THE LEDGER OF LYING DOG

A castaway story, published for adults but my guess is that the teens will adopt it as their own. A convincing story, purporting to be a log belonging to the author's great uncle. As the story unfolds, one is convinced that here is the day-by-day record of a youth, shipwrecked with a group of out-throats and wretches (plus a women of uneasy virtue), and finding in himself unguessed ingenuities, skills, abilities to fend for himself and fight his own battles. Eventually, having explored one island, entrenched himself on another, and reduced his foes to one, he makes friends with him, and together they escape to Australia and the gold fields. There's a romance too, and throughout the adventures are as bloody and as fortunate in their outcome, the lady as fair, the finale as bright with promise as the best of the dreams we'd like to dream. Entertainment for boys and men.