A cast of magnetic characters share this little piece of paradise in chaotic harmony, with one character more magnetic and dangerous than the rest—Captain Jay. The island captivates an accidental hero from Middle-America, the Rookie, who arrives in the late 1970s and unwittingly heralds a reluctant populace into modernity. The Rookie’s relationship with Captain Jay will heartbreakingly and hilariously change them both, and the island-forever.
once you’re in the [book’s] dreamy place… you want to stay there
—Michael Garber on Amazon
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A cast of magnetic characters share this little piece of paradise in chaotic harmony, with one character more magnetic and dangerous than the rest—Captain Jay. The island captivates an accidental hero from Middle-America, the Rookie, who arrives in the late 1970s and unwittingly heralds a reluctant populace into modernity. The Rookie’s relationship with Captain Jay will heartbreakingly and hilariously change them both, and the island-forever.
| Published | January 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Imprint | Calumet Editions |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 280 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1960250087 |
| Dimensions | 6 x 0.63 x 9 inches |
I was totally engaged, drawn into the story from the first page. David brings this magical story alive with the many vignettes and characters (and characters they are) he brings to life on every page of the book. I could not put the book down. You won’t be able to either… I promise!
—Stan Kaufman, verified review on Amazon
It’s about a time and place that takes me back to before I ever knew the place but had heard some of the stories from the author’s mouth… If you’ve EVER been to USVI and St John in particular, it’s a must read.
—James M Kirsh, verified review on Amazon
By the time I reached the conclusion, I was fully immersed and was ultimately sad to reach the end. I felt somehow wistful of people in a time and place that I will never experience, at least not as experienced in this story. It made me anxious to learn what will come next in this young man’s life.
—Rebecca St. George, verified review on Amazon
How much does place influence you or more how much does our presence influence a place? We surmise in Mr. Culberson’s adventurous tale that the rise or fall of either can parallel the other. In a sense, we learn, when we take a risk and throw ourselves into the mix change is bound to come. This idea is explored on St. John’s when it was still a “virgin” island and through the captivating, action-packed rapport between Captain Jay and the Rookie.
—BYC Reader on Amazon
This is a book that draws you in slowly but once you’re in the dreamy place it takes you, you want to stay there. We have no idea what will become of our main character, a young neophyte looking for adventure beyond the dreary cornfields of the Midwest. It’s a fun read with a great moral: We can swim with the sharks, as long as we know when to get out of the water. I think it would make a great film.
—Michael Garber, on Amazon
