Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 8, 1992 TAG: 9203080286
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: F-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Reviewed by SIDNEY BARRITT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
Kenneth Grahame had the Water Rat say that in "Wind In the Willows." The Water Rat was right and Louis Rubin knows it better than most.
As a boy, more than 50 years ago, Rubin discovered what a magical experience building and piloting a boat could be. In his case, this was on the Ashley River at Charleston, S.C. In one form or another, his romance with boats endured a lifetime's calm and stormy days afloat. Now, in retirement of sorts, he sets out to have his ideal boat built, just suited to his needs. He takes lessons from all those boats owned before, and discards what experience has taught him is worthless.
He holds to the stern lessons that the sea teaches.
Part way through the book, I realized how much I was enjoying it and wondered why. As I read the next chapter, I realized how well-constructed the piece was. Words fit together like the planks of a boat. Sentences were fashioned into paragraphs with care. Digressions always returned to the main theme. Allusions to literary boats and old experiences bolstered the theme.
I turned to the dust jacket and discovered that, among other accomplishments, Louis Rubin established the creative writing program at Hollins College (and this book page). Aha! No wonder the book flows so smoothly and its construction lured me on like the Siren.
Like the boat builders in this tale, Rubin has created something that those with an admiration for fine craftsmanship can admire.
Take a literary voyage on this ship if you lack a real boat to call your own.
Sidney Barritt is a Roanoke physician.
by CNB