"It's the Titanic, sir," (First Officer) Dean interrupted, his voice nearing a frantic pace and pitch. "We've just received an urgent distress message. She's struck ice and is sinking fast. She requires immediate assistance."
(Captain Rostron's) eyes darted to the chart, marking his position in relation to the Titanic with a stub of a pencil. They were not as close as he would like to be, not nearly close enough, but he wasn't about to let that stop him. Other boats would have heard the call and replied to her message as well, so all he had to do was get his ship there as fast as he could and be prepared for whatever they might face.
"...we must have order, discipline, and quietness, and we must avoid all confusion. We must be better sailors, better crew, and better men than we have ever been."
I'm sure the story of Titanic is familiar to everyone. But what about Capt. Arthur Rostron and the valiant crew of the Carpathia who took extreme and heroic efforts to go to her rescue as fast as they could? They are the ones who pulled the 705 survivors from the icy sea that night. Rebecca Connolly tells their story in this compelling and poignant novel. I was familiar with Carpathia's name, but knew nothing of her Captain and the decisive actions he took that fateful night. He was truly a remarkable man...though he would tell you he just did what anyone else would have done in his situation. Connolly also weaves in the story of Kate Connolly, an Irish lass and third class passenger on the Titanic who managed to survive. I liked reading their contrasting perspectives of that night. Altogether, this was an amazing novel. I loved it.
I'm *very* interested in Titanic stories - both in fact & fiction. The Carpatia element turned what was a massive tragedy into at least a partial tale of heroism. I'll add this to my List! Thanks. If you want to read another novel around this event I can definitely recommend 'The Midnight Watch' by David Dyer. My review is here:
ReplyDeletehttps://cyberkittenspot.blogspot.com/2023/04/just-finished-reading-midnight-watch-by.html
Thanks for the rec! I read your review of it and it does sound really good. :D
DeleteI love anything Titanic adjacent, so I think I'd love this! Thanks for sharing😁
ReplyDeleteI liked seeing the story told from viewpoint of those who came to her rescue. It added some new layers to the story.
DeleteThe Titanic interests me but I've not read a book about it at all. Plenty of docs. but no books. This one sounds absolutely fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIt was SO good. And she drew from Rostron's own autobiography, so it feels very real.
DeleteWow, this does sound like an amazing read. Adding it to my list.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to read it!
DeleteI like the sound of this story of the Titanic. I know it's mostly a tragedy, but hearing about ones who survived and the mission to save them appeals more than reading about the ones who didn't make it.
ReplyDeleteThis book does highlight the tragedy of it all, but also how heroic common men and women can be when they go to the rescue of others.
DeleteI love historical fiction and I love this take on the Titanic story. Adding to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a good book...and not too long. I really loved it.
DeleteI know nothing about this man’s story, but now I want to. Off to my library’s database to see if they have this one...
ReplyDeleteYou might want to look out for 'Other Side of the Night: The Carpathia, the Californian and the Night the Titanic was Lost' by Daniel Allen Butler, or about the man himself 'Titanic Hero: The Autobiography of Captain Rostron of the Carpathia' by Sir Arthur H. Rostron
DeleteAll good choices! :D
DeleteThanks for the recs.
DeleteI'm glad you loved this one! I tend to avoid Titanic stories because they're so sad, but this book does sound great so I'll think about trying it.
ReplyDeleteI just loved seeing the actions Rostron and his crew took and how they viewed everything. Though it did still make me tear up in places.
DeleteThis sounds really good and is a nice variation on the Titanic story. I would like to know more about the captain and crew of the Carpathia myself. Love the title and cover, btw :)
ReplyDeleteAnd the book is so well written. I learned a lot I didn't know.
DeleteOh, this does sound like a great setup. I'd never heard of the Carpathia before.
ReplyDeleteRostron makes a comment about that in the book, about how everyone will remember the Titanic, but no one will ever remember his crew or his ship...and he was okay with that. He did not seek the spotlight, that's for sure.
DeleteThis sounds like a delightful read. I am glad you enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteIt was an emotional and compelling novel!
DeleteI like anything Titanic related and this sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteIt is SO good!
DeleteI've always been interested in anything about the Titanic. This sounds like such a good book!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy books on the Titanic! Glad it was such a captivating read.
ReplyDeleteI read this one a few years ago and remember loving it. So glad you did too!
ReplyDeleteI listened to a Carphatia audio, chilling
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