Before the Wind

Josh Johannssen, the protagonist of this enjoyable, low-key novel, has sailing in his blood. His grandfather and father are both designers and builders of sailboats. His younger sister, Ruby, scotched a promising career in sailing and now does aid work in Africa. His older brother, Bernard, took to sea and has been away for 12 years. At 31, Josh himself runs a boat repair dock in Olympia, Wash. When Josh decides to recondition an old family boat, Freya III, it’s all hands on deck as every member of the Johannssen clan commits to taking part in the annual Swiftsure International Yacht Race. In the days leading up to this event, and during the race itself, Josh and his family will rehash old hurts, and shocking revelations come to light. Traveling back and forth over the history of the Johannssens, the author writes both humorously and movingly about one family’s lifelong love of sailing. For those who love a good sea story, this novel will be as bracing as salt spray during an autumn sail. (Apr.)