Passage to Juneau

A Sea and Its Meanings

By: Jonathan Raban

Narrated by: Jonathan Raban

Acclaimed travel writer Jonathan Raban invites us aboard his boat, a floating cottage cluttered with books, curling manuscripts, and dead ballpoint pens. He's about to sail alone from Seattle to the Alaskan Panhandle, following an ancient sea route rich in history, riddles, and whirlpools. It's the perfect setting for Raban's prodigious intellect, eloquence, and eye for detail.

Passage to Juneau is not a travel thriller; the trip is hazardous, but that's not the point. Instead, Raban takes us on a journey of contemplation, literature, lore, mythology, and science. We learn about the canoe culture of the Northwest Indians; the British ship Discovery, which traveled the same route in 1792; and the physics of waves and turbulence, to name just a few of his far-ranging topics. And, as Raban finds himself in ominously personal waters (his father's illness, his own marriage, the daughter he left behind) it's also a journey of the heart.

©1999 Jonathan Raban

Critic reviews

"A compelling meditation courses beneath the surface commotion of the book as Raban seeks solace (and himself) in the movement of the sea with its deadheads, whirlpools, unpredictable tides, submerged mountains, and stony shores capped with evergreen wool." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent

highly recommended!
Lovers of literature will be charmed.
As will lovers of NW land and sea_scapes.

A Masterpiece of Travel Writing

I read, or rather listened to this masterpiece because Paul Theroux, whom I greatly admire, recommended Rabin his favorite travel writer. Pretty hard to find a higher compliment.

Raban himself narrates/performs this piece, and he is really the perfect narrator. [Some of Raban's other 'audible' works are narrated by so-called 'professionals', but these professionals are not nearly as good as Raban himself.]

This is perfect travel writing on several levels. I cannot think how it could be improved. The story of his own solo sail up the US-Canadian west coast, from Seattle to Juneau is juxtaposed with his accurate and fascinating recounting of a similar trip by the 18th century British explorer, George Vancouver. It ends with a very sad Raban family tragedy.

Great literature, and particularly engaging for those who enjoy sailing and the sea ... just very good literature. A masterpiece in my book..

More Please

What made the experience of listening to Passage to Juneau the most enjoyable?

Jonathan Raban attempts to follow the same route than Captain George Vancouver weaving his own adventures in with the rich history of that expedition and area. I had no idea and therefore taken for granted, how Vancouver Canada got its name. I learned a lot listening to this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Passage to Juneau?

The personification of Captain Vancouver. Though not the most popular or charismatic, I really got a sense of the man and it made me curious to find out more about him.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where Raban comes across a breaching Killer Whale while alone at sea. Paraphrasing; He says something along the lines like "When you're on a tour it's exciting. When you're alone it's terrifying"

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The only "extreme" reaction is that it made me more curious about the region. I had picked this up just after a week long cruise of the inside passage and now I can't wait to go back armed with what I know from this book.

Any additional comments?

It's really a shame that this is the only book by Jonathan Raban on audible. And abridged at that. His rich British baritone and his use of voices makes him one of the better author-narrators.

Wonderful

Wonderful account of the inside passage. Fascinating history of Captain Vancouver’s explorations. Brought many familiar places to mind.

Beautiful informative

I wish all books describing travel into historical places described the landscape and people interacted with like this love book did.