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Self-Sufficient Campers Experience Life On The Sea

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By MEG WAGNER

Published: January 13, 2008

"68 Knots," by Michael Robert Evans (Tanglewood, $15.95)

In "68 Knots," first-time novelist Michael Robert Evans crafts a story of friendship, betrayal and freedom, blending a plot reminiscent of "Lord of the Flies" with a modern setting.

The novel begins when eight teenagers sign up for "Commodore McKinley's Leadership Cruise," a summer camp aboard a sailboat. The campers are supposed to spend their summer cruising the coast of Maine, learning the ways of the sea and developing character.

But all plans are lost when the camp counselors abandon the ship's demanding and wrathful captain, who commits suicide upon their departure.

The campers find themselves alone at sea on a ship that does not belong to them and without any nautical experience. But rather than go home to a boring summer full of the expected, the teenagers decide to stay onboard, determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.

The crew embarks on a 68-day boating trip, partaking in unforgettable events such as whale rescues, yacht raids and treasure hunts. Romantic relationships bloom onboard, and tensions rise in a power struggle for leadership.

The book is beautifully written, and it quickly switches among various points of view. The author's carefree and whimsical style reflects the youthful freedom of the plot.

The characters are described vividly, and some may annoy the reader, especially the power-hungry aspiring businessman or the overly religious teen. But all of the eight crewmates come alive, so it is easy to identify with at least one of the contrasting personalities onboard.

The complex "68 Knots" has something for every reader: romance, action, comedy and life lessons.

Meg Wagner is a junior at Chamberlain High School.

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