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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you so much to Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a a honest review! All opinions are mine.
Alright y’all, buckle in. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was really well written historical fiction, but I was frustrated throughout a lot of it because of the way it was represented in the subtitle, the cover, and the description. I felt like they marketed it as “A Novel of the Titanic” to maybe spark more interest than the title or subject matter would by itself. In my opinion, I don’t think it needed that, as Madeline’s story stands on it’s own, and unfortunately my feelings about the book suffered because of the way it was portrayed.
This book fictionalizes the early life of Madeline Force and her courtship with, and ultimate marriage to, Colonel JJ Astor (of “richest man alive” Titanic fame). I was expecting the majority of this book to focus on their voyage on the Titanic, but in reality, that was only about 50 of the 300 pages. Putting that aside, the author paints a striking picture of New York City in the gilded age, and the scrutiny that so many young women faced while trying to navigate society in that time. I was particularly fascinated by the way Madeline was viewed as a social climber for marrying into an old money family like the Astors, despite being a well bred and wealthy girl herself. I had a tough time buying into the love story, probably because their age difference is just viewed so differently 100 years later.
Alright y’all, buckle in. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was really well written historical fiction, but I was frustrated throughout a lot of it because of the way it was represented in the subtitle, the cover, and the description. I felt like they marketed it as “A Novel of the Titanic” to maybe spark more interest than the title or subject matter would by itself. In my opinion, I don’t think it needed that, as Madeline’s story stands on it’s own, and unfortunately my feelings about the book suffered because of the way it was portrayed.
This book fictionalizes the early life of Madeline Force and her courtship with, and ultimate marriage to, Colonel JJ Astor (of “richest man alive” Titanic fame). I was expecting the majority of this book to focus on their voyage on the Titanic, but in reality, that was only about 50 of the 300 pages. Putting that aside, the author paints a striking picture of New York City in the gilded age, and the scrutiny that so many young women faced while trying to navigate society in that time. I was particularly fascinated by the way Madeline was viewed as a social climber for marrying into an old money family like the Astors, despite being a well bred and wealthy girl herself. I had a tough time buying into the love story, probably because their age difference is just viewed so differently 100 years later.
I do not like to read WWII historical fiction and I need to add Titanic historical fiction to that list too. I knew with this being a story of the Titanic how it would all end. I know John Jacob Astor IV did not survive and this book is about his second wife, obviously, who did survive. This book has been all around my Facebook historical fiction groups so I decided to read it. This book is Madeleine telling her story to her son who will never know his father. So Madeleine is 17 when Colonel Astor, 46, takes a fancy to her. They married in September 1911 and and the Titanic sank in April 1912. I think the author did a good job with how everything happened. Obviously I cried. Very sad. You cannot have a Titanic book without including the unsinkable Molly Brown and she is in this one.
"It was the not knowing, not knowing, that was slowly cleaving her heart in two."
"It was the not knowing, not knowing, that was slowly cleaving her heart in two."
3.5 stars. The first half wasn’t really what I was expecting. I read about 25% then skimmed through to just about halfway and found the second half to be more interesting. It was missing something for me. I was expecting to hear more about the Astors onboard the Titanic as that is what the title seemed to suggest. The first half focuses more on how Madeleine and Jack Astor come together. I felt like it was a bit repetitive… will they get together? Won’t they get together? Does he like her? Doesn’t he like her? Also, I felt that the point of the media always being on top of them got through well before the author stopped mentioning it. The second half focuses on the couple boarding the Titanic and their fate afterwards. I wish this part went into more detail about their days onboard before that terrible night. Even the last moments they had together could have been told at more length. Compared to the first half of the book, the second half went too quickly. A good story, I just wish the focus was on a different angle.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A hauntingly beautiful love story. Though I often found myself cringing at her age, and their age difference, I realize it was no fault of the author. It's based in truth and a different time in history. We so often time read about the powerful men who perished that fateful night, so hearing the perspective of a wealthy young woman, as well as her backstory leading up to that event (and those to come), was unique and fresh. This was written with the same grace, Madeleine herself showed throughout her time prior to and after becoming Mrs. JJ Astor, and I am truly glad to have ready this work of historical fiction. This fictional version of her story was emotional and lovely.
Eh, not great to be honest. Relationship was really rushed. More time was spent describing their Africa visit than their time on the titanic. It's interesting knowing it's based on a real person. But would not read again