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The Passenger

How a Travel Writer Learned to Love Cruises & Other Lies from a Sinking Ship
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( 897 ratings, 140 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
_In The Passenger_ by Chaney Kwak, the author captures a harrowing experience aboard a failing cruise ship during a massive storm. As the precarious situation unfolds, Kwak not only navigates survival at sea but also embarks on a reflective journey, confronting both personal and existential challenges. Through vivid storytelling, the book offers a dramatic blend of adventure and introspection, set against the backdrop of an unfolding maritime crisis.
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Format: Hardback
$3999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by real-life voyages and the unexpected challenges that arise during travel. It offers an engaging narrative that combines personal reflections with the tensions of an unfolding crisis on a luxury cruise, maintaining a perfect balance of humour and insight.

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"In March 2019, the Viking Sky cruise ship was struck by a bomb cyclone in the Arctic Sea. Rocked by 50-foot swells and 40-knot gales, the ship lost power and began to drift straight toward the notoriously dangerous Hustadvika coast in Norway. This is the ... story by one passenger who contemplated death aboard that ship."--Publisher's description.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

"Beautifully written and astutely observed. This is a marvellous book."
Washington Post

"For fans of The Perfect Storm, In the Heart of the Sea, and Bill Bryson on his sassiest days."
Afar Travel Magazine and Guide

Aboard a sinking cruise ship, a journalist faces death and reconsiders life. "If you're looking for a great read, look no further than The Passenger." - San Francisco Examiner

In March 2019, the Viking Sky cruise ship was struck by a bomb cyclone in the North Atlantic. Rocked by 50-foot swells and 40-knot gales, the ship lost power and began to drift straight toward the notoriously dangerous Hustadvika coast in Norway. This is the suspenseful, harrowing, funny, touching story by one passenger who contemplated death aboard that ship.

Chaney Kwak is a travel writer used to all sorts of mishaps on the road, but this is a first even for him: trapped on the battered cruise ship, he stuffs his passport into his underwear just in case his body has to be identified. As the massive cruise ship sways in surging waves, Kwak holds on and watches news of the impending disaster unfold on Twitter, where the cruise ship's nearly 1,400 passengers are showered with "thoughts and prayers." Kwak uses his twenty-seven hours aboard the teetering ship to examine his family history, maritime tragedies, and the failing relationship back on shore with a man he's loved for nearly two decades: the Viking Sky, he realises, may not be the only sinking ship he needs to escape.

The Passenger takes readers for an unforgettable journey from the Norwegian coast to the South China Sea, from post-WWII Korea to pandemic-struck San Francisco. Kwak weaves his personal experience into events spanning decades and continents to explore the serendipity and the relationships that move usβ€”perfect for readers who love to discover world travel through the eyes of a perceptive and witty observer.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Passenger by Chaney Kwak is praised for its beautifully written narrative and astute observations. It combines elements of adventure and dark humour, offering an intense and personal story that transcends typical travel memoirs. The book is considered a gripping and poignant tale of survival, interweaving personal reflection with maritime history and modern adventure. Readers appreciate its candid exploration of life's choices and relationships, all while being an action-packed and page-turning read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781567926972

Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher Inc

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 July 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: David R. Godine Publisher Inc

Illustration: Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 120.0mm

Height: 190.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 160

About the Author

Chaney Kwak has been traversing the globe for more than a decade to write about food and travel. His work appears regularly in newspapers such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as magazines such as CondΓ© Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, and Travel & Leisure. Mr. Kwak teachesΒ nonfiction writing at theΒ StanfordΒ Continuing Studies program andΒ lives in San Francisco.

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