Title: Cascadia: An Epic Journey of Survival
Author: Darlene Weir
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-5434-6763-5
Pages: 288
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Susan Brown
Pacific Book Review
Natural disasters, so often, happen without warning. Who’s ever prepared? Cascadia, An Epic Journey of Survival is a riveting story, set in British Columbia, Canada. It is the account of one family caught unaware when an earthquake occurs, setting into motion a dramatic escape from their home.
Of note about this book is that the narrative is pure fiction, a harbinger of what could happen should a catastrophe take place in that part of the world. In the postscript, author Darlene Weir explains the premise: the area around Vancouver Island, British Columbia has been hit by earthquakes, some very large, repeatedly for hundreds of years and continues to happen. The prediction that the “Big One” is coming … in a week, a month, a year or 50 years from now compelled her to write this yarn.
And what a tale it is. The family, three generations of Wallis’, are literally swept away from their coastal home in a small boat on a giant earthquake-caused swell. What ensues is a series of open-sea exploits as they paddle their way to where their large, sea-going vessel, the Sea Lure, is moored. Their hope is that it is habitable and can serve as a floating home as they wait out the aftereffects of the cataclysmic earthquake.
The challenges to get to the Sea Lure are many, but they survive all of them, pulling together as a family, each discovering inner resources that help them rise to every occasion and overcome the obstacles literally flung in their path. They do get to the Sea Lure. It is habitable, but living there does not eradicate the challenges they face.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Angie, the thirteen-year-old daughter. Her fear, anxiety and terror comes through thanks to the skillful writing of the author, as well as her appreciation and gratitude for her family. Whether they are pummeled by ocean waves, plagued by shortages of food or assaulted by gangs of out-of-control survivors, Angie’s perspective is one of hope, that with the help and support of the family team all will be well.
The strength of this book is that her hope rarely spirals down into despair. Yes, terrible things happen, but together and united she believes that they can and will overcome the hardships. So, in spite of the fact that their whole life gets turned upside down, we see them navigate their misfortune with a level-headedness that keeps them afloat … literally and metaphorically.
This book reminds me of classics like Swiss Family Robinson and Robinson Crusoe where ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary situations and figure out how to carry on. It is an inspiring story that highlights the goodness of people in traumatic situations, as well as a reminder that taking time to be prepared for a catastrophe before it happens is a practical and sensible undertaking because Mother Earth is full of surprises.
