Book Review - Living in the Lap of the Gods by Lynn Roach

 

Lynn Roach was born in 1958 in Wales. In the early sixties, his parents took the opportunity to move to Australia as ten-pound poms. After three years, the family returned to Wales. Lynn believes all the traveling at an early age fed his wander lust, this and the tales his grandmother told him about her father, who had been a captain on a sailing ship. 

When Roach leaves school, he is keen to begin his travels, but his parents say he must get a trade. He lands a four-year apprenticeship and works hard to become a qualified toolmaker. Roach expects to be kept on when his apprenticeship ends, but the company decides not to keep on any of the apprentices that year. Roach is now over eighteen and in the perfect position to travel. However, despite all his adventures, it is the sea he yearns for. 

One day he meets up with a friend in the local pub, and a conversation leads to Roach being given a chance to follow his dreams. How does Penelope fit in with his plans? Why did Roach rename his first yacht Seefalke? Furthermore, what happens the first time Seefalke is launched? Read Living in the Lap of the Gods to find answers to these questions and follow Lynn Roach's adventures.

I enjoyed reading Living in the Lap of the Gods. Roach has a thorough knowledge of the subject. I found his experiences fascinating, and they brought back memories of crewing for my grandad in yacht races when I was a teenager. This well-written story has many technical terms but is also an engaging account of a young man's adventures: getting an old wreck seaworthy and then single-handedly traveling the world in it. I liked how the book is written as a ship's log while Roach is at sea, and while on land, it is an account of his travels. You feel Lynn Roach's fear when facing unknown situations and laugh at his humorous approach to life.  

However, I was not too fond of a couple of things about this book. Firstly many pages in the first chapters were taken up with Roach visiting the pub with his friends, always drinking more than he had planned, and always liaising with a barmaid. It became very dull, and I had to stop myself from flicking past these pages in case I missed something interesting. Secondly, in chapter five, a doctor friend of Roaches writes him a handful of prescriptions so he can make up a first aid kit. When the pharmacist discovers Roach's plans, he tells him he does not have to pay as the government can afford it! This is disgraceful, and I hope it is one of the untrue parts of Roach's account!

I recommend Living in the Lap of the Gods to anyone who likes reading memoirs with a travel and adventure theme. It is a fascinating read but has many terminologies to do with yachting, including shipping forecasts. I would not recommend this book to anyone who does not know the subject, as I think they may find all the terminology boring. There is profanity, but sex is only ever hinted at.

I want to give Living in the Lap of the Gods by Lynn Roach 4 out of 5 stars. I have taken a star away due to the dislikes I have mentioned and the fact that although, in the main, this book is edited and proofread well, there are some grammar errors. 

I want to thank Lynn Roach for a copy of Living in the Lap of the Gods in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html