River Queens by Alexander Watson

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River Queens: Saucy boat, stout mates, spotted dog, America by Alexander Watson

River Queens by Alexander WatsonStars: ***

Orange Frazer Press (2018)
Travel/Memoir
320 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Summary: Two men and a spotted dog restore a vintage Chris-Craft motor yacht and launch across the American Heartland from Texas to Ohio. The restoration, the people they met along the way, and life in an America which few know exists are the story of River Queens: Saucy boat, stout mates, spotted dog, America.

River Queens

If you enjoy travel memoirs and/or love or are interested in boating than you will really enjoy this book.

I don’t normally read travel memoirs and I don’t care for boating but I thought I’d give it a try. I figured maybe I’d learn about boating. The book is well written and talks not just about the boat but about all the unusual people Alex and his partner Dale met along the way. I was shocked to read about some of the negative comments and attitudes regarding their relationship in some parts of the states. I didn’t realize there was still so much discrimination.

Be warned that there is a LOT of boat talk, usually with terms I didn’t understand. The back had a glossary but I didn’t know it was there till I finished the book. If you love boats or want to know more, this won’t be a problem. But if you are expecting more talk about the places and people and only a little about the boat, I just wanted you to be aware.

I have to say I have a new appreciation for what it takes to fully restore a boat and sail it along the river. I had no idea the undertaking. Every time the guys had something under control, something else stopped working or otherwise caused a problem. You can get a look at the inside of the boat on their website.

So you may be wondering why I rated it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5. For someone like me, it’s 3 stars because it didn’t grip my interest like some books and make me want to keep reading. I lost interest in the boat talk but enjoyed the talk about people and places more. Also there were a few times that the language became vulgar (swear words and vulgar words for gay people) and I don’t like that. As I said though, someone who enjoys travel memoirs and books about boating may find it a 4 or 5 star book.

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About Kathleen

I've been a nonfiction lover for as long as I can remember. I love children's nonfiction as well and love to share my knowledge and the books I gained them from, with the world. I wish more people would give nonfiction a chance.