Scan barcode
martha_sammut's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
casachess's review
1.0
This book has such a high rating, and now having read it, I'm really surprised. It's not the worst book I've ever read, and on the positive side, I did think the author captured captures nicely the chaos of the sinking while still sticking to the facts and not sensationalizing or demonizing people (looking at you, James Cameron). But that was about it as far as the good goes.
The characters all rotate POVs throughout the book, and for the most part, they seem pretty one dimensional. The dialogue is ridiculous - it sounds like these are people living in 2012, not 1912, and so that was annoying. There wasn't much of a time when I felt like I had really been transported to the setting, whether it was the Titanic, the Carpathia, or 1912 New York.
Then there was what happened to the characters afterwards. It was all so ridiculous, sometimes over-the-top, or overly sentimental and schlocky. These included a murder mystery, an attempted murder, a woman with the "second sight" who begins practicing spiritualism, and a romance and marriage. Everything at the end got wrapped up a little too neatly for me too, and then there was the epilogue. Dear God, the epilogue. These were fictional characters, but the epilogue was written as though they were real and the author was describing historical events. It was short, rushed, and some of what was described was simply not believable based on what had been written before.
I was looking forward to reading this book, because not many books or movies delve into the idea of what it would be like AFTER surviving something like the Titanic. But this one was a miss, for me.
The characters all rotate POVs throughout the book, and for the most part, they seem pretty one dimensional. The dialogue is ridiculous - it sounds like these are people living in 2012, not 1912, and so that was annoying. There wasn't much of a time when I felt like I had really been transported to the setting, whether it was the Titanic, the Carpathia, or 1912 New York.
Then there was what happened to the characters afterwards. It was all so ridiculous, sometimes over-the-top, or overly sentimental and schlocky. These included a murder mystery, an attempted murder, a woman with the "second sight" who begins practicing spiritualism, and a romance and marriage. Everything at the end got wrapped up a little too neatly for me too, and then there was the epilogue. Dear God, the epilogue. These were fictional characters, but the epilogue was written as though they were real and the author was describing historical events. It was short, rushed, and some of what was described was simply not believable based on what had been written before.
I was looking forward to reading this book, because not many books or movies delve into the idea of what it would be like AFTER surviving something like the Titanic. But this one was a miss, for me.
alisonfrenzel's review
4.0
I picked up this book after enjoying Gill Paul's The Secret Wife (although this one was much better), and unknowingly started reading it on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. This story explores not only the terror of the sinking, but what the lives of the survivors may have looked like afterward. Gil Paul is a meticulous historian and her books reveal that. At the end of each book, she generously points out the facts and those she look liberty with--which I love. A great book to get lost in!
thesincoucher's review against another edition
3.0
I found the story fascinating and the characters were discernible one from the other, which is not easy because in a ship like the Titanic there are plenty. I was glued to the page for the most part and I think the suspense is really well maintained throughout the book. However, I did find that the female characters didn't have as much good will from the author as the male characters did. They are vilified for doing less bad things or just equally bad than the male characters while the latter are forgiven by the narrative in one way or another.
joabroda's review
medium-paced
3.0
he book follows 4 passengers from the Titanic, as they try to get on with their lives after the disaster.
Reg-a first class steward, an all around good guy who struggles with the loss of his best friend
Lady Juliette-A young British woman of good breeding, who is traveling to America to hide a pregnancy
Annie-An Irish woman traveling alone with her 4 children to join her husband in America
Margaret and George-an American couple returning home after visiting Europe
This was a fast, fairly light read with a a good story. The writing isn't spectacular, but for a HF/Romance/ Mystery it held it's own. It was nearly a 4 star read for me, until the last third of the book. The ending to each persons story seemed a bit far-fetched to me and that annoyed me enough to cut it down to 3 stars.
Reg-a first class steward, an all around good guy who struggles with the loss of his best friend
Lady Juliette-A young British woman of good breeding, who is traveling to America to hide a pregnancy
Annie-An Irish woman traveling alone with her 4 children to join her husband in America
Margaret and George-an American couple returning home after visiting Europe
This was a fast, fairly light read with a a good story. The writing isn't spectacular, but for a HF/Romance/ Mystery it held it's own. It was nearly a 4 star read for me, until the last third of the book. The ending to each persons story seemed a bit far-fetched to me and that annoyed me enough to cut it down to 3 stars.
joabroda's review against another edition
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
The book follows 4 passengers from the Titanic, as they try to get on with their lives after the disaster.
