Jack Tier
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4.2 • 6 Ratings
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Publisher Description
Jack Tier, or the Florida Reef is a novel by James Fenimore Cooper. Set during the Mexican-American war, the novel relates a twenty-year homosocial relationship verging on the homoerotic between a sailor and the captain of the boat. But by the end of the novel the sailor is the captain's wife, transforming the story into a story of heterosexual love and passion.
Customer Reviews
Jack Tier
Having a preconceived notion about Cooper as being a land-bound teller of rustic historical fiction focused on Upper New York State I was amazed to learn of his impressive knowledge of ships and their operation (in his day).
I’m a recreational sailor, having spent my nautical life in both New York Waters and Cruising Florida’s West (Gulf Coast).
This book goes into detail about sailing in New York’s East River and Long Island Sound and Florida’s Key West and Dry Tortugas back in (about) 1846. It’s manifold references to places of interest to sailors (ships, boats, forts, harbors, islands, lighthouses). I learned of the book’s existence while reading another book about Florida Lighthouses where it was referenced that a significant place scene in “Jack Tier” took place at a still extant Lighthouse on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas.
That was my draw to the book since I plan on sailing there soon.
The story itself was entertaining, a good look at life at sea in those times, and had a pretty interesting twist/reveal in the end.
I highly recommend it to people with my narrow range of interests.