"In the end," writes Tori McClure, "I know I rowed across the Atlantic to find my heart, but in the beginning, I wasn't aware that it was missing."
During June 1998, Tori McClure set out to row across the Atlantic Ocean by herself in a twenty-three-foot plywood boat with no motor or sail. Within days she lost all communication with shore, but nevertheless she decided to keep going. Not only did she lose the sound of a friendly voice, she lost updates on the location of the Gulf Stream and on the weather. Unfortunately for Tori, 1998 is still on record as the worst hurricane season in the North Atlantic. In deep solitude and perilous conditions, she was nonetheless determined to prove what one person with a mission can do. When she was finally brought to her knees by a series of violent storms that nearly killed her, she had to signal for help and go home in what felt like complete disgrace.
Back in Kentucky, however, Tori's life began to change in unexpected ways. She fell in love. At the age of thirty-five, she embarked on a serious relationship for the first time, making her feel even more vulnerable than sitting alone in a tiny boat in the middle of the Atlantic. She went to work for Muhammad Ali, who told her that she did not want to be known as the woman who "almost" rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. And she knew that he was right.
In this thrilling story of high adventure and romantic quest, Tori McClure discovers through her favorite way—the hard way—that the most important thing in life is not to prove you are superhuman but to fully to embrace your own humanity. With a wry sense of humor and a strong voice, she gives us a true memoir of an explorer who maps her world with rare emotional honesty.
There were several times I found myself holding my breath while reading A Pearl in the Storm. I reminded myself that she had to have survived her ordeal because she wrote the book! Toni McClure's writing is superb, gripping, and thought-provoking. Her rowing adventure tale comes in dramatic waves; her inner journey is the undercurrent that gives it meaning. Her story is hopeful and inspiring to women of all ages.
I was well-warned by a friend from my book club that she picked this up and couldn't stop reading it. I did the same, including getting three hours of sleep to finish it. This is an incredibly well-written book - I know a little of many of the things Tori writes about but have vociferously recommended this book to four coworkers since this morning, all because different aspects of it would appeal to them. This isn't a book strictly for endurance athletes, rowers, women who did something different with their careers, the well-educated, those who have fallen in love or for those who grew up in challenging circumstances although the author eloquently covers each of these. She also talks about fear, helplessness, bravery, pain, inspiration and the quest for something that most can't understand. It is an incredible tale and well-worth the read.
