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A review by daisyheadmaesie
Women & Children First by Gill Paul
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!