Outbound

July 2, 2001
Graced with an unusually apt title that embraces both the gay concept of coming out and the nautical term for leaving port, this compelling memoir weaves Storandt's tentative coming out during the late 1960s and 1970s with a jaunty account of an Atlantic Ocean crossing with his life partner, Brian, in the early 1980s. He writes with a charming mix of wry self-analysis, dryly witty travel commentary and narrative energy, particularly when it comes to a storm-tossed passage on the crossing to Scotland. The result is a stellar life story with broad appeal. Gay readers of a certain age who came out during the Vietnam War will identify with Storandt's charming, somewhat fumbling progress toward finding a gay lover, while younger gay readers should enjoy a cheerful history lesson. At the same time, fellow sailors will be caught up in the author's obvious passion for sailing and the sea, and will savor the book's nautical savvy and insight. Just as captivating are the quick sketches Storandt draws of his pregay, presailing life, first as a Juilliard-trained orchestral percussionist in New York (session work included banging tambourines in studio sessions for the Monkees), then as a geodesic-dome-dwelling Vermonter. Photos from the adventure generously enhance an already lively account. (Aug.)Forecast:Storandt's engaging twist on the coming-out story and the credibility he's acquired as a 20-year contributor to
Cruising World magazine effectively position this memoir as a book for both gay readers and sailors of any persuasion.

September 15, 2001
Storandt, an avid sailor, freelance writer, and 20-year contributor to Cruising World magazine, tells the story of his voyage across the Atlantic and his life journey to a better understanding of himself. Along with friends Brian and Bob, Storandt sails his 32' wooden cutter, Clarity, on an idyllic cruise from Connecticut to the Azores but then makes a very stormy passage to Scotland. Once in Scotland, the friends cruise the rugged coast, visiting many of the same places as Mairi Hedderwick described in Sea Change: The Summer Voyage from East to West Scotland of the Anassa (LJ 3/15/00). Storandt flashes back to his early life as a music student, his move from New York City to a geodesic dome in Vermont, and his introduction to sailing. His soul searching is greatly influenced by his gradual "coming out" and his realization that he has finally found his life partner. Full of many personal references, this newest volume in "Living Out Gay and Lesbian Autobiographies" series also makes for a good sailing story as well. A nice addition for public libraries. John Kenny, San Francisco P.L.

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2001
Storandt excels at both writing and sailing, and the story of his courageous voyage across the Atlantic is artfully interspersed with that of his courageous coming to terms with his sexuality and finding a loving life partner. The carefully planned ocean journey with that partner and another longtime friend differs drastically from the listing, drifting life he led in the 1970s and 1980s as he struggled to make a livelihood as a percussionist while living in a handmade geodesic dome in Vermont. An aging hippie, he realized that he would be fulfilled only when he embraced love and commitment. Meanwhile, his passion for sailing directed him to build a 33-foot clipper, " Clar"ity, to cross the Atlantic. With Brian, he realized both goals. One needn't be either a sailor or gay to understand and enjoy Storandt's well-told tale of adventure on the high seas of water, self-discovery, and love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)