Barrett's 'Ship Fever: Stories' is one of those collections that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. I stumbled upon it years ago while browsing a used bookstore, and the historical depth of stories like 'The English Pupil' just blew me away. As for finding it free online—I’ve hunted for legit options myself, but most sites offering it for 'free' are sketchy piracy hubs. Your best bet is checking if your local library has a digital copy through OverDrive or Libby. Some universities also provide access via academic databases if you’re affiliated. The audiobook version occasionally pops up on platforms like Hoopla too, which is library-supported and totally legal.
That said, if you’re tight on cash, keep an eye out for giveaways or used copies on ThriftBooks. The titular story about the 1847 typhus epidemic is worth every penny—it’s visceral and haunting in a way only Barrett can pull off. I’d hate for anyone to miss out because of dodgy downloads, y’know?