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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
I enjoy books about shipwrecks. A story about “The Titanic of the South” sounded like something I’d enjoy. This book switches between 3 points of view…current day, and two points of view during the disaster in 1838. Main character in present day is a descendant of one of the survivors, so we get the racism of Savannah’s older, plantation owning families. And the pov of two white women in the past just was uncomfortable.
"Who lives, who dies, who tells your story..."
Told both in the moment from several lenses and 180 years later in the artifact discovery and creation of a museum exhibit about the boiler explosion and sinking of the Pulaski steamboat, Surviving Savannah is about intertwined stories and not just surviving but genuinely living after a traumatic event. When everything is supposed to be very prosaic and routine, and then suddenly isn't, we have choices to make. I love Patti's deep dives and the way she writes places, in this case including some incredibly tactile descriptions of days in a lifeboat or afloat on flotsam, and an underwater dive to the shipwreck.
Bonus: Karl the Kraken, the Bookmarks mascot, approves. His kin (or himself? kraken are remarkably long-lived) make an appearance on page 2.
Told both in the moment from several lenses and 180 years later in the artifact discovery and creation of a museum exhibit about the boiler explosion and sinking of the Pulaski steamboat, Surviving Savannah is about intertwined stories and not just surviving but genuinely living after a traumatic event. When everything is supposed to be very prosaic and routine, and then suddenly isn't, we have choices to make. I love Patti's deep dives and the way she writes places, in this case including some incredibly tactile descriptions of days in a lifeboat or afloat on flotsam, and an underwater dive to the shipwreck.
Bonus: Karl the Kraken, the Bookmarks mascot, approves. His kin (or himself? kraken are remarkably long-lived) make an appearance on page 2.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the story of the steamship Pulaski which exploded in 1838, killing nearly all of its passengers. However, about 20-30 survived, and this novel fictionalizes the stories of some of the survivors. Additionally, it is told in present day, through the story of Everly Winthrop, a professor and a consultant to the museum. Everly is asked to curate an exhibit on the Pulaski. She is hesitant to do so because Oliver, the fiancé of Everly's best friend, Mora, asked. Mora died just over a year ago, and Everly is still grieving.
The story of the passengers was interesting, as was Everly's determination to tell their story. However, I felt the story took a very long time to tell, and could have been shorter.
The story of the passengers was interesting, as was Everly's determination to tell their story. However, I felt the story took a very long time to tell, and could have been shorter.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Exquisite! Ten Stars and Best Historical Fiction of 2021. Movie-worthy.
I finished SURVIVING SAVANNAH in two sittings and speechless! EXTRAORDINARY!! Hands down, the BEST historical fiction I have ever had the opportunity to read!
I knew NYT bestselling author, Patti Callahan was a master storyteller but this one is her best and a true gem. The best-kept hidden secret. I have had the opportunity of reading all her books. She was truly meant to tell this mesmerizing story, inspired by true events.
The Pulaski, known as the "Titanic of the South" included Savannah's society, a wealthy family of eleven and some servants, boarded to leave the heat of the South for Maryland. Some with many secrets and shame. The ship was not equipped for a boiler explosion in 1838. How would they survive?
Now, 180 years later the wreckage was discovered off the coast of Wilmington, NC. Now Savannah's history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski remains.
However, Everly has experienced a loss of her own and still grieving. She is obsessed with the lives of those who lost their lives and somehow feels she must seek the answers in order to survive herself. Her answers may be closer than she could have imagined.
From past to present, SURVIVING SAVANNAH is elegantly written, lyrical, emotional, meticulously researched, and a perfect blending of fact and fiction. Rich in detail, character, and history —a captivating tale, intricately woven of survival, love, and loss with three courageous women you will root for.
"How will we survive the surviving?" What happens when tragedy occurs and your loved one is lost? Gone forever. There are no do-overs. How will you, the "survivor" lead your life? How will you go on? Will it change you in a positive or negative way? The author explores eloquently, different outcomes from the tragedies.
If you LOVE strong women (both past and present), you will devour this one. Callahan flawlessly captures the essence of her characters as though you experienced every step of their journey firsthand.
Some highly-charged topics of class, privilege, greed, abuse, and racial injustice —ripped from today's headlines.
Behind the Book with Patti —Interview: HERE
VIDEO (Patti goes behind the scenes).
I fell in LOVE with characters: Augusta, Lily, Priscilla, (especially Everly), Oliver, Henry, and Maddox. Timely, absolutely stunning, and thought-provoking.
