Subject
Canoes and canoeing -- Fiction Books
Best books
Sewell Peaslee Wright
Trial by water
"Trial by water by Sewell Peaslee Wright" is a pulp adventure short story written in the late 1920s. The tale uses a hazardous river passage as a crucible to test love and loyalty, focusing on jealousy, courage, and betrayal. Jean Baptiste Chabrier, a quiet northern bushman, guides a canoe through the Assin-nebah rapids with his wife, Charlotte, and their guest, Les Walters, a charming sawyer who has won Charlotte’s attention. Sensing her wavering heart, Jean deliberately wrecks the canoe at the safer end of the rapids to force a revealing crisis. In the churning water Charlotte turns to Les, who panics, strikes her away, and scrambles for shore, leaving her to drown. Jean, having seen enough—especially the cut on her cheek from Les’s ring—rescues her and brings her to land. The “trial by water” leaves a scar as a lasting reminder and delivers its verdict: Les’s cowardice is exposed, Charlotte’s misplaced faith is corrected, and Jean’s stern test decides the triangle’s fate.
Charles G. D. Roberts
Around the Camp-fire
"Around the Camp-fire" by Charles G. D. Roberts is a collection of outdoor adventure stories written in the late 19th century. The book focuses on a group of canoeists embarking on a journey into the wilderness of New Brunswick, where they encounter various wildlife and engage in story-telling around the campfire. The camaraderie of the main characters—Stranion, Magnus, Queerman, Sam, Ranolf, and the narrator—underscores the themes of friendship and adventure. The opening of the book introduces the six canoeists as they escape the summer heat of Fredericton in search of the wilderness. They prepare for their journey to the Squatooks with details of their canoeing gear and the route they plan to take. On their first night camping near the Madawaska River, the group shares stories, with Stranion recounting a particularly harrowing childhood encounter with a panther at the parsonage, showcasing the blend of humor, suspense, and the natural beauty that will permeate their adventures. As they settle in for the night, each character contributes to the storytelling tradition by sharing tales of their past experiences in the wild, setting the tone for the narratives that will follow in the subsequent chapters.
Ray Cummings
The soul of Henry Jones
"The Soul of Henry Jones" by Ray Cummings is a novella written in the early 20th century. This story explores themes of self-awareness and the desire for deeper emotional connections as experienced by the protagonist, Henry Jones. It chronicles his journey of self-discovery and emotional awakening in the context of his mundane life and marital relationships. The narrative begins with Henry Jones feeling an inner emptiness and a yearning for more beyond the confines of his everyday existence. This leads him to meet Elsie Morton, a young woman who ignites a passion within him and encourages him to explore new experiences, like canoeing. As their relationship develops, Henry oscillates between his mundane life with his wife, Martha, and the excitement of his budding connection with Elsie. Ultimately, he realizes that happiness comes from embracing both love and the responsibilities that come with marriage, leading to a profound transformation in his perspective on life and relationships.
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