with nautical terminology may find certain sections challenging. However, the author does include an extensive glossary of nautical terms at the back of the book.
Shanghaied stands out for its compelling storytelling and well-crafted characters. It’s a novel that will particularly resonate with enthusiasts of historical fiction and maritime adventures, offering a journey not only across the oceans but through the resilience of the human spirit.
Pages: 277 | ASIN : B0CGHY92J8
LITERARY TITAN 