Normally with historical fiction, I am drawn more to the past story vs. the present; however, her dual timelines are equally as compelling! If you are a fan of historical Savannah, the author offers a wealth of information for additional reading. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions.
There is so much to tell and could go on and on. Get this one on your pre-order list now. It is like nothing you will ever read. A true masterpiece. Highly recommend!
Stay Tuned for Interview: Patti will be the featured author in my upcoming March 2021 An Elevator Ride with the Author Series. I cannot wait for the interview to learn more.
A special thank you to the author, #Berkley, and #Netgalley for an advanced reading copy. I also pre-ordered the hardcover and the audiobook.
#JDCMustReadBooks
BONUS: Be sure and check out Patti's website for signed copies, more historical information, and bonus coins.
PS. If you have not read Patti's [b:Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis|39189837|Becoming Mrs. Lewis The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis|Patti Callahan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1520907629l/39189837._SY75_.jpg|60213322] or her podcast, [b:Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis|48841787|Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis|Patti Callahan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573971079l/48841787._SX50_.jpg|85665407] check it out. Another great historical fiction by the master storyteller.
I finished SURVIVING SAVANNAH in two sittings and speechless! EXTRAORDINARY!! Hands down, the BEST historical fiction I have ever had the opportunity to read!
I knew NYT bestselling author, Patti Callahan was a master storyteller but this one is her best and a true gem. The best-kept hidden secret. I have had the opportunity of reading all her books. She was truly meant to tell this mesmerizing story, inspired by true events.
The Pulaski, known as the "Titanic of the South" included Savannah's society, a wealthy family of eleven and some servants, boarded to leave the heat of the South for Maryland. Some with many secrets and shame. The ship was not equipped for a boiler explosion in 1838. How would they survive?
Now, 180 years later the wreckage was discovered off the coast of Wilmington, NC. Now Savannah's history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski remains.
However, Everly has experienced a loss of her own and still grieving. She is obsessed with the lives of those who lost their lives and somehow feels she must seek the answers in order to survive herself. Her answers may be closer than she could have imagined.
From past to present, SURVIVING SAVANNAH is elegantly written, lyrical, emotional, meticulously researched, and a perfect blending of fact and fiction. Rich in detail, character, and history —a captivating tale, intricately woven of survival, love, and loss with three courageous women you will root for.
"How will we survive the surviving?" What happens when tragedy occurs and your loved one is lost? Gone forever. There are no do-overs. How will you, the "survivor" lead your life? How will you go on? Will it change you in a positive or negative way? The author explores eloquently, different outcomes from the tragedies.
If you LOVE strong women (both past and present), you will devour this one. Callahan flawlessly captures the essence of her characters as though you experienced every step of their journey firsthand.
Some highly-charged topics of class, privilege, greed, abuse, and racial injustice —ripped from today's headlines.
Behind the Book with Patti —Interview: HERE
VIDEO (Patti goes behind the scenes).
I fell in LOVE with characters: Augusta, Lily, Priscilla, (especially Everly), Oliver, Henry, and Maddox. Timely, absolutely stunning, and thought-provoking.
Normally with historical fiction, I am drawn more to the past story vs. the present; however, her dual timelines are equally as compelling! If you are a fan of historical Savannah, the author offers a wealth of information for additional reading. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions.
In SURVIVING SAVANNAH, Patti Callahan has woven a sweeping, captivating tale; of a contemporary woman lost in a fog of grief who finds solace-- and finally, redemption as she uncovers the long-buried secrets of a nearly forgotten shipwreck—and the courageous women who survived to bear witness to history. Based in fact, steeped in heart-breaking detail, SURVIVING SAVANNAH raises the little-known, 180-year-old story of the Southern Titanic to the forefront of American historical fiction.
There is so much to tell and could go on and on. Get this one on your pre-order list now. It is like nothing you will ever read. A true masterpiece. Highly recommend!
Stay Tuned for Interview: Patti will be the featured author in my upcoming March 2021 An Elevator Ride with the Author Series. I cannot wait for the interview to learn more.
A special thank you to the author, #Berkley, and #Netgalley for an advanced reading copy. I also pre-ordered the hardcover and the audiobook.
#JDCMustReadBooks
BONUS: Be sure and check out Patti's website for signed copies, more historical information, and bonus coins.
PS. If you have not read Patti's [b:Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis|39189837|Becoming Mrs. Lewis The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis|Patti Callahan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1520907629l/39189837._SY75_.jpg|60213322] or her podcast, [b:Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis|48841787|Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis|Patti Callahan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573971079l/48841787._SX50_.jpg|85665407] check it out. Another great historical fiction by the master storyteller.