The Lost Boys of Montauk

The True Story of the Wind Blown, Four Men Who Vanished at Sea, and the Survivors They Left Behind

By: Amanda M. Fairbanks

Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell

An immersive account of a commercial fishing disaster at sea whose repercussions haunt its survivors to this day, lauded by New York Times bestselling author Ron Suskind as “an honest and touching book, and a hell of a story.”

In March of 1984, the commercial fishing boat Wind Blown left Montauk Harbor on what should have been a routine offshore voyage. Its captain, a married father of three young boys, was the boat’s owner and leader of the four-man crew, which included two locals and the blue-blooded son of a well-to-do summer family. After a week at sea, the weather suddenly turned, and the foursome collided with a nor’easter. They soon found themselves in the fight of their lives. Tragically, it was a fight they lost. Neither the boat nor the bodies of the men were ever recovered. The downing of the Wind Blown has since become interwoven with the local folklore of the East End’s year-round population. Its tragic fate will never be forgotten.

In this “riveting man-vs.-nature story and compelling tribute to those who perished” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), journalist Amanda M. Fairbanks seeks out the reasons why an event more than three decades old remains so startlingly vivid in people’s minds. She explores the ways in which deep, lasting grief can alter people’s memories. And she shines a light on the powerful and sometimes painful dynamics between fathers and sons, as well as the secrets that can haunt families from beyond the grave.

Almost lost me in the middle

Growing up in the town and knowing many of the characters it was harder to enjoy some of the embellishment and idolization of the situation. There were many young people of the time pushing boundaries and driving change.

I also found the constant references to street names and minor details distracting and reminds the reader that the description of from an outsider trying to place themselves in a place that is more complex and simple than it appears on the map.

Robotic Voice

The story line was good but the voice sounded like a computer generated voice making listening to a good story somewhat difficult.

Great summer read with deep history and pulls on your heartstrings...

For many east end locals this book can seem contentious, sometimes touching to close to home for a not so distance past. But there is another beautiful side to this story, the story of a determined, hardworking community of fisherman. Deep with local history, this provides a glimpse into the real daily life of local Montauk fisherman and the families and loved ones who depend on them. A story that needs to be read (heard)!

extremely average

I especially disliked the tedious descriptions, e.g. "Tab was a popular soft drink", "Tom Selleck was an actor with a mustache that played a detective", etc.

Good story horrible narration

Can’t believe Audible hired this narrator. A really good story flattened by robotic emotionless narration. Ug