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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Well, this one ended up being tough for me to rate. I was entertained by the story, but ultimately, it just wasn't a home run for me.
Everly Winthrop is still reeling from the death of her best friend when she's approached by her friend's ex-fiance, seeking her help to build a museum exhibit about the wreck of the Pulaski steamship in 1838. Initially reluctant to have anything to do with him, she agrees after realizing her own family may have a link to this past. Digging into the history, Everly slowly unfolds the story of two aristocratic women, Augusta and her niece Lily — one who survived and the other who was mysteriously never seen again. The narrative switches back and forth between Everly's modern-day era and 1838 as the disaster occurs.
Patti Callahan Henry gets high marks for being able to draw me into the story quickly. The characters are, for the most part, likable and I appreciated getting a look at a slice of history that was new to me. It was also fun seeing the thought and consideration that goes into the making of a museum exhibit. That said, I found the dual timeline distracting. I usually am a sucker for a multi-POV, dual-timeline book, but in this case, I really struggled to relate to Everly's personal drama and didn't feel the story of her friend's death (and Everly's ensuing emotional angst) had enough of a tie-in with the other era to feel worth including. Perhaps it's because I've recently read some books with some deeply genuine-feeling grief themes, or perhaps it's because we were never really shown much of her best friend's character or their past relationship, but Everly's grief felt a little flat. I found myself wishing for more time spent in 1838 and getting to know those characters time better, and a little less time in Everly's head.
Everly Winthrop is still reeling from the death of her best friend when she's approached by her friend's ex-fiance, seeking her help to build a museum exhibit about the wreck of the Pulaski steamship in 1838. Initially reluctant to have anything to do with him, she agrees after realizing her own family may have a link to this past. Digging into the history, Everly slowly unfolds the story of two aristocratic women, Augusta and her niece Lily — one who survived and the other who was mysteriously never seen again. The narrative switches back and forth between Everly's modern-day era and 1838 as the disaster occurs.
Patti Callahan Henry gets high marks for being able to draw me into the story quickly. The characters are, for the most part, likable and I appreciated getting a look at a slice of history that was new to me. It was also fun seeing the thought and consideration that goes into the making of a museum exhibit. That said, I found the dual timeline distracting. I usually am a sucker for a multi-POV, dual-timeline book, but in this case, I really struggled to relate to Everly's personal drama and didn't feel the story of her friend's death (and Everly's ensuing emotional angst) had enough of a tie-in with the other era to feel worth including. Perhaps it's because I've recently read some books with some deeply genuine-feeling grief themes, or perhaps it's because we were never really shown much of her best friend's character or their past relationship, but Everly's grief felt a little flat. I found myself wishing for more time spent in 1838 and getting to know those characters time better, and a little less time in Everly's head.
This was so well written and I became captivated with the story. The author did a fantastic job weaving the past and present together.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this one did not disappoint. It is probably one of the best historical fiction books that I have read. I actually learned from this book, I had never heard of the Pulaski and the terrible tragedy that happened. My only critique of this book is that the ending felt slightly rushed to me. There was all this build up and then, it's over in a few pages. Still, a solid 5 stars from me for all of the well researched information.
Very interesting read about the Steamship Pulaski. I liked the story being told in 2 timelines and I enjoyed learning the history around this disaster. It was a little too flowery for my taste at times, but I enjoyed it!
Could have been an exciting story. Seemed to be written for younger audience so it seemed silly.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I took a little break from historical fiction (my favorite genre), but returning to this book makes me remember why I love it so much. Weaving fictional tales of people or relationships on top of factual historical information is fascinating to me.
“How do we survive the surviving?” is the key, riveting question posed to characters and reader alike by this gripping novel.
The steamship Pulaski sunk off the coast of North Carolina on a June night in 1838. We get to know the details of that voyage through three intrepid women - Lily and Augusta in the 1830s, and Everly in present day. Lily and Augusta are a niece and aunt traveling with multiple family members aboard the Pulaski while Everly is a history professor, museum curator, and lifelong resident of Savannah, Georgia, where the Pulaski disembarked. Everly puts together a compelling exhibit at a Savannah museum when, 180 years later, the wreck of the Pulaski is finally found and artifacts unearthed (un-sead?)
We learn of each woman’s struggles and individual tragedies while they figure out how to survive the surviving. To me, the biggest takeaway is we all have our own personal tragedies and typically what helps us through are the relationships we develop and sustain with others, particularly those who can empathize with our situation.
A lovely reckoning of how both good and bad can come out of tragedy, how some wish to forget or bury the past and others to explore and learn from it.
“How do we survive the surviving?” is the key, riveting question posed to characters and reader alike by this gripping novel.
The steamship Pulaski sunk off the coast of North Carolina on a June night in 1838. We get to know the details of that voyage through three intrepid women - Lily and Augusta in the 1830s, and Everly in present day. Lily and Augusta are a niece and aunt traveling with multiple family members aboard the Pulaski while Everly is a history professor, museum curator, and lifelong resident of Savannah, Georgia, where the Pulaski disembarked. Everly puts together a compelling exhibit at a Savannah museum when, 180 years later, the wreck of the Pulaski is finally found and artifacts unearthed (un-sead?)
We learn of each woman’s struggles and individual tragedies while they figure out how to survive the surviving. To me, the biggest takeaway is we all have our own personal tragedies and typically what helps us through are the relationships we develop and sustain with others, particularly those who can empathize with our situation.
A lovely reckoning of how both good and bad can come out of tragedy, how some wish to forget or bury the past and others to explore and learn from it.
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thoroughly enjoyed
I love finding a Historical Fiction on a topic or event I’ve never heard. This definitely left me falling down a rabbit hole of google with my 9 year old son. I love the personal story this book gives to the event. The stories of Lily and Augusta were interesting to follow and I loved their endings.
I love finding a Historical Fiction on a topic or event I’ve never heard. This definitely left me falling down a rabbit hole of google with my 9 year old son. I love the personal story this book gives to the event. The stories of Lily and Augusta were interesting to follow and I loved their endings.