Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
I love a good historical fiction, and this one was really well done. I had never heard of the Pulaski but it quickly grabbed my attention and I was enamored with the story as it unfolded. The dual timeline was threaded beautifully within the pages and gave a deeper perspective to the shipwreck and also grief, survival, and choosing life.
3.5-4 stars. I really liked this book. The historical researcher, working on an exhibit really spoke to me. I loved the setting & the Pulaski tie. There were a few things lacking for me but I did enjoy it.
3.5 for this historical fiction that I never would have read if it weren't for book club. It was extremely well written! Patti knows how to tell a story, y'all. Savannah, a shipwreck, and survivors... yes, please!
Trigger warnings: drowning, slavery, abusive relationship, grief
(4.5 stars, rounded up)
Augusta Longstreet is aboard the Pulaski to help her brother and his wife with their children, of which there are several. Augusta is viewed by society as a widow because her fiancé died weeks before their wedding.
Lilly Forsyth is a local legend in Savannah, with a statue of her dedicated to the Pulaski tragedy. She is traveling on the ship with her odious husband Adam, their baby Madeline, and her nursemaid slave Priscilla. Augusta is her beloved aunt who is really more like a sister to her.
The story of the women on the Pulaski unfolds as present-day historian Everly Winthrop researches the passengers for a museum exhibit. Everly's story is also rich despite the lack of a naval disaster. She is dealing with the grief associated with the untimely death of her best friend. Her life has stalled as she struggles to deal with the loss.
The narration of the story vacillates between the present-day and the 1800s. In modern Savannah, Everly grew up listening to stories of the Pulaski and works on a museum exhibit when the remains of the ship are found. In the 1830s, Lilly and Augusta convey the sinking of the Pulaski.
The novel is beautifully written, which makes reading it a pleasure. The details of the ship sinking feel particularly real, if gruesome at times. The struggle of all three women to survive and "survive the surviving" knit their stories together.
Recommended for fans of Southern fiction, historical fiction, and Titanic stories.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/savannah
(4.5 stars, rounded up)
Augusta Longstreet is aboard the Pulaski to help her brother and his wife with their children, of which there are several. Augusta is viewed by society as a widow because her fiancé died weeks before their wedding.
Lilly Forsyth is a local legend in Savannah, with a statue of her dedicated to the Pulaski tragedy. She is traveling on the ship with her odious husband Adam, their baby Madeline, and her nursemaid slave Priscilla. Augusta is her beloved aunt who is really more like a sister to her.
The story of the women on the Pulaski unfolds as present-day historian Everly Winthrop researches the passengers for a museum exhibit. Everly's story is also rich despite the lack of a naval disaster. She is dealing with the grief associated with the untimely death of her best friend. Her life has stalled as she struggles to deal with the loss.
The narration of the story vacillates between the present-day and the 1800s. In modern Savannah, Everly grew up listening to stories of the Pulaski and works on a museum exhibit when the remains of the ship are found. In the 1830s, Lilly and Augusta convey the sinking of the Pulaski.
The novel is beautifully written, which makes reading it a pleasure. The details of the ship sinking feel particularly real, if gruesome at times. The struggle of all three women to survive and "survive the surviving" knit their stories together.
Recommended for fans of Southern fiction, historical fiction, and Titanic stories.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/savannah
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
I loved this book. For fans of Kristin Hannah and historical fiction. It switches telling the story between past and present. It made me want to visit Savannah too.
Love historical fiction, especially when it teaches me about an historic event I’ve never heard about! 1838- the steamship Pulaski explodes at sea. While 128 of some of the wealthiest Americans drowned along with many of their personal treasures, 59 survived a harrowing few days at sea. I love that as this book was being written, the ship was finally discovered off the coast of North Carolina in 2021.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes