The Cruise of the Nona
The Story of a Cruise from Holyhead to the Wash, with Reflections and Judgments on Life and Letters, Men and Manners
In the early 1920s Hilaire Belloc sailed his old cutter, the Nona, from Holyhead in Wales round the coast of Britain to the Wash, and this book is what he thought about on the way. The sailing is real, with tides, fogs, headlands and nights at anchor described by a man who knew small boats, but it is also the thread on which he hangs opinions about Parliament, the press, the Dreyfus case, the French Revolution, the Church, old age and the English character. Published in 1925 and dedicated to Maurice Baring, it is Belloc's most personal book and the one his admirers usually recommend first, a long, cantankerous, often beautiful monologue delivered from a tiller. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Cruise of the Nona
The Cruise of the Nona by Hilaire Belloc can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Cruise of the Nona online?
Yes. The Cruise of the Nona opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Cruise of the Nona free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Cruise of the Nona is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Cruise of the Nona in the public domain?
Yes. The Cruise of the Nona by Hilaire Belloc is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Cruise of the Nona?
About 7 h 29 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Cruise of the Nona?
The Cruise of the Nona by Hilaire Belloc is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
