What do you think?
Rate this book
Boating for Beginners
A pleasure boat company is transformed when the proprietor, Noah, is chosen by the "One True God" to put "sunny" faith back in the world and women back in the kitchen. The author has written "Oranges are Not the Only Fruit" (winner of the 1985 Whitbread award), and "Sexing the Cherry".
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
32 people are currently reading
944 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Winterson
112Ìýbooks7,362ÌýfollowersNovelist Jeanette Winterson was born in Manchester, England in 1959. She was adopted and brought up in Accrington, Lancashire, in the north of England. Her strict Pentecostal Evangelist upbringing provides the background to her acclaimed first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, published in 1985. She graduated from St Catherine's College, Oxford, and moved to London where she worked as an assistant editor at Pandora Press.
One of the most original voices in British fiction to emerge during the 1980s, Winterson was named as one of the 20 "Best of Young British Writers" in a promotion run jointly between the literary magazine Granta and the Book Marketing Council.
She adapted Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit for BBC television in 1990 and also wrote "Great Moments in Aviation," a television screenplay directed by Beeban Kidron for BBC2 in 1994. She is editor of a series of new editions of novels by Virginia Woolf published in the UK by Vintage. She is a regular contributor of reviews and articles to many newspapers and journals and has a regular column published in The Guardian. Her radio drama includes the play Text Message, broadcast by BBC Radio in November 2001.
Winterson lives in Gloucestershire and London. Her work is published in 28 countries.
One of the most original voices in British fiction to emerge during the 1980s, Winterson was named as one of the 20 "Best of Young British Writers" in a promotion run jointly between the literary magazine Granta and the Book Marketing Council.
She adapted Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit for BBC television in 1990 and also wrote "Great Moments in Aviation," a television screenplay directed by Beeban Kidron for BBC2 in 1994. She is editor of a series of new editions of novels by Virginia Woolf published in the UK by Vintage. She is a regular contributor of reviews and articles to many newspapers and journals and has a regular column published in The Guardian. Her radio drama includes the play Text Message, broadcast by BBC Radio in November 2001.
Winterson lives in Gloucestershire and London. Her work is published in 28 countries.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
April 2, 2023
lucifer with his new hat deserves his own book tbf
January 18, 2019
Like Vonnegut but more funny, clever and devastating (please note I quite like a lot of Vonnegut's work). I am surprised that another reviewer claims Winterson "disowned" this one but searching around I cannot see any evidence for it.
I would guess people don't like it because of just how critical it is of privilege and consumer culture (in a mocking sort of a way) and even of "romance" in its relationship to compulsory heterosexuality. It's not flawless, it breaks the fourth wall in some places (I thought more elegantly than Vonnegut does the same) it combines some real criticisms with some craziness. I guess some Christians also get a bit precious about imaginary insults to their faith.
It's not a book to make you feel good but it can get a reluctant chuckle out of you. In 2019, facing climate change and very similar people to Noah and Bunny being the main spokespersons for culture these days (and even being leaders of nations) I had to see value in this dystopian frolic.
I would guess people don't like it because of just how critical it is of privilege and consumer culture (in a mocking sort of a way) and even of "romance" in its relationship to compulsory heterosexuality. It's not flawless, it breaks the fourth wall in some places (I thought more elegantly than Vonnegut does the same) it combines some real criticisms with some craziness. I guess some Christians also get a bit precious about imaginary insults to their faith.
It's not a book to make you feel good but it can get a reluctant chuckle out of you. In 2019, facing climate change and very similar people to Noah and Bunny being the main spokespersons for culture these days (and even being leaders of nations) I had to see value in this dystopian frolic.
December 20, 2020
It's amazing that in 1985 Winterson wrote a book that is clearly about the Trump presidency: "Noah was right wing, suspicious of women and totally committed to money as a medium for communication. Yet when he spoke he charmed. He could transform his audiences' dull grey lives for an hour or two. Doris had been to most of those meetings, and when she came out she realised she had been conned and seduced because most of what he implied was dangerous nonsense. ... He became a focus for pain and disappointment, urged his audience to lay their burden down and rest in him, told them they'd see their country great again, painted a bright future for their children. ... If you refused the message you were an outcast." (pp. 69-70)
Also, there should be more books with pictures.
Also, there should be more books with pictures.
February 5, 2018
Considering that I count Jeanette Winterson amongst my favourite authors, one may wonder why I have given one of her earliest books, Boating for Beginners a two-star rating. In response, I must say this is a pretty terrible novel. It’s peculiar and goes off on tangents; I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening at times. There is no shrewdness or effortless humour that I could discern here; rather, it is as though Winterson is trying far too hard to be clever and funny, and it just is not working. Thankfully this is an anomaly within her oeuvre, but it is certainly not a book which I would recommend, even to fans of her work.
January 10, 2010
This is my favourite Winterson. Tongue firmly in cheek, the book tells the story of characters who did not make it into the bible. It also boasts one of the most creative uses of a tub of ice-cream and a bolt of lightning in fiction. And who knew that semolina is the manna of choice? With cameos from biblical characters, angels and various animals of course.
April 16, 2025
a bizarre little tale. I spent much of my time trying to understand the angle this was written from. As in, trying to follow the wandering that Jeanette's prose characteristically follows. Bending my brain to allow a type of magical randomness that I am unfamiliar with. Overcoming the surprise of bizarre elements, and how I could integrate them into the narrative. Clearly written by a very intelligent, weird woman (my favourite kind). Even though I felt that I was reading slowly and thoughtfully, I reckon a lot went over my head as was above my intellectual pay grade - a re-read is necessary! It is the type of book that I have been enjoying mulling over and scrawling all over.
Hard to review the content of this and probably better to just read it lol, given the length. But satirical takes on the story of Noah's Ark to exemplar the use of religion as a powerful tool of control. Political takes interestingly, given that it was written in 1985, relevant to the current power-infatuated leaders. This is a funny and witty book!! In Jeanette style, makes interesting commentary on the human form and landscape of the mind. It's all a bit convoluted. I took from it what I could, but would likely take from it differently in time. I wish I had someone to discuss with. Give it a read if you want to bend your brain!
some favourite extracts hehe:
'Leo's in my chest; I'm sure it's Leo because my heart roars. I've always had a roaring heart. Whatever I'm feeling, my heart is roaring inside. I don't think I'll die, I think I'll combust. One day my frame will be too weak and my banging heart too strong and the lion will be out, gone, escaped, leaving me here in a little heap. Still, I'd rather it was that way than have no lion at all. Modern people, they don't feel much, Gloria, they do all they can not to get excited, not to get upset.'
'Myths hook and bind the mind because at the same time they set the mind free: they explain the universe while allowing the universe to go on being unexplained... Every believer is an anarchist at heart... When the heart revolts it wants outrageous things that cannot possibly be factual.'
'The impulse to worship is impossible to eradicate... The move towards reason, the loss of wonder, the empty place in the heart.... If we don't give her something real to worship, she'll end up like her mother. An emotional vacuum is a dangerous thing.'
'How do you say goodbye with some grace?... Getting up in the morning made her happy; she greeted life like an old friend and if, like an old friend, she sometimes hated it and wanted to kick it, that was only an excess, not a lack, of feeling... Gloria loved the world; and many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.'
Hard to review the content of this and probably better to just read it lol, given the length. But satirical takes on the story of Noah's Ark to exemplar the use of religion as a powerful tool of control. Political takes interestingly, given that it was written in 1985, relevant to the current power-infatuated leaders. This is a funny and witty book!! In Jeanette style, makes interesting commentary on the human form and landscape of the mind. It's all a bit convoluted. I took from it what I could, but would likely take from it differently in time. I wish I had someone to discuss with. Give it a read if you want to bend your brain!
some favourite extracts hehe:
'Leo's in my chest; I'm sure it's Leo because my heart roars. I've always had a roaring heart. Whatever I'm feeling, my heart is roaring inside. I don't think I'll die, I think I'll combust. One day my frame will be too weak and my banging heart too strong and the lion will be out, gone, escaped, leaving me here in a little heap. Still, I'd rather it was that way than have no lion at all. Modern people, they don't feel much, Gloria, they do all they can not to get excited, not to get upset.'
'Myths hook and bind the mind because at the same time they set the mind free: they explain the universe while allowing the universe to go on being unexplained... Every believer is an anarchist at heart... When the heart revolts it wants outrageous things that cannot possibly be factual.'
'The impulse to worship is impossible to eradicate... The move towards reason, the loss of wonder, the empty place in the heart.... If we don't give her something real to worship, she'll end up like her mother. An emotional vacuum is a dangerous thing.'
'How do you say goodbye with some grace?... Getting up in the morning made her happy; she greeted life like an old friend and if, like an old friend, she sometimes hated it and wanted to kick it, that was only an excess, not a lack, of feeling... Gloria loved the world; and many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.'
April 15, 2008
Theres a reason why Jeanette Winterson disowned this one. It reminded me of Monty Python trying EXTRA hard to be droll. There was so much unsubtlety, like every line was a joke, a punchline and a someone screaming in your face 'that's funny isn't it? get it? get it? Funny right? huh?' Its a biblical parody, by the way.
