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b_morganbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I was really eager to read this because I’ve never read a book about titanic and I only really know Jack and Rose’s story. This showed the tragic accident from another point of view and I really enjoyed reading about it. However, it took a long time to get to the best bits and in my opinion, it didn’t need as much detail in the first half. It seemed to drag like mad and then suddenly it was all over.
The way the mother cared for her son’s was inspiring and I found it easy to put myself in her shoes when she was without them as the writing was very immersive. The book was obviously very well researched too.
I must admit, I found the ending slightly disappointing. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it didn’t live up to what I hoped for. The overall journey was enjoyable though and I’m glad I read it.
The way the mother cared for her son’s was inspiring and I found it easy to put myself in her shoes when she was without them as the writing was very immersive. The book was obviously very well researched too.
I must admit, I found the ending slightly disappointing. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it didn’t live up to what I hoped for. The overall journey was enjoyable though and I’m glad I read it.
whatrhisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
sascott624's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sprockette's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
taimcpherson's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't realise this was based on real survivors of the Titanic until the very end, which was good as I didn't really know how it was going to end. It took a while to get going but it was wonderfully written and I didn't want to put it down.
tamsynh's review against another edition
3.0
We follow Marcella, a young woman who filed for divorce from her abusive and quite frankly narcissistic husband, triggering a series events which leave her fighting for, and eventually searching for, her children.
The characters were extremely believable, the relationships between them had depth and overall they were written in a way that made them relatable.
The main events don’t start until about 60% into the book. Up until that point we’re talking slow (VERY SLOW) burn. Then we get to the titanic element of the story and it all seems to be over so very quickly. To me, the main ‘meat’ of the book was all wrong. There was only so many times we needed to see Michael treat Marcella like dirt to understand he was a nasty man.
This isn’t a book or a story about the titanic, but the titanic does feature in it. As an aside, the title seems rather amiss - what storm? There was no storm, the ‘orphans’ became so due to an iceberg, not a storm. It seems a very odd choice of title, unless it refers to the ‘storm’ that brews between their parents perhaps?
The writing style, especially descriptive elements, to me, felt like someone trying to design a film set or TV series. It was like Imrie was trying to tell someone what it should look like rather than what it was like - which felt a little disingenuous and ‘externalising’ to me at times. It made it difficult to be immersed in the story. Perhaps that’s the actor in her coming through.
It’s worth the read. It’s captivating at times, engaging and it is really quite easy to connect with the characters. If you’re into character driven historical fiction, a slow burn and long build up to ‘the main events’ - this one is probably for you!
The characters were extremely believable, the relationships between them had depth and overall they were written in a way that made them relatable.
The main events don’t start until about 60% into the book. Up until that point we’re talking slow (VERY SLOW) burn. Then we get to the titanic element of the story and it all seems to be over so very quickly. To me, the main ‘meat’ of the book was all wrong. There was only so many times we needed to see Michael treat Marcella like dirt to understand he was a nasty man.
This isn’t a book or a story about the titanic, but the titanic does feature in it. As an aside, the title seems rather amiss - what storm? There was no storm, the ‘orphans’ became so due to an iceberg, not a storm. It seems a very odd choice of title, unless it refers to the ‘storm’ that brews between their parents perhaps?
The writing style, especially descriptive elements, to me, felt like someone trying to design a film set or TV series. It was like Imrie was trying to tell someone what it should look like rather than what it was like - which felt a little disingenuous and ‘externalising’ to me at times. It made it difficult to be immersed in the story. Perhaps that’s the actor in her coming through.
It’s worth the read. It’s captivating at times, engaging and it is really quite easy to connect with the characters. If you’re into character driven historical fiction, a slow burn and long build up to ‘the main events’ - this one is probably for you!
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
4.0
A deeply poignant and heart wrenching tale based, not only on real life events but real people, too—albeit fictional versions. Set both in Nice, France and on board the doomed maiden voyage of the Titanic.
Set in 1911, after three years of marriage Marcella Carretto has decided to divorce her cruel and controlling husband, Michael. But while awaiting the judges’ decision on the custody of their two children, Michael receives news that changes everything.
Meanwhile, fun loving New York socialite, Margaret Hays has grown bored of her Grand Tour Of Europe and decides to head home on the most famous steamer ever built—RMS Titanic.
As the ship sets sail for America, carrying two children bearing false names, the lives of Marcella, Michael and Margaret cross—and nothing will ever be the same again.
I really enjoyed this one, it was undeniably gripping and had me emotionally invested in the fates of Imrie’s characters, particularly Marcella and her young sons.
The level of historical detail was absolutely incredible, it was easy to tell that Celia Imrie had done extensive research on the topic. The characters were also written incredibly well and imbued with the humanity (and flaws) that I found brought realism to their narrative.
It’s told from three separate POVs- Marcella, Michael and Margaret. The first half of the book starts with Marcella’s POV and chronicles the start and eventual deterioration of Marcella and Michael’s marriage—I found it quite slow at first but the pace does pickup in the second half.
Overall a pretty solid read!
Though Celine Dion wasn’t singing during the Titanic scenes (or the aftermath), nor was there a Jack or a Rose—I couldn’t help but cry several times whilst reading this, so—if emotionally charged historical fiction is your thing, then I thoroughly recommend you check this out.
Also, a Massive thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the ARC.
Set in 1911, after three years of marriage Marcella Carretto has decided to divorce her cruel and controlling husband, Michael. But while awaiting the judges’ decision on the custody of their two children, Michael receives news that changes everything.
Meanwhile, fun loving New York socialite, Margaret Hays has grown bored of her Grand Tour Of Europe and decides to head home on the most famous steamer ever built—RMS Titanic.
As the ship sets sail for America, carrying two children bearing false names, the lives of Marcella, Michael and Margaret cross—and nothing will ever be the same again.
I really enjoyed this one, it was undeniably gripping and had me emotionally invested in the fates of Imrie’s characters, particularly Marcella and her young sons.
The level of historical detail was absolutely incredible, it was easy to tell that Celia Imrie had done extensive research on the topic. The characters were also written incredibly well and imbued with the humanity (and flaws) that I found brought realism to their narrative.
It’s told from three separate POVs- Marcella, Michael and Margaret. The first half of the book starts with Marcella’s POV and chronicles the start and eventual deterioration of Marcella and Michael’s marriage—I found it quite slow at first but the pace does pickup in the second half.
Overall a pretty solid read!
Though Celine Dion wasn’t singing during the Titanic scenes (or the aftermath), nor was there a Jack or a Rose—I couldn’t help but cry several times whilst reading this, so—if emotionally charged historical fiction is your thing, then I thoroughly recommend you check this out.
Also, a Massive thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the ARC.
karlamcclatchey's review against another edition
5.0
What a stunning historical tale. This beautiful story is set primarily in early 1900s Nice, based on the Navratil story, their difficult marriage and Marcella's petition for divorce due to her ill treatment ove there husbands petty jealousies concerning other men and indeed their own infant sons. There are a host of wonderful characters, some sinister and spiteful and others more sympathetic. Eventually the tale lapses onto the infamous Titanic. The breathtaking descriptions of life on ship and the harrowing scenes during its demise are riveting. I was astounded by how many "facts" around the Titanic were mere gossip strengthened by false newspaper claims. So much of the story and the characters are based on superb historical research, which makes this book so powerful . An epic story. #celiaimrie #netgalley #bloomsbury