The Alaskan Laundry: A Novel

Brendan Jones

Apr 2016 · Sold by HMH

About this ebook

“This novel will reconvince you of the power of wilderness to heal a human heart” (Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted).
 
Tara Marconi has made her way from Philadelphia to “the Rock,” a remote island in Alaska governed by the seasons. Her mother’s death left her unmoored, with a seemingly impassable rift between her and her father. But in this majestic, rugged frontier she works her way up the commercial fishing ladder—from hatchery assistant all the way to king crabber. Disciplined from years as a young boxer, she learns anew what it means to work, to connect, and—through an unlikely old tugboat—how to make a home she knows is her own.
 
A testament to the places that shape us and the places that change us, The Alaskan Laundry tells one woman’s unforgettable journey in waters as far and icy as the Bering Sea, back to the possibility of love. 
 

Ratings and reviews

I received this Goodreads Giveaway in hope of a review. A life-changing decision sends Tara into the harsh world of Alaska commercial fishing. There, she learns that she can do almost anything that she sets her mind to. It is a lot of hard work and she, a young female from the lower 48, meets the challenges. Seamlessly and knowledgeably well-written, this narrative grabs you by your curiosity and holds you there until the end! Characters are real and trials engaging. Don't miss this one!

Great story with strong female protagonist. Well written with vivid descriptions that paint a picture in your mind of the beauty of Alaska. I look forward to more novels from this young author

About the author

Brendan Jones lives on a tugboat in Alaska and works in commercial fishing. A Stegner Fellow, he received his BA and MA from Oxford University, where he boxed for the Blues team. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Ploughshares, Popular Woodworking, the Huffington Post, and on NPR.