438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea

 438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin

A Book Review by Wendi from the Altona Branch

Genre: Adult Non-Fiction, Biography | Pages: 269 | Stars: 5/5

Tears: 0/5 | Laughs: 1/5 | Mature - Content: 2/5 

Would you recommend this book to someone, why or why not?

Yes, I have recommended this book many times for the fact that it is just so unbelievable, that leaves the mind reeling.

How did the author keep you interested throughout the story?

The book starts off introducing the reader to Salvador, a fisherman living in Mexico, before he was lost at sea. It describes his wild side, his love of drugs and alcohol, his regretful non existent relationship with his daughter and his extreme love for the ocean. He lived and breathed the open sea. What happens next in the story is unfathomable as we go through his harrowing survival story through a raging storm set out to utterly destroy Salvador and his ship mate-a young man named Ezequiel Cordoba, who accompanies him on the trip last minute. The storm's destruction is grim. With no radio contact, and the engine down, they are sitting ducks at the ocean's mercy. Over the next 14 months storms and strong currents would carry them West, deeper into the heart of the Pacific Ocean. It would take sheer will, humor, determination and ingenuity to survive all odds. Salvador shares some of his thoughts throughout the book, this particular one has me thinking "How many of us truly appreciate the joys of a simple tortilla"? My thoughts exactly.. until that is, one can't enjoy a simple tortilla. It's these thoughts that saved him from going over the edge. I was shocked again and again at the many ways Salvador kept his body and mind in tact long enough for the ocean to spit him up onto a remote island. This story is incredible, terrifying and spectacular. 238 days and over 9000 miles lost at sea. A story of resilience and redemption that will leave your jaw hanging. 

Did this book change or challenge any preconceived notions you had about the subject?

There were many thoughts and ideas that Salvador had that I just couldn't grasp or comprehend and provoked me to ask myself "what would I do differently or would I do exactly the same in order to survive"? 

Have you read anything else on this subject by an author with a different viewpoint?

Yes I recently read a book that was similar, not sea related but survival non the less however, the ending is always the same, a heart changed and grown. Surviving trauma is not so much about the event itself, but more so the belief we end up having about ourselves, about other people close to us and the world. It's what happens on the inside that's most important and what we choose to do with it. 

Was there anyone in the story, or a statement made that you disagreed with while reading?

No I didn't disagree with anything that I read.

What did you learn from this book? Did you find the subject interesting?

Yes, I love survival stories, and how against all odds they not only survive, but choose to thrive in the aftermath. These are heroes in my mind.

Did you stop to Google anything while reading this book?

Yes, I was intrigued and wanted to read more articles on this man's rescue.

Were you satisfied with the overall structure of the book, or could improvements be made?

It took a while for me to get used to the writing style. I felt it lacked the flowing narrative but I did get used to it and eventually enjoyed it.

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