WIND ON THE SOUNDS

A woman braves the ocean—and her past—in a daring yacht race around Vancouver Island in Wyatt’s novel.

Rebecca Dunbar has always played it safe. But when Brac, a student in the evening history class she teaches, suggests she join the land crew for the Van Isle 360 yacht race around Vancouver Island, Rebecca dives right in. All she has to do is follow the boats on land, carrying extra sails and spare boat parts; no big deal. But just a few days before the race, a member of the boating crew has to drop out due to a medical emergency, and Rebecca is chosen as the sub despite never having sailed in her life. After a crash course in safety and boating basics, Rebecca finds herself part of the Gallavant crew, under the watchful eye of the legendary captain, Tar McClain. Thus begins one of the greatest adventures of Rebecca’s life. After a few hiccups, including the Gallavant’s heavy penalty incurred in the fourth leg of the race, Rebecca begins to discover her own strength as she fights the negativity ingrained in her from being raised in foster care: “The yacht race was not about Rebecca or the voices from her childhood. It was about what she had to give back to life and to others.” The author includes uncredited black-and-white illustrations to contextualize some of the more technical boating terms (such as jib) and demonstrate proper knot tying. The novel vacillates between quiet, personal moments, such as sailors lamenting their lack of dance skills, and big, adrenaline-fueled scenes, as when Rebecca falls overboard into frigid waters. While Wyatt shoehorns in some historical facts and landmarks that don’t quite mesh with the rest of the story (although it is interesting to learn about humpback whales and the Da’naxda’xw Nation), the narrative’s blend of personal transformation and physical challenges makes for an inspiring read.

A sweet and sentimental tale of finding your inner strength when and where you least expect it, with a rousing nautical twist.