Far Tortuga

Nine men leave Grand Cayman in the Caribbean Sea, aboard a run down schooner, on a turtling voyage, hoping to make some money. We learn about the nine men from the conversations they have - they are at sea, there is little else to do while they travel to the fishing grounds. There are simple relationships, based on many things - friendship being more rare than mutual dislike, distrust and animosity. They are simple men, from poor backgrounds, who have little and offer less. They seek green turtles, from their traditional fishing grounds - those of their grandfathers, but there are so few turtles being caught...

There isn't much to talk about in terms of plot without launching straight into spoilers.

This is a strange novel - experimental one other reviewer called it, and perhaps that is the best description. As well as using the words to convey a story, it also uses the space on the page. The text is not set out conventionally. The line spaces vary, the text starts in different locations along the line, there are sketches and smudges of ink. The narration is minimal, the dialogue more meaningful, written in island patois (but quite readable when you get adjusted to it).

I expect this is a novel which, when read again, gives something different, or something more.
For now, I sit on the fence with 3 stars.