After they got married in the 1960s, Maurice and Maralyn were feeling stifled by their suburban British life So in the early 1970s, they sold their bungalow, had a boat built, finished the inside themselves, and set off to sail to New Zealand. Because they wanted to be truly away from 'civilization' they did not have a radio on their boat and they planned a route away from shipping lanes. They were happy and content with life at sea until one morning, a wounded whale rammed their boat, leaving a large hole. In less than an hour, they were on a life raft and dinghy with what few things they'd been able to salvage, watching their boat sink. Thus began their 118-day ordeal, drifting in the sea, trying to survive.

This book is the story of that event, but also of Maurice and Maralyn's relationship, which is almost a character in its own right. The relationship they had with one another was the foundation of everything--the choice to go on the voyage in the first place, the way it changed once the disaster had occurred, how things unfolded after it was over, and more. We see a bit about Maurice and a bit about Maralyn, but much more about Maurice-and-Maralyn. Today there is more acceptance of those who don't fit well within the confines of conventional society, but back then--at least in the world of US suburbia where I come from--there was little tolerance for those who didn't want to live that kind of life. I was fascinated by their strategies for dealing with that and by their survival strategies when things went horribly wrong.

It's a great book--part adventure story, part love story, part self-discovery story. I devoured it and I highly recommend it.

The true story of Maurice and his wife Maralyn, both unusual people, who take their boat on a voyage to escape the conventional life set out for most people.
When their boat is irretrievably damaged by a whale they are left afloat in their safety dinghy. What ensues is a test of their bodies, minds and will to live
The details have been taken from their extraordinary diaries.
A fascinating, gripping story

Maurice and Maralyn Bailey became household names in 1973 after managing to survive 118 days adrift at sea after their yacht sunk after being struck by a whale . The fickle hand of celebrity/notoriety has resulted in the story of this incredible couple being cast aside and lost in 50 years.
Sophie Elmhirst has taken the books written by the couple and other resources and retold the story of the Maurice and Maralyn. If alive today the couple's story would be standing alongside Raynor Winn on the bookshelf. This is a tale of survival in the most extreme circumstances. The book captures the diversity in the couple's characters and how in many ways this complimented the marriage - balancing strengths and weaknesses and how in true love and life this recognised.
The excitement of escaping every day life is told with clarity but it is the palpable emotions of desperation and fear being stranded on the Pacific ocean with a dinghy and life raft that truly bring this book alive. Although in a wide open space , the feeling of a claustrophobia emanates off the page. It is clear that Maralyn was the motivator and the one that kept the couple alive in this time of disaster. The subsequent tale of rescue and life beyond the 1973 event conveys the determination to return to sea and the love the couple had for each other but there is also a sense of life never returning to what they dreamed.Maurice recognises that despite the extreme circumstances they endured by the time they return to England more focus and praise is given to footballers and pop stars - nothing has changed.
This is a moving retelling of a survival story and deserves to be read and recognised by new generations and readership.