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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Interesting look at the brief relationship of Madeleine and Jack Astor. Nice period piece.
This book read well; the author's words made it very visual, but I really had a problem with the 30-year age gap between Madeline and Jack. Just weird. Regardless of the era, I'm shocked her family didn't mind. A lot of the story was focused on the paparazzi's obsession with the main characters which I suppose is not unlike any famous couple/family. Their experience on Titanic paralleled the movie. The ending was a little flat, left me wanting to know more, which, thanks to the internet, I was able to get.
A good work of historical fiction which led me, at the conclusion of the book, to search out more info on the family.
I recommend.
A good work of historical fiction which led me, at the conclusion of the book, to search out more info on the family.
I recommend.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This honestly doesn't fit the theme of anything lol but I've kinda lost the plot on that this month anyway so who cares. I read this because Tmo recommended it which is honestly crazy and makes it clear she doesn't know what I normally read lol.
this was honestly a super interesting read purely because of the history in it, and the research that the author did was very clear throughout the writing. this wasn't someone writing historical fiction, this was someone paying honor to a very delicate time in history and the ways that it effected those who were close to the titanic. I think by the story following Madeline throughout her whole time knowing her future husband was a really nice touch. I dunno, I've got a headache and the third graders I'm with today are trying my slight grasp on reality lol, like I don't think I can explain it as clearly as I want but I really enjoyed that the romance was the whole of it because it meant that the grief was so much bigger than you intend. With her being the 'second Mrs. Astor' there is differently a complicated relationship within her marriage and their society- ugh I don't know how to say this. basically, and bluntly: I like that this whole thing is a fuck you to the idea that she only loved him for his money. like, I dunno how much the author actually knew her protagonist or interviewed her, but it's killer to me that throughout the whole story love is the key part and not money- the money is just something that tries to divide them more than anything.
I loved the dog, Kitty, and I loved her sister. all the characters were really fleshed out and I don't know if that's because they were, like, real people that was easy to research or if that came just with personal thought from the author.
It was a sad read, too, but I really liked how the author set up the start of chapters to be her writing to her son because it made it feel more real and tangible.
I dunno, maybe no sleep and subbing children is not a good mix lol but it was a good read. I don't think I'll ever get a physical copy or read it again, but if anyone asked for a historical romance or a book on the titanic I'd lead them here.
this was honestly a super interesting read purely because of the history in it, and the research that the author did was very clear throughout the writing. this wasn't someone writing historical fiction, this was someone paying honor to a very delicate time in history and the ways that it effected those who were close to the titanic. I think by the story following Madeline throughout her whole time knowing her future husband was a really nice touch. I dunno, I've got a headache and the third graders I'm with today are trying my slight grasp on reality lol, like I don't think I can explain it as clearly as I want but I really enjoyed that the romance was the whole of it because it meant that the grief was so much bigger than you intend. With her being the 'second Mrs. Astor' there is differently a complicated relationship within her marriage and their society- ugh I don't know how to say this. basically, and bluntly: I like that this whole thing is a fuck you to the idea that she only loved him for his money. like, I dunno how much the author actually knew her protagonist or interviewed her, but it's killer to me that throughout the whole story love is the key part and not money- the money is just something that tries to divide them more than anything.
I loved the dog, Kitty, and I loved her sister. all the characters were really fleshed out and I don't know if that's because they were, like, real people that was easy to research or if that came just with personal thought from the author.
It was a sad read, too, but I really liked how the author set up the start of chapters to be her writing to her son because it made it feel more real and tangible.
I dunno, maybe no sleep and subbing children is not a good mix lol but it was a good read. I don't think I'll ever get a physical copy or read it again, but if anyone asked for a historical romance or a book on the titanic I'd lead them here.
Nothing against the author, it’s just that the protagonist of this story just isn’t terribly interesting.
emotional
sad
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I really, REALLY wanted to give this book a higher rating, because what we got was good, but I really feel like this could have gone so much further, been so much more than it was. Shana Abé weaves the story of Madeleine Force and her romance and marriage to Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, framed in her writing the story down for their infant son, and she does a brilliant job in the box she placed herself in. All the same, I felt like the book could have been more than it was, that it might have been better served of telling Madeleine’s whole life, not just this incredibly short part of it. I think it would have made this part all the more compelling, seeing Madeleine finding the strength to carry on and even find love again, as I think Jack would have wanted her to do.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced