English Summary/英文概要： Devlin Stead grows up a lonely orphan in late 19th century Newfoundland. When he begins receiving letters from the esteemed but mysterious explorer Dr. Frederick Cook, they entirely change his understanding of who he is and what he might become. Invited by Dr. Cook to become his apprentice, Dev eagerly heads for New York City, where he is introduced into society and joins his mentor in epic attempts to reach the North Pole before Cook’s archrival Robert Edwin Peary. When Dev is thrust into international controversy, he must master a series of revelations about his family that will determine his fate.

In spellbinding prose, the author of the acclaimed Colony of Unrequited Dreams recreates the romance, the politics and the peril of the legendary race for the North Pole. Brilliantly rooted in history, The Navigator of New York is a fascinating exploration of the quest for discovery, and how it is remembered.

Chinese Summary/中文概要： 小說中的主角Devlin Stead，是一個來自紐芬蘭的年輕人。他五歲的時候，母親離奇死亡，在他發現他真實身世之前，一直過著孤獨的童年生活。而這個發現改變了他一生的命運，他不僅找到了自己的親生父親，而且冒著難以置信的危險開始了他的航海旅程，他的冒險為他帶來了名譽和愛情，整個紐約社會都為他歡呼喝彩，他更發現了 Robert Peary 和 Frederick Cook之間長期不和的真正原因。
本小說以人類征服北極的歷史為背景，以人物神秘而悲慘的身世為線索，在北極皚皚冰原與紐約浮華塵世之間，揭示了人性的高貴與卑微，故事耐人尋味，懸念迭生，扣人心弦。
作者擅長描寫景色，他筆下的世紀交接的紐約令人神往，北極的風情卻更難於忘懷……(WZ & KC)

Awards/获奖情况： 加拿大作協小說獎
加拿大最重要文學獎——總督文學獎提名
國際都柏林文學獎
英聯邦最佳作品獎

2002年吉勒文學獎，2002年總督文學獎提名獎，2003年英聯邦最佳作品獎及2004年國際都柏林文學獎

評論：
“他擅長描寫景色，刻畫人物，故事耐人尋味。”---——《書單》

“對人類發現與探索的天性，對人性的高貴與卑微均有深入探索。北極探險賦予小說極大的敍事張力，歷史場景把握細緻。這是截至目前他最為出色的作品。”---——《出版人週刊》

“韋恩·約翰斯頓是繼莫迪凱·裏奇勒之後加拿大最出色的作家。”---——《環球郵報》

"A novel of cavernous complexity that nevertheless doesn’t overwhelm the reader, who can repose in pure narrative without second thoughts--[an] eloquent anti-epic."---Luc Sante, New York Times Book Review

"Wayne Johnston is a brilliant and accomplished writer and his Newfoundland--boots and boats, rough politics and rough country, history and journalism during the wild Smallwood years is vivid and sharp."---Annie Proulx 斷臂山作者

"Gorgeously written--Immensely readable--."---Seattle Times

"Charles Dickens would have greatly admired Johnston’s style and humor--And the old master would have envied the vivid scenes Johnston draws of Smallwood’s impoverished boyhood."---Houston Chronicle

"Brilliantly realized--There’s an epic quality to The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, and it may well be referred to, before long, as the quintessential Newfoundland novel."---San Diego Union Tribune

"Splendid...entertaining...Rich and complex, it offers Dickensian pleasures."---Andrea Barrett