Sole Survivor

SOLE SURVIVOR. Ruthanne Lum McCunn. 1985/2002. Read by Johanna Ward. 6 cds. 7 hrs. Blackstone Audiobooks. 0-7861-9436-7 $48.00. Vinyl; content, author notes. SA

In 1942 Poon Lira answered the British call for Chinamen to serve on merchant ships. He worked as a steward on the Benlomond, which was torpedoed by a German submarine and sank off the coast of Brazil, Poon was the only survivor. For 133 days, until rescued by a family in a small boat, Poon survived by catching rainwater in canvas rigging, fashioning hooks and lines to catch fish, and eventually catching birds and drinking his own urine. Planes and ships were sighted; one turned away when Poon was recognized as Chinese.

Ward's reading captures the emotional intensity in the details of survival with the added worry of being Chinese. Poon's hope, after rescue, was that he might serve as an example of Chinese competence and courage. While it is true that training films were made of his creative ways of catching water and fish and a private bill granted him US citizenship, the initial debriefing by the US Navy was dismissive. This book was initially classified as fiction because of its imaginative detail. Author McCunn explains the interviews, including those with Poon, and the research that supports its re-release as nonfiction.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

Vivian Berg, Mandan, ND

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