Audio Book Review: The Curve Of Time by M. Wylie Blanchet

This is a delightful listening pleasure.
The Curve of Time
by M. Wylie Blanchet
Narrated by: Heather Henderson

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:06-17-14
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press Inc.
Program Type: Audiobook
Genre: Memoir
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
At a time when Vancouver Island was still an extremely remote and sparsely populated backwater, a young widow packed her five children into a 25-foot boat dubbed The Caprice and set off on an adventure. Summer after summer the brave young mother, who became known as "Capi," would set sail and explore the rugged coastline for months with her young crew. Although the hazards the family faced were numerous-tides, fog, storms, rapids, cougars, and even grizzlies-Capi brought them through it all. The Curve of Time is Capi's poignant, thoughtful, and poetic recollection of these days.This classic coastal tale has been a bestseller since it was first published in 1961. That was also the year of the author's death. In print continuously since it's original publication, this is the first time it has been made available in audio.
©1961 The Estate of M. Wylie Blanchet (P)2014 Post Hypnotic Press Inc.

Review:
This is a sharing of personal experiences of a young widow who is boating with five children as they explore the remote areas of the rugged Vancouver coast. The author adds some history tidbits along the way as well as the summer adventures. The stories are natural, often charming and humorous. It is extra special as this is set in 1927 so their explorations tend to be true adventures of a more primitive time and setting. Most visits and encounters with strangers, even native Indians, are safe and friendly. They make friends and share time with loners and couples in remote areas. Then again, there are natural dangers too in the form of bears and cougars.

The tales share the events of the young family during their summer vacations and include, at the end, a sweet returning home to their “Little House” on Vancouver Island. The chapters represent separate events and adventures in no particular order of time. The stories include lovely descriptions of the rugged, beautiful and sometimes eerie landscaping, including visits to abandoned tribal villages and burial grounds. There are also some lovely moments of poetic observance.

I particularly enjoyed this experience because my family did a lot of boating when I was a teenager. My experiences were with more modern boats in the Bahamas but we still had similar adventures. We met strangers who became friends and had times when we faced the dangers of shark infested waters and were stranded by engine failures.

This is a book that shouldn't be limited to boaters although that is a large part of the entertainment. This is a lovely, enjoyable family journal with adventures that could be shared with children as well as adults. I have recommended it to my daughter to listen to with my grandchildren, ages 3 to 10. It is perfect for vacation listening as it tells of summer explorations but it doesn’t have to be limited to summer. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys tales of family time adventuring and especially those who might enjoy the excitement of boating in sometimes tight and danger places. Although there is a bit of an old fashioned tone the stories are timeless in the nature of remembering family adventures.

Audio Notes: I found the narration by Heather Henderson to be spot on for the nature of the story. The pacing and inflections fit the circumstances being described. She is able to portray the experiences with a gentle and natural presentation. I am sure that the book is good in print but the audio is a delightful, easy listen.  You can find some comments from Ms. Henderson and lovely images from the family at her own blog: http://heatherannehenderson.com/2014/07/04/a-narrators-joy-the-curve-of-time/

I received this audio download from Post Hypnotic Press for and honest review.