Once Upon a Gypsy Moon - by Michael Hurley (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Michael Hurley, an experienced attorney and former professional sailor, returns to the sea to give us a thought-provoking memoir of a man's yearning for redemption and renewal in the wake of infidelity, divorce, and failure" --Provided by the publisher

Book Synopsis

Michael Hurley watched his world unravel in the wake of infidelity, divorce and failure. In August 2009, he was short of money, out of a job, and seeking to salvage a life that had foundered. Deeply in need of perspective, he took to the open seas in a 32-foot sailboat, Gypsy Moon. The story of his 2-year outward odyssey, deterred by rough weather and mechanical troubles, combines keen observation, poignant thoughts, and deeper introspection with glorious prose.

Once Upon a Gypsy Moon also presents a rare and much-needed point of view on the familiar spiritual-journey narrative. It offers a star-crossed love story wrapped inside a rollicking good sea tale, but it also has something important to say to the reader about relationships, faith and disbelief, life and death, love and marriage, and what really matters.

Review Quotes

"Hurley spins a compelling and rather wonderful nautical yarn, full of honest humor and the sort of unexpected twists and turns that define all great adventures."--Martin Dugard, New York Times bestselling author

"Hurley writes beautifully, never confusing sensitivity with sentimentality. There's never any embarrassing self-revelation, and never any whimsy, and yet he makes himself a cheerful and engaging traveling companion. But, best (and rarest) of all, he can tell a story. I genuinely want to know what happens next."--Charles Foster, author of The Sacred Journey

"Poignant without being maudlin and spiritual without being sanctimonious...A striking memoir of personal discovery."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Michael Hurley has practiced law since 1984. He is the author of Letters from the Woods and several essays about "slices of life." He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife Susan and three dogs. Together they have four children.