A Perfect Tale

The Perfect Storm:  A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger

Nonfiction

I knew this was going to be an incredible read because I got choked up during the forward!  This is such a perfect example of a master writer at work.  While I knew absolutely nothing about a fisherman's lifestyle, commercial fishing or even that area of the country, Junger wrote in in such a way that made me feel as if I breathed the same salt air as those men in the book.

"The Perfect Storm" is a meteorological event that happened in October 1991 when a combination of three weather phenomena combined to create one super storm--a storm that seemed like something only Hollywood could dream up.  The narrative tale centers around the boat The Andrea Gail and its six crew members.  While no one will ever really know what happened to them, Junger creates the most likely ending through interviews, radio transmissions, weather reports and tales from people on other boats who did survive.

The book very closely matches the movie (I just re-watched it the other night) but this is the only example I can think of where one type of media actually enhances the other.  I am not heavy on sea lingo so the visual experience was helpful and Junger's writing really brings the tragedy home.  It is a tale that is tragic, thrilling and, ultimately, heart-breaking.