Every Man for Himself

"Every Man for Himself" by Norman Duncan is a story that transports you to the rough and tumble world of Newfoundland fishermen, guided by Tumm's captivating stories of life's odd characters, especially Abraham Botch from Jug Cove, a man with big questions on his mind. The story asks us to think about what it means to be alive, who people are, and how tough it can be to just survive when the world doesn't seem to care. Starting with the "Good Samaritan" crew stuck in a storm, Tumm's storytelling introduces them to Botch, and his wondering about our reason for existing. Through Tumm's eyes, we see Botch's endless search for answers about life, the soul, and everything around us, matching big thinkers with the everyday worries of making a living as fishermen. Tumm's stories show interesting ideas clashing with the hard facts of life, setting the scene for a story about people looking for meaning in a place that's not always kind.