REVIEWS
A FEW OF THE MANY REVIEWS OF THE VOYAGER BOOKS - Please scroll down to the one of your choice:
DOLPHINS UNDER MY BED
A 'sticky book'. I couldn't put it down.
Cruising Magazine UK, by Susan M
“Dolphins Under My Bed” is a book that is appropriate for a wide audience. People who might particularly relate are those who sail, those who travel often to smaller, more out of the way locations, and those hoping to do something incredibly interesting in their retirement. This is not to say that these are the only people who would enjoy this book. I, personally, fall into none of these categories and yet I very much enjoyed the book. Perhaps a sequel?
Reader Views USA, by Jen Cardwell
Lovely, lovely book.
Amazon Reader, Water gypsy
I really like her writing style. Good read for anyone who sails, wants to sail or is just looking for an enjoyable travel read.
Amazon Reader, Crystal L
I can’t emphasize enough how well Clayton writes — her prose is so vivid that the reader is left with indelible images. My reaction on finishing the book was a fervent hope that it's only the first of a series detailing the adventures of Voyager and her crew.
Living Aboard Magazine USA, by Ray Aldridge
Dolphins under my Bed would appeal to both experienced boaters and those who have never been on the water. It is free of complicated or technical terminology and is a most charming read.
The RNLI Lifeboat Magazine UK, by Carol Waterkeyn
… a wonderful eye for surroundings and scenery and a nice sense of comedy. The description of Sandra wrestling with the Velcro of her foul-weather gear is self-deprecating and comic.
PODBRAM, by Celia Hayes
The author's superb storytelling style and perceptive descriptions hook readers. Well worth reading, for sailors and armchair adventurers as well.
Good Old Boat Magazine USA, by Susan Lynn Kingsburry
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TURTLES IN OUR WAKE
This sequel to the popular Dolphins Under My Bed is the saga of a middle-aged British couple who sell up and set sail to the Mediterranean. Clayton is a gifted writer and keen observer of events; her ability to see the humor even in everyday situations will keep you laughing, while her sensitive, evocative descriptions of people, places, and nature will captivate you. We can only hope that the next leg of the journey will be chronicled in another superb book.
Cruising World Magazine USA, by Lynda Morris Childress
A perfect book for summer days spent dreaming of adventure. Clayton writes beautifully. She captures the exquisite peace at the heart of realizing your dreams but with a frisson of the reality of sailing: the fear when storms overtake a boat, or when caught in a net out in the big black sea with nowhere to go for help.
Amazon Reader, Grace
Sail around the world without leaving your bed. I absolutely loved Sandra Clayton's writing.
Amazon Reader Carol Spode
Sandra is a wonderful writer and descriptions of life aboard Voyager are filled with richness. She is self-deprecating and has a magnificent sense of humor, telling often laugh-out-loud vignettes of cruising life. We can only hope that Sandra continues to share her stories with the rest of us.
Good Old Boat Magazine USA, by James Williams
Everything in this story rang true. Non-sailors would not be put off. This is a very approachable book, an easy read. It is centred on sailing but not obsessed by it. All told so well you could have been there yourself.
Cruising Association Magazine UK, by Toby Harris
Usually I don’t review sequels, no matter how good they are. But Sandra Clayton is such a fine writer that I couldn’t resist. I could have picked any of a hundred excerpts to illustrate the flavor of Clayton’s wonderful observations, but I chose this one:
‘I wonder sometimes if I ever really looked at things before. On land there are so many distractions. Alone on an empty sea the eye looks longer and with a more concentrated gaze on whatever turns up. The very absence of stimuli most of the time makes any appearance, when it does come, so much more vivid; whether it is unexpected, like the sudden arrival of turtles, or anticipated, like the return of the sun after a dark night.’
It seems to me that this book is an unusually vivid appearance.
Living Aboard Magazine USA, by Ray Aldridge
This book is a delight. A perfect choice for both the armchair traveller and the true globe-trotter. Whether you have always dreamed of sailing away or you never intend to leave your chair, go along with Sandra and David as they experience the excitement (and yes, there is a little terror, too) of life at sea. The author has a lovely, easy way of writing that just invites you in and keeps you turning pages. Her sparks of humor are wonderful. I am so looking forward to the third book!
Tome Traveller, by Carey Anderson
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A THOUSAND MILES FROM ANYWHERE
The easy-going style that made the previous book ‘Turtles in Our Wake’ so enjoyable is present here throughout her story of the journey from the Canary Islands to Cape Verde, the Caribbean and ultimately America. There are magical descriptions of events at sea, (and) I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of places that I had also visited. This is ideal holiday literature: there is an eye for detail, a good deal of social comment and enough to interest the sailor without putting off the uninitiated.
Cruising Magazine UK, by Toby Harris
I feel like I've just been on an adventure. The descriptions Sandra used are so vivid I could picture it all. This book made me start thinking about my own retirement - even though it's a long way off. I've read three of her books now and can't wait to see where they go next.
Amazon Reader Kylie S
Great true life adventure book. As I was reading it, I was there with them experiencing their trials, tribulations and joys. Sandra's whole series of 'sailing escape' books take one into a world most of us can only imagine and dream about!
Amazon Reader Ian Mackelden
Great read, loved it and feel like I have been there.
Amazon Reader Paul Masureik
Sandra Clayton writes superbly. You don't realise how well until you surprise yourself by practically finishing the book in one go. She writes in such a straightforward and descriptive manner that you go with the flow.