February 5, 2020
This was such a fun beach read and honestly could be a true story... Hilarious but also very smart, I devour everything Jeanette Winterson writes.
July 24, 2007
I think this book will appeal mostly to Jeanette Winterson fans--the type who just can't get enough of her. Still, it's not her usual type of work, and her poetic voice is missing. It's her re-telling of Noah's Ark, wherein Noah has actually created God out of ice cream (like Frankenstein). And the world is quite advanced, containing everything from television to feminism. It's a funny social and religious satire, but not one of my favorites. I didn't give it three stars for mediocrity; rather, I followed the "I liked it" cues. Liked it; didn't love it.
October 11, 2014
"I sometimes fancy that my body is made up of all the different stars. Leo's in my chest; I'm sure it's Leo because my heart roars. I've always had a roaring heart. Whatever I'm feeling my heart is roaring inside. I don't think I'll die, I think I'll combust. One day my frame will be too weak and my banging heart too strong and the lion will be out, gone, escaped, leaving me here on a little heap. Still, I'd rather it was that way than have no lion at all..."
- Jeanette Winterson, Boating for Beginners
- Jeanette Winterson, Boating for Beginners
August 31, 2022
Winterson is one of my favorite authors. This book was written pretty early in her career, and her trademark style is missing. This is a simple book with a plot line and a some amusing jabs at Christianity and the story of Noah.
There is none of Winterson's usual beautiful and nuanced writing, no depth, and no magic. The characters are okay but flat.
I'm not sorry I read it. It's cool to see how far her style has come. But I'm glad it was short.
There is none of Winterson's usual beautiful and nuanced writing, no depth, and no magic. The characters are okay but flat.
I'm not sorry I read it. It's cool to see how far her style has come. But I'm glad it was short.
February 28, 2018
A strange tale, very funny packing a great deal into a short book
June 6, 2023
Such a great example of postmodern novel.
October 14, 2012
i haven't finished it yet...... i'm finding it.....difficult. i love jeanette winterson's work..... and when i am reading this i hear myself chuckling... it is funny....... i'm just finding the premise....awkward..... i feel like i must have missed a page somewhere right at the start that would have made it all make sense......... i'm struggling. but i will persist.
i just don't know. have you ever read a book and thought - i should be enjoying this.... i should be 'getting' this.... but i'm just not.... then years later you re-read it and can't believe you didn't appreciate it sooner......... well...... i am hoping that day will come....... but for now...... meh.
i just don't know. have you ever read a book and thought - i should be enjoying this.... i should be 'getting' this.... but i'm just not.... then years later you re-read it and can't believe you didn't appreciate it sooner......... well...... i am hoping that day will come....... but for now...... meh.
April 22, 2013
Incredibly amusing retelling of Noah and the great flood. I am an even bigger fan of Jeanette Winterson now. Amused.
July 28, 2018
It is not often I find a book so funny that it makes me laugh out loud. This book had me giggling, cackling and outright guffawing at many points. A good lark.
June 4, 2023
I love historical events like this.
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?
In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.
It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.
I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...
Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus
We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.
7. Reading is Motivational
By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?
In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.
It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.
I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...
Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus
We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.
7. Reading is Motivational
By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.
December 13, 2019
There are several moments that stuck out to me. The moment I wish to begin my review on refers to a dialogue between Marlene and Gloria. If I recall, Marlene, a transgender character, expresses the need for razors during the foreboding deluge that threatens to sink the world. I thought of interpreting this in different ways: the first interpretation was that Winterson intended this to mean that Marlene is vain, conforming to normative notions of femininity (being hairless), in contrast with Gloria who finds herself in a conflict with these same notions as addressed in the first chapter. My second interpretation considered Marlene's trans-ness and her desire for razors manifesting from gender dysphoria, contextualised in a society that bases gender on presentation and performance. For many transgender people, there is an obligation to conform to notions of the gender binary even more so than cisgender people. I do not know Winterson's stance on transgender issues, but I at least appreciated that the dialogue opened different interpretations, even if it perhaps sacrificed nuance.
That being said, for a long time I did not find this book particularly engaging, but this could stem from being an inconsistent reader. While there is no particular resolve for Gloria's place in a patriarchal society, it's at least not terribly bleak. Without spoiling anything, I found the ending enjoyable as a bite at religious dogma. The gender aspect of this book is secondary to its central purpose, a hypertext of the Biblical story of Noah's Ark. Using technological and popular cultural references completely alien to me (this book was published in 1985, I was born in 1998), Winterson presents the reader with a reconstructed view of Noah's Ark, touching on second-wave feminism and exploring intertexuality, namely the construction of God in a Frankenstein-esque fashion. If anything, the book was more of an exploration of the follies of man.