Reg-a first class steward, an all around good guy who struggles with the loss of his best friend
Lady Juliette-A young British woman of good breeding, who is traveling to America to hide a pregnancy
Annie-An Irish woman traveling alone with her 4 children to join her husband in America
Margaret and George-an American couple returning home after visiting Europe
This was a fast, fairly light read with a a good story. The writing isn't spectacular, but for a HF/Romance/ Mystery it held it's own. It was nearly a 4 star read for me, until the last third of the book. The ending to each persons story seemed a bit far-fetched to me and that annoyed me enough to cut it down to 3 stars. (less)
Reg-a first class steward, an all around good guy who struggles with the loss of his best friend
Lady Juliette-A young British woman of good breeding, who is traveling to America to hide a pregnancy
Annie-An Irish woman traveling alone with her 4 children to join her husband in America
Margaret and George-an American couple returning home after visiting Europe
This was a fast, fairly light read with a a good story. The writing isn't spectacular, but for a HF/Romance/ Mystery it held it's own. It was nearly a 4 star read for me, until the last third of the book. The ending to each persons story seemed a bit far-fetched to me and that annoyed me enough to cut it down to 3 stars. (less)
leighannsherwin's review
4.0
After reading the author's non fiction book on honeymoon couples on the Titanic which was excellent I decided to try her fictional account of the ships doomed voyage. We follow several characters, Reg a steward in the first class dining room, Juliette a titled English girl who is unmarried and pregnant and who's mother is trying to find her a husband before her reputation is ruined. There are the Graylings, an older married couple who have a strained marriage since the death of their only child. Mr. Grayling has snuck his beautiful young mistress on board unknown to his wife and finally there's Annie a third class passengers who is travelling with her four children to meet her husband in New York. Part one and about half the book is about life on the ship. Reg spots Mr. Grayling and his mistress on deck one night and struggles with telling his wife, since she is a longtime favourite passenger of his. He also deals with a filtarious young woman who costs him half his wages. He also interacts with Annie finding two of her children running around the ship where they aren't supposed to be and waits on Juliette and her mother. I personally would've liked it a but better if the characters were a crew member and one from each class but that's a small issue. When the sinking occurs everything is thrown into turmoil. Mrs. Grayling is nowhere to be found and her stateroom is locked, but her husband and his mistress both board a lifeboat together. Annie struggles to find her way up to the boats and loses one of her children in the crowd, and Reg risks his life to try to save him. Only Juliette and her mother have a drama free escape. In the aftermath, Reg makes a choice that will haunt him and cause him as much trauma as the sinking itself, Mr. Grayling grapples with guilt and the scorn of others who wonder how he survived but his wife didn't, and there are rumours of foul play that the sinking didn't kill his wife. Juliette finds love, but it comes too late and she just hide her condition anyway, Annie suffers terribly with the loss but she makes connections with many other survivors and offers them comfort. We mostly follow Reg, and while his story was interesting, a few things were far fetched like a poor family coming to New York to track him down especially given that the family in question wasn't that closed to the man lost on the ship, and the whole car accident was a bit much. I hated Venetia with a passion and Mr. Grayling too until the final pages when the truth about that fateful night finally comes out. It was a good story, heartbreaking at times, but you did get to know and love or hate the characters to the point where I dreaded the night of the sinking because I knew not all of them would make it. It ends with a wrap up of what happened to the survivors, and a short summary of what really happened that night. A good fictional account of the sinking and the effect it had on those who survived it.
daisyheadmaesie's review
4.0
4.5 White Star Liners out of 5
Gill Paul succeeds with flying colours in creating characters you instantly latch onto. Reg Parton, a first-class steward and the main character among a handful of other Titanic survivors you follow throughout, is so humble and personable you can't help but feel for him every step of the way. The story begins on the first day of the fatal journey across the Atlantic. The largest component of the book is actually the aftermath of the sinking, the relentless guilt felt by the living-- Why were the boats only half full on one side? Could I have done more? Is this list of the dead accurate? Will I ever be able to face the open waters again?-- and the repercussions such a traumatic experience can have on someone who is already so lost in this foreign country called America.
When I was young, I was fascinated (borderline obsessed) with the Titanic, and I'm so happy that I finally found a book that I just as easily became fascinated about. While I'm not sure how much was historical and how much was fiction in this one, the historical fiction, mystery, and love story genres blend together seamlessly to recount one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. The pace is perfect, the plotlines never too guessable, and the writing was pleasant. At nearly 500 pages, it seems a long read, but I was so enthralled that I managed it in less than 24 hours. This is the fastest I've ever read a book. I've never even read a Harry Potter book that quickly. Two thumbs up!
Gill Paul succeeds with flying colours in creating characters you instantly latch onto. Reg Parton, a first-class steward and the main character among a handful of other Titanic survivors you follow throughout, is so humble and personable you can't help but feel for him every step of the way. The story begins on the first day of the fatal journey across the Atlantic. The largest component of the book is actually the aftermath of the sinking, the relentless guilt felt by the living-- Why were the boats only half full on one side? Could I have done more? Is this list of the dead accurate? Will I ever be able to face the open waters again?-- and the repercussions such a traumatic experience can have on someone who is already so lost in this foreign country called America.
When I was young, I was fascinated (borderline obsessed) with the Titanic, and I'm so happy that I finally found a book that I just as easily became fascinated about. While I'm not sure how much was historical and how much was fiction in this one, the historical fiction, mystery, and love story genres blend together seamlessly to recount one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. The pace is perfect, the plotlines never too guessable, and the writing was pleasant. At nearly 500 pages, it seems a long read, but I was so enthralled that I managed it in less than 24 hours. This is the fastest I've ever read a book. I've never even read a Harry Potter book that quickly. Two thumbs up!
bookswithtess's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Is it just me, or are these people having a strange amount of luck when they get to America? At least Reg. And Juliette. It eventually became a little unbelievable.
It dragged out. Certain parts I didn’t see the significance with.
But, it’s a good book, with great focus on the Titanic and the events after the crash, and especially post-traumatic stress syndrome. 👍🏼
Is it just me, or are these people having a strange amount of luck when they get to America? At least Reg. And Juliette. It eventually became a little unbelievable.
It dragged out. Certain parts I didn’t see the significance with.
But, it’s a good book, with great focus on the Titanic and the events after the crash, and especially post-traumatic stress syndrome. 👍🏼
More...