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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read Surviving Savannah as a book club ARC with Bookbrowse. I remember reading it avidly and enjoying the mix of history and personal relationships especially as the historical information did not overwhelm the story. I also like how the characters were developed and how the story was driven by them and not them being mere puppets. I would definitely read this author again!
My deepest apologies to my book club. I do not understand the 4.25 star rating. This is an incredible story but the writing is HORRIBLE. I felt like I was reading a cross between a Jr. High school report on the event and a cringe-worthy attempt at a romance. I wouldn’t have taken the time to finish the book - and I skimmed at least the last 20% - if I hadn’t needed to read it for my book group. Total ick - definitely not recommended.
I am a big fan of histories of shipwrecks and probably have been to almost every Titanic museum so when I read this synopsis I knew I had to read it.
In 1838, the Pulaski, known as the "Titanic of the South", started it's journey from Savannah to the north advertising it was only one night at sea. Unfortunately, that one night was all it needed for the boiler to explode and the ship to sink into the ocean with some of Savannah's most elite society. 180 years later, the wreckage was found and Everly, a local history professor is asked to curate a new museum of the items that were found.
Told from three perspectives, Everly in the present and two ladies onboard during the explosion, Augusta and Lilly. I think I would have preferred just one from the night of the wreck just because I was a little confused going between the two. I did enjoy Everly's point of view the best, but found her back story a little bit unnecessary at times. It does all come together in the end which is always appreciated, I just think it could have been slightly shortened to really move the story along as it was slow going at parts.
If you like shipwrecks, history, strong women and stories of survival I would highly recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing and the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars!
In 1838, the Pulaski, known as the "Titanic of the South", started it's journey from Savannah to the north advertising it was only one night at sea. Unfortunately, that one night was all it needed for the boiler to explode and the ship to sink into the ocean with some of Savannah's most elite society. 180 years later, the wreckage was found and Everly, a local history professor is asked to curate a new museum of the items that were found.
Told from three perspectives, Everly in the present and two ladies onboard during the explosion, Augusta and Lilly. I think I would have preferred just one from the night of the wreck just because I was a little confused going between the two. I did enjoy Everly's point of view the best, but found her back story a little bit unnecessary at times. It does all come together in the end which is always appreciated, I just think it could have been slightly shortened to really move the story along as it was slow going at parts.
If you like shipwrecks, history, strong women and stories of survival I would highly recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing and the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars!
I picked up this book in preparation for a trip to Savannah. I actually didn't get to read it until after my trip, but found it definitely captured the feel of the city, which is what I'll remember most about this book. The author wrote like a native, or at least a fan of the Hostess City. She even described the residents' weariness with the ghost tours which I could certainly understand after visiting!
Another aspect I enjoyed was the different perspectives each chapter. The book seamlessly alternates between present day and when the Pulaski incident occurs in the early 19th century. I didn't know about the incident at all, so was kept in suspense how the characters in the past would fare, or what the characters in the present day would discover. I was pleased to discover that key parts of the story actually happened, although the characters are generally fictional.
Outside of the Pulaski, the plot and characters captured me at first, and I read through the first three-quarters very quickly. The ending dragged a bit and I found myself a bit ambivalent and ready for the resolution. I was satisfied with where the characters ended up, but I wanted to feel more connected and/or invested in their fates.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the different perspectives each chapter. The book seamlessly alternates between present day and when the Pulaski incident occurs in the early 19th century. I didn't know about the incident at all, so was kept in suspense how the characters in the past would fare, or what the characters in the present day would discover. I was pleased to discover that key parts of the story actually happened, although the characters are generally fictional.
Outside of the Pulaski, the plot and characters captured me at first, and I read through the first three-quarters very quickly. The ending dragged a bit and I found myself a bit ambivalent and ready for the resolution. I was satisfied with where the characters ended up, but I wanted to feel more connected and/or invested in their fates.
I'd never heard of the Pulaski before, so this book taught me a lot about the ship and her tragic end. The dual-timeline format is one I always enjoy. As per usual, I found myself more invested in the past story than the present one, but both kept me interested. Even though the historical characters didn't get enough development, I found them a likable, sympathetic lot. Same with the present cast, although I didn't love Everly, who was too victim-y for me. I'm fine with a sympathy-inducing lead, but I get impatient with too much wallowing—they need to be at least a little selfless for me to like them. Plotwise, SURVIVING SAVANNAH steams along at a steady pace, which kept me turning pages. As for its storytelling, Callahan's prose gets heavy-handed at times (Everly's dialogue, for instance, often feels too formal and flowery). Still, I enjoyed this novel for its colorful historical backdrop, its engrossing story, its intriguing characters, and its capable (if at times overblown) writing. If you like dual-timeline novels about little-known historical events, definitely check this one out.
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Three narrators in this book, one in present day - Everly Winthrop and two in the past, 1838 - Augusta Longstreet and Lilly Forsyth. Everly is still dealing with the tragic loss of her best friend in a senseless accident when she is approached to build the exhibit for the Pulaski ship wreck, 180 years later. Augusta and Lilly were on the Pulaski when it went down and the two have very different stories from their experiences on the ship and the aftermath.
Known as The Titantic of the South, the Pulaski shipwreck was very deadly and could have possibly been avoided had safety measures been in place and to know that this tragedy spawned laws in the 1800s was so interesting to read. I had never heard about this event and I have spent a lot of time in the southern region of the United States. After reading this book, I am spurned to keep reading historical fiction to learn about more historical events that weren't included in my history classes!
Three narrators in this book, one in present day - Everly Winthrop and two in the past, 1838 - Augusta Longstreet and Lilly Forsyth. Everly is still dealing with the tragic loss of her best friend in a senseless accident when she is approached to build the exhibit for the Pulaski ship wreck, 180 years later. Augusta and Lilly were on the Pulaski when it went down and the two have very different stories from their experiences on the ship and the aftermath.
Known as The Titantic of the South, the Pulaski shipwreck was very deadly and could have possibly been avoided had safety measures been in place and to know that this tragedy spawned laws in the 1800s was so interesting to read. I had never heard about this event and I have spent a lot of time in the southern region of the United States. After reading this book, I am spurned to keep reading historical fiction to learn about more historical events that weren't included in my history classes!
2.5 stars if this book had been about Augusta and Lilly only I think it would have been a 5 star worthy novel but Everly was such an unlikable character to me that I struggled to enjoy the rest.