That being said, for a long time I did not find this book particularly engaging, but this could stem from being an inconsistent reader. While there is no particular resolve for Gloria's place in a patriarchal society, it's at least not terribly bleak. Without spoiling anything, I found the ending enjoyable as a bite at religious dogma. The gender aspect of this book is secondary to its central purpose, a hypertext of the Biblical story of Noah's Ark. Using technological and popular cultural references completely alien to me (this book was published in 1985, I was born in 1998), Winterson presents the reader with a reconstructed view of Noah's Ark, touching on second-wave feminism and exploring intertexuality, namely the construction of God in a Frankenstein-esque fashion. If anything, the book was more of an exploration of the follies of man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
Weird good or weird bad? The answer - definitely good!! Jeanette Winterson accomplishes her goal (at least I assume it was her intention!?!?) through both overtly weird choices as well as more subtle ones. An example of the latter comes in the form of frankness over the loss of a major character’s limb. She writes “She had just lost her arm in the hallelujah hamburger machine and she didn’t like it� she goes on to state “she had never lost an arm before, and she couldn’t be expected to cope with it.� These silly choices are what create the delightfully critical tone of a novel about a silly “flood myth� which originally lacked female perspectives.
July 28, 2024
made me wanna read the bible... for the laughs
also this feels very timely... idk why we don't talk about it more. (we is me, i never shut up about jeanette winterson but it took me a while to find this one.) actually laughed out loud a couple of times (rare) and might never think of a biblical story the same way.
the fact that this was published in the same year as oranges is actually kind of insane. especially the parts about gloria and mrs munde, and more so the way gloria's perspective on her mother changes as she grows warmed my heart.
also this feels very timely... idk why we don't talk about it more. (we is me, i never shut up about jeanette winterson but it took me a while to find this one.) actually laughed out loud a couple of times (rare) and might never think of a biblical story the same way.
the fact that this was published in the same year as oranges is actually kind of insane. especially the parts about gloria and mrs munde, and more so the way gloria's perspective on her mother changes as she grows warmed my heart.
Read
February 6, 2020A lighthearted, funny, what-if, sort of a book, and meant to be taken that way. Winterson observes that she wrote needing money, that the book appeared a mere three months after her debut novel, and that it was never meant to be taken particularly seriously, just as a bit of fun imagining the way with the book of Genesis as we know it might have gone through a series of drafts before it reached the familiar version.
September 10, 2017
Boating for Beginners is a re-imagining of a known biblical mythology -Noah's Ark. Jeanette Winterson's story is captivating and has immensely interesting characters. Most are larger than life. Winterson also showcases her sharp wit and humour in this book. Sexing the Cherry scared me off a bit, but Boating for Beginners eases the way for me to get back to reading Winterson's prose.
October 9, 2024
I had never read a whole book by Jeanette Winterson before, and did not imagine it to be either so funny or so fluffy. Totally lightweight, but what is wrong with that?
A retelling of the Noah story, and if it was saying anything profound I missed it. Nonetheless, some laugh out loud moments, and that'd good for any book.
A retelling of the Noah story, and if it was saying anything profound I missed it. Nonetheless, some laugh out loud moments, and that'd good for any book.
March 23, 2021
I’d almost regard this as juvenilia: it’s certainly nowhere as strong as “The Passion� or even “Oranges�; and the references are dated. Perhaps only interesting as a glimpse into the author’s fascination with myth.
August 7, 2021
I know technically Winterson does not accept this as part of her literary canon (since it was a commission to keep her afloat), but man.... I still enjoyed it. Can't believe how incredibly, bitingly funny and ironic this whole book is. Loved it.
May 23, 2022
Loved it. On the surface this is a great romp based on the story of Noah. It also examines deeper issues of belief, the nature and existence of a divine being and the our present day attitudes to consumer goods and media manipulation.
A great read.
A great read.
September 9, 2023
It's going for a Good Omens/Pratchett approach to Noah and all that nonsense, but it is painfully unfunny and all over the place. It's only 160 pages, but it took me weeks to get through because even reading a page felt like a slog.
December 13, 2024
I loved this!!!! It was really funny and creative. It took me a second to get into it and understand where it was going, but by about the second half I was obsessed. Just as good as Oranges are not the only fruit and that’s saying something�.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2018
I found this a lot sillier than any other books by Winterson (God is accidentally made from frozen gateau; need I say more?), with cheesy jokes throughout, but it was a fun book nonetheless.
May 13, 2019
Quirky retelling of the story of Noah and the flood Set in a later time period. No 2 Winterson books are the same. I have enjoyed the ones I have read so far.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.