42 pages • 1 hour read
Gabriel García MárquezThe Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor by Gabriel García Márquez recounts Luis Alejandro Velasco's harrowing ordeal of surviving 10 days adrift on a raft in the Caribbean after being washed overboard from the Colombian destroyer Caldas, which was actually overloaded with contraband. Initially hailed as a hero, Velasco's true story exposed governmental corruption, causing a political scandal.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gabriel García Márquez's The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor receives praise for its gripping, true-life adventure and masterful storytelling. Critics commend Márquez's engaging narrative and vivid depictions. However, some readers find the story's pace slow at times. Overall, it's hailed for its compelling and thought-provoking portrayal of survival.
Who Should Read The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor?
Readers who enjoy gripping survival tales and vivid narrative journalism will be captivated by Gabriel García Márquez’s The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor. Fans of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and Alfred Lansing’s Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage will appreciate the detailed, real-life account of human resilience and the powerful storytelling.
RecommendedReading Age
14+yearsBook Details
Creative Nonfiction
Action / Adventure
Emotions/Behavior: Fear
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos