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A Complex Coast

A Kayak Journey from Vancouver Island to Alaska

by David Norwell

Publisher
Heritage House Publishing
Publication date
May 2023
Subjects
Art, Biology, English: Composition, Creative Writing, Literary Studies; Science
Grade Levels
10 to 12
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781772034493
    Publish Date
    May 2023
    List Price
    $29.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781772034509
    Publish Date
    May 2023
    List Price
    $13.99

Where to buy it

Descriptive Review

Imagine kayaking 1,600 km solo for sixty-six days along a treacherous coastline, living off dried foods and seafood. Facing fierce storms and frigid waters, 24-year-old Norwell took this epic journey over two summers, carrying 15 kg of books! This is an exceptionally captivating, poetic and artistic travelogue, infused with stunning watercolour images and sketches of coastal maps and landscapes, with scientific descriptions of local berries, insects, fish, invertebrates, and seaweeds. His introspective thoughts reveal mature wisdom: “Solitude cultivates authenticity . . . Busy cities create busy minds . . . How do we cultivate an intimate human ecosystem?” Part educational/interpretive, part literary/artistic masterpiece, this book is a must-have for all secondary school libraries. Norwell, a geography graduate, is an author, illustrator, and world traveller.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Brief mention of masturbation and pornography.
Other End Matter: Appendix: endnotes, poetry, travel statistics, Pacific Northwest crossword, note about creating the book, Davidism dictionary, extensive acknowledgements
Images: Colour photographs, Colour illustrations, b&w illustrations, watercolour maps and illustrations
Bibliography: Yes
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

About the author

David Norwell is an author, illustrator, and world traveller. He holds a BSc in Geography from the University of Victoria, and has worked for six seasons conducting biological and geological surveys In BC, Alberta, and the Yukon. His passion is communicating science in a way that accesses the human heart. David has visited thirty-three countries, sailed across the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, trekked over the Himalayas with a kitten, and hitchhiked over two hundred rides. He is dedicated to understanding the human experience and sharing his findings. When not working on books, he is volunteering at schools, studying Buddhism, and practising meditation.

David Norwell's profile page