All the Way Round is a splendid true boys-own-adventure. The book follows Stuart Trueman’s, inspirational 17,000 kilometres circumnavigation of Australia by kayak.
Setting out from Broome, the epic paddle lasted sixteen months. The author had to deal with sizeable crocodiles, intrusive sharks, dangerous storms, raging surf, high cliffs and lack of drinking water, all the while suppressing any fear, anxiety, or exhaustion so that he could get back into the water every day.
Imagine a vomit splattered kayak hull, dehydration, cramps, heat exhaustion, pain and being rescued from the beach by an eco-lodge worker. Now, imagine that is what happened on the very first day of a 1.3 year journey. Because that’s what happened to Trueman. It was a disastrous start and a harsh lesson in the realities of the task the paddler had set himself.
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This gripping account details these and many more experiences and really grabs the reader by throwing them right into the kayak for the ride. There’s excitement, resilience, heroism, triumph, and inner tenacity from the first stroke to the thrilling reunion with Trueman’s family when he paddles back into Broome.
Told with clarity, vivid description, and a good chunk of dry humour, All The Way Round is utterly absorbing.
All The Way Round by Stuart Trueman was published by Macmillan, RRP $32.95