#50 [2025/CBR17] A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

I've found a number of interesting books when I need a new audio book by just seeing what is "available now" at my library, sorted by popularity. Is that how I found A Marriage at Sea (2025) by Sophie Elmhirst? Honestly, now I can't remember. I may have seen it on a list somewhere. Also, now that I've read it, I'm seeing this book everywhere, including NPR and NYT's 2025 lists. Spoilers follow.

A Marriage at Sea is the true story of a couple, Maralyn and Maurice, who were sailing around the world when their boat was hit and broken by a sperm whale in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. With an unfixable hole under the waterline and very limited time, the two bailed out onto a dinghy and a life raft. They had very limited supplies and no radio. Maralyn and Maurice barely managed to survive an amazing 118 days at sea before being picked up by a South Korean fishing boat. 

This book was a continual surprise for me. First, I had in my head that this shipwreck took place back in the 1800's or something, so I was surprised when I started listening and learned that Maralyn and Maurice were married in the 1960's and their shipwreck occurred in 1973. Second, this book is not just about the ocean journey and their survival. After they are picked up, the book goes into detail about the flurry of fanfare and press surrounding them, as well as their preparations for a second voyage to Patagonia.

But what stands out the most throughout this book is the relationship between Maralyn and Maurice. They defied expectations by choosing to not have kids, quitting their safe, respectable jobs, selling their home, and taking to the sea. In all of this, Maralyn was usually the instigator. It was her idea to sell the house and get a boat. And once they were shipwrecked, it was Maralyn's determination and optimism that kept them going. In many ways, they seemed suited only to each other.

Later in the book, Elmhirst likens the fanfare of a wedding to the fanfare of christening a new boat. The celebrations are all excitement and anticipation of what is to come, although the reality of marriage as well as a sea voyage can be much more difficult. In fact, some would not go through with it if they knew everything that was to come.

The book follows Maralyn and Maurice for the rest of their lives. Maurice ends up by himself, ornery and grumpy, and missing Maralyn deeply. 

I found this book interesting and thought provoking. It wasn't as straightforward as I was expecting. The author had a number of good sources, including diaries and books Maurice and Maralyn had written. However, I still sometimes wished we could know even more about the protagonists. Recommended.