The Sea Voyage Narrative

The sea has held a special place in literature since the first story was told. The sea voyage narrative can take many forms from the epic to the travelogue to the discovery writings of explorers, and encompass many themes from initiation to immobilization. Robert Foulke, a gifted scholar with decades of seafaring experience, analyses these forms and themes as well as the history of genre and the evolution of its many recurring character types-the jolly tar, the rogue, the stowaway and the greenhorn. With Foulke's guidance, the reader discovers the history and many facets of this great and old style of narrative. It is a form that can simultaneously reflect the harsh realities of life on a vast trackless ocean capable of unimaginable violence and yet also create visions of romance, adventure and profound insights.The SeaVoyage Narrative, is an authoritative and passionate account of one of the great story telling traditions. A chronology of significant events, works and figures from thegenre's history, notes and references and an extensive bibliographic essay with recommended reading round out the volume.