Forlorn Island is a far north adventure by the great Edison Marshall. I really enjoyed his White Brigand, and the copy I have is a Dell Mapback #364, which for me makes it a pleasure to read. Tight binding, nice font, great graphic front, and 'map on the back' cover.
Written in 1932, the barrenness of the northern sea would have seemed much greater I think, the unknown of the people of this land, even more exotic.
This adventure takes place in the Bering Sea, among the Aleutian Islands that make up the tip of Alaska. Eric Ericssen is a tall Norwegian, connected to his Viking roots. He takes on a job at Squaw Harbor with the wealthy Norton family and their luxury vessel Intrepid. Arrogant patriarch Mr. Horton is accompanied by his feisty mother, beautiful young daughter Nan, and household staff. His last crew walked off and Eric was reluctantly hired, along with a gang of thugs for labour. Not made for these waters, the Intrepid is blown off course in a gale, and wrecked on the breakers. With few life rafts, murder break out among the crew, although the family makes it to the shores of the nearby island. Greeted by the Aleut people, they learn there has been no contact with the outside world for many years, it is the Place-Where-Everything-Goes-Away - the forlorn island. They meet the chief Chechaquo, and the resident holy woman Fireheart, who help Eric and others learn the ways of fishing, and bird and seal hunting, welcoming them into their communal mud huts. The thugs from the boat also arrive on the island, lead by Sandomar, and Eric takes up position of law on the island. As there seems to be no escape, they can only continue to live as best they can.
There is romance between Eric and Nan, conflict between the family and the thugs, and the drama of basic survival. Eventually a plan is hatched for two or three of the strongest to leave the island in kayaks, a plan helped by Fireheart who remembers the Russian traders route many years ago. It would involve a day of constant travel but might be possible.
A real adventure of survival and conflict in a barren land, Forlorn Island is well written and exciting, always involving. Written so long ago, it has an authentic ring and despite the lurid cover is more like a Jack London Novel. The action depicted on the cover happens at the very beginning of the story, so there are a good 200 pages of story to tell after that. Edison Marshall went on the write historical novels of merit in the 50's, but I prefer these adventures from the 30's and 40's. There is something sparse and pure about the action and the characters are sharply written. Everyone pulls their weight, the women often stronger in crisis than the men.
Probably hard to find, but another very enjoyable novel from Edison Marshall.
1932 / Paperback / 240 pages
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