Amazon Reader S.R. Ballantyne
At times readers will imagine that they are on the journey with the Claytons, right there in the cockpit, onboard Voyager (as they) experience numerous encounters with creatures of the sea.
Included in the book are charts of the journey, information on the Beaufort Wind Force Scale and a glossary of terms for non-sailors. These additions make A Thousand Miles From Anywhere an appealing read for sailors, armchair sailors, and novices.
Good Old Boat Magazine USA, by Susan Lynn Kingsburry
Clayton has attracted a loyal readership with her eloquent writing about everyday life aboard, nature, and the people and places she and her husband encountered along the way. Her honest opinions and razor-sharp commentary continue.
Cruising World USA by Lynda Morris Childress
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OSPREY SUMMER
This is travel writing at its best. Sandra writes with wit and charm. What the reader is treated to is a taste of a country steeped in history, with a back drop of southern courtesy and that almost uniquely American generosity shown by the people that they meet.
Cruising Magazine UK, by James Parnell
This latest book, the fourth in the series, is another winner. Clayton’s wry sense of humor and evocative prose shed new light on America’s waterways. Slices of everyday cruising life are interwoven with local history and folklore, lyrical descriptions of flora and fauna, and candid observations on people and places in the U.S. of A. …a must-read for anyone contemplating a trip up or down the ICW -- or for anyone who simply dreams about it.
Cruising World Magazine USA, by Lynda Morris Childress
Exploring the East Coast of America - via waterways that include rivers, canals, and swamps - Sandra's British perspective allows readers to see America through a different prism in a way that make readers feel they are right there with her.
Good Old Boat Magazine USA, by Susan Lynn Kingsburry
I have all four of the books so far and can't wait for the next to come out. Hurry up, I'm 83 and you have the rest of the world to explore yet.
Amazon Reader R M Daley
I loved it. I've read all of Sandra's books and for me this is the best. Thank you, Sandra! Roll on the follow-up. Amazon Reader Ian Mackelden
Can't get enough of Sandra Clayton’s books.
Amazon Reader Scott Robertson
Well written with humour and astute observations. Clayton researches the history of the places she visits thoroughly as well as paints vivid descriptions of the landscape and characters she encounters on the way. I really felt I was traveling with her and I enjoyed the voyage.
Amazon Reader duncan wood
… a fascinating insight into cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River ... an area of contrasts from small towns and villages to anchoring in the nation's capital. ... a most enjoyable read.
Little Ship Club Magazine UK, by Deborah Wheeler
Voyager takes us to the heart of America’s coastal cities as well as tranquil anchorages that seem far from civilisation. Clayton delivers insights into both the history and the natural beauty of the land from an outsider’s perspective.
Ocean Cruising Club UK, by DOB
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ISLANDS IN A CIRCLE SEA
Superb story-telling and perceptive descriptions hooked me and off I went. She’s also clearly done her research and weaves it effectively into histories of the places she visited. Islands in a Circle Sea is a fitting title for the conclusion in the series, as here the Claytons return home, exactly four years after the beginning their voyage. There is ample, astute reflection in here from someone who has traveled 23,137 nautical miles and visited 19 countries. Someone who has gone full circle.
Good Old Boat Magazine USA, by Susan Lynn Kingsburry
It is well written and full of interesting historical snapshots of the areas visited and is amusing and easy to read. The book is full of interesting learning points, confirming things such as the awareness of time zones, understanding the tides and experiences crossing an ocean in a small boat. Lots of stories and anecdotes, this would suit both sailors and those who like to read about places they may never visit.
Cruising Magazine UK, by Sue Long
Some great descriptive prose and plenty of technical detail of what is involved in sailing and navigating a catamaran, excellent stuff.
Amazon Reader Laurence Gibson
Have read all the books from Sandra Clayton, find them entertaining and great to read about so many different places. Will there be any more in the future?
Amazon Reader Carol Dennett
I've been waiting impatiently for Sandra to write another book in the 'Voyager' series and as with her previous books this one did not disappoint! A great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Amazon Reader Shell Sails
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ABEL SEAMAN (For the Young Reader)
This is a fun adventure which explores themes about nature, our environment and also the relationships between people and nature. My daughter is also at the age where she is discovering the meaning of cause and effect, in particular our interaction with nature.
The rhythm and tempo of the writing kept my daughter interested and her shared love of sea life kept her engaged. This book was reviewed during a long trip to the airport and I was happy about how much my 9-year-old daughter had remembered.
Amazon Reader Neville Connor
I am a children's librarian and I read a lot of books. I liked the themes of the book about ocean conservation, and not dumping your trash in the sea. I liked about the boy's independence. I liked all the exposure to the animals and Abel being the hero, saving animals from accidents they had with trash (six pack rings, plastic forks etc). If you are a 3rd grade reader all the technical details that bothered me probably won't bother them. They will get lost in the story!!
Goodreads, Alice
Sandra is an experienced sailor and author of the Voyager series of adult/sailing travel books. Close to her heart, having seen so much first hand, is the harm done to marine wildlife. Consequently, her story for children aged 9-12 is an adventure with a strong environmental theme. Abel sets out to reunite Dad with Mum, meeting turtles, whales and dolphins, battling high seas and plastic. A message in a book indeed.
Devon Life Magazine