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womanvsbooks's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sheltzer's review against another edition
4.0
I do love Gill Paul's writing and the Titanic never fails to fascinate. This book dragged a bit in the middle, but I enjoyed the different perspectives and experiences of the survivors.
helenwhite83's review against another edition
5.0
Women and Children First is a poignant tale told from the perspective of three very different survivors of the Titanic disaster.
Reg Parton is a member of the first class victualling crew from a humble Southampton background. Boarding the Titanic, he leaves his family and his love, Florence, behind, proud to be serving on the unsinkable ship.
Lady Juliette Mason-Parker, an English rose with a scandalous secret, is crossing the Atlantic with her mother, who relishes in the company of the high society darlings on board.
Annie McGeownis uprooting her four children from Ireland to make a fresh start with her husband Seamus in New York. When tragedy befalls the family, she struggles to rise above her grief.
As the three stories entwine and the fateful journey unfolds, we follow the characters as they each struggle with their lives post-Titanic.
Having always been fascinated by the story of the Titanic, Women and Children First was an obvious choice for me. Paul tackles the subject with dignity, refusing to sensationalise the tragedy for entertainments sake. We see Reg, struggling to adapt to his life post-Titanic, and following his story I truly felt that his could be the story of many a survivor, wracked with the guilt of being one of the few to return to their loved ones. Annie's story was the only one that I felt unsettled by - I felt that the spiritual side of it bordered on sensationalism, although that was more the storyline rather than Paul's depiction of it. However, i do imagine it to be quite conceivable that charlatans may have emerged out of the tragedy, looking to exploit grieving families.
All in all, this was a pacy read that had me well and truly snared from the off. It may well have been the first offering I've read from Paul, but it certainly won't be the last!
Reg Parton is a member of the first class victualling crew from a humble Southampton background. Boarding the Titanic, he leaves his family and his love, Florence, behind, proud to be serving on the unsinkable ship.
Lady Juliette Mason-Parker, an English rose with a scandalous secret, is crossing the Atlantic with her mother, who relishes in the company of the high society darlings on board.
Annie McGeownis uprooting her four children from Ireland to make a fresh start with her husband Seamus in New York. When tragedy befalls the family, she struggles to rise above her grief.
As the three stories entwine and the fateful journey unfolds, we follow the characters as they each struggle with their lives post-Titanic.
Having always been fascinated by the story of the Titanic, Women and Children First was an obvious choice for me. Paul tackles the subject with dignity, refusing to sensationalise the tragedy for entertainments sake. We see Reg, struggling to adapt to his life post-Titanic, and following his story I truly felt that his could be the story of many a survivor, wracked with the guilt of being one of the few to return to their loved ones. Annie's story was the only one that I felt unsettled by - I felt that the spiritual side of it bordered on sensationalism, although that was more the storyline rather than Paul's depiction of it. However, i do imagine it to be quite conceivable that charlatans may have emerged out of the tragedy, looking to exploit grieving families.
All in all, this was a pacy read that had me well and truly snared from the off. It may well have been the first offering I've read from Paul, but it certainly won't be the last!
wordshaker12's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I’m so conflicted because the sinking and emotional aftermath element was done really well but I didn’t care so much for the second half, mystery element or characters other than Reg.
I’m so conflicted because the sinking and emotional aftermath element was done really well but I didn’t care so much for the second half, mystery element or characters other than Reg.
mtthplc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
fergusoncarissa1996's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the story and thought it was very well written. I didn't enjoy the Irish mother as much after the first half of the book but I still enjoyed it.
kiercarnahan's review against another edition
3.0
This is not the titanic book I expected. When the boat sank 22% in I didn't know where it was going to next. It was 3 different stories tied into one. I liked the characters and stories, I just needed a more defined storyline. Reg's storyline seemed the most defined.
jay_mack9712's review against another edition
5.0
I love everything Titanic ! And this was exactly what I wanted for such a book! I enjoyed that it was from 4 different perspectives, and they were all different classes on the Titanic! I thoroughly enjoyed all the parts that were on Titanic as usual. But I actually enjoyed the after affects way more than I thoughts. You always read stories about how they get on the ship and then it sinks and survive or they don't and most stories just end with them getting off in New York. It was excellently well written about how each character dealt with the different trauma, how they coped and how they rebuilt their lives afterwards.
I enjoyed this book some that it was hard to put it down! I will easily be coming back to re read the story again.
I enjoyed this book some that it was hard to put it down! I will easily be coming back to re read the story again.
tillymint100's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful book, came recommended by my sister and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bit sad now i've finished it. Will definitely recommend to others.