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1842 A maritime saga

Bosun’s memories take us to many places…

Bosun, whose name is Ulf Kleivik, is well into his nineties, living in a small wooden house north of the Arctic circle. He finds a “penman,” a writer, to turn Kleivik’s journals into his life’s story.

So begins Gary Karlsen’s fictional account of a Norwegian seafarer.

Eric W. Sager, Member of the History Department at the University of Victoria from 1983 to 2016

Before I read Gary Karlsen’s No Ordinary Seaman, I had the notion of Britannia Rules the Waves firmly planted in my mind, but now it is clear to me that Norway, not Britain, clearly ruled the waves in the 1960s.

Birgit, Delta, BC

Laughed like hell

Just like when I read No Ordinary Seaman, with Bosun: The Mariner’s Journals,

I laughed like hell … cracked up … Laughed like hell again!

Then as if that wasn’t enough, you asked me at the very end to imagine what the Stupid People Mirror was!

Dr. Terry Anderson, Ontario, CA

I keep the book on my boat and I read it when I’m fishing and someone is watching my rod. The ambiance of being on the water is just right for reading this most enjoyable book.

Dr Tsuyuki, Vacouver

As I read this I am hearing Gary’s voice, and I am laughing out loud.

Bruce, Vacouver

The read was fulfilling

The read was fulfilling, with a mix of humour and envy at a real-life adventure.   You managed to make this reader review my youth with a longing to go back and find my own journey of discovery. If only! Even your blog about the book signing. What a great read!  Go on some other giant journey and keep writing, you had me at hello.

Tom, Seattle, WA

In reading Bosun: The Mariner’s Journls, I developed a strong sense of the overall Norwegian character as the story progresses, particularly as it relates to family and the relationship to the sea.

Lorne Mitchell, Toronto, ON

No Ordinary Seaman is a good read whether with a cocktail at the International Hotel in DC or over a cup of java at home in Surrey.

Cees, Washington, DC

I re-read the last few chapters a couple of times. Oh, the storm and the aftermath! What an experience! To tell you the truth, your book is one of those that I wished did not end. As the number of pages got fewer, I thought, “Oh no, not many pages left.”

AB John Weber, Duncan, BC

No Ordinary Seaman is a book you have to keep reading!

The book is a great read. It is well-written and brings back memories of my sailing days. The situations described are so realistic of days gone by.

A van Beek, Ireland

A fun and entertaining memoir

This memoir extremely enjoyable with its humour

Before I read Gary Karlsen’s No Ordinary Seaman, I had the notion of Britannia Rules the Waves firmly planted in my mind, but now it is clear to me that Norway, not Britain, clearly ruled the waves in the 1960s. I find this memoir extremely enjoyable with its humour, information, and above all the tales of mostly warm personal relationships under trying and isolating circumstances. Also, this dyed-in-the-wool landlubber appreciates the extensive glossary helping me understand what is what on a ship. Gary’s rich seafaring experiences allow me to live vicariously (and safely) and being in awe of his tolerance for the many mundane ship chores not to mention my deep admiration for his calmness and bravery in the face of dangerous seas. As well, I love his Coleridge quotations making me rush back to re-read “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, a poem I taught for years to my Literature 12 students. This is truly a fun and entertaining memoir well worth a read.

Birgit Rytter, No Ordinary Seaman – soft cover edition April 16, 2018

You wish the journey would never end

The author masters the particular as well as the broader view in his description of the life of an “ordinary seaman”

As a young man, I was a deckhand aboard Mercandia, a Danish merchant coaster. Reading this book brought me back to those seafaring days. In No Ordinary Seaman, the author identifies the special relationships amongst crew members and how the Norwegian culture of the 60s and 70s was reflected in daily life on board two ships. Descriptions of the various duties of deck crew and the division of roles between them and their officers provide further insight, into ship-based harmony, comradery and rivalry. You will enjoy an insight into how shore leave impacts crew members who are separated from both women and alcohol. And you will find an honest and fascinating picture of a young man’s growing maturity and his relationships with others. The author masters the particular as well as the broader view in his description of the life of an “ordinary seaman”. When you read this book you are aboard, and you wish the journey would never end. Enjoy.

Finn Ovesen, No Ordinary Seaman – soft cover edition April 16, 2018

I have not read a book for years but now after reading No Ordinary Seaman, I am reading again. While reading your book, Gary, I fell in love with some of your characters. I laughed and I cried.

Karen, New Westminster, BC

I’m two chapters in and hooked!

Crystal, Richmond, BC

One of my top 10 books

No Ordinary Seaman is one of my top ten reads. I’ve read the book three times! Each chapter can stand alone. Even the ships were characters. How often can you find that in a book?

Nick Harvey, Surrey, BC

Brought me to tears

I’m spending a great time with Bosun, enjoying my voyage with him. The King Haakon’s Medal Ceremony chapter brought tears to my eyes.

Paul Maltais, CinéFête, Montreal, PQ

Gary is a wonderful storyteller. Highly recommend you get a copy!

Bill, Richmond, BC

Hi Gary, I just touched down in Terrace. I got a few stares as I chuckled about the arrival of Typhoon Bobby. This is among the most enjoyable books I have ever read.

Will, Nanaimo, BC

I finished your amazing book last week and enjoyed every chapter. I wish you could have heard my laughing, reading about all your experiences.

Bea, Burlington, Ontario

Putting myself in your shoes was remarkable

When I was reading No Ordinary Seaman I had to stop asking myself, if this was ‘the factual situation’ or your form of ‘creative non-fiction’. Instead I went with the unfolding story allowing my fascination to flow and my amazement to carry me to wondering about “if this were me…” Putting myself in your shoes was remarkable because I could not “go there” except as a bystander with your book in my hand.

Cathy Goss, No Ordinary Seaman: A Memoir April 16, 2018

Fascinating! Well-written!

I don’t always read as much as I’d like to, but No Ordinary Seaman was something that I looked forward to and I’m not sure if I have ever related to a book that way before. I always took the book to the beach with me. I would often stop and look out into the ocean and just get a mental picture of what it could be like.

Dave, White Rock, BC

Thank you for publishing your memoir. It was a great read and I was reluctant to finish it. It drew me in. Every night I looked forward to learning what you were going to experience next. It was educational, funny, scary, captivating, and touching, and it gave me a lot of insight into the person you were then and are now.

Frances Galea, Hamilton, Ontario