The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
*special thanks to Lorna from suddenlylorna for sharing this book to me
Pages: 278
Published: April 3rd 2012 by Reagan Arthur Books
Buy it: BookDepository
Put it on your shelf: GoodReads
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Grace Winter, 22, is both a newlywed and a widow. She is also on trial for her life.
In the summer of 1914, the elegant ocean liner carrying her and her husband Henry across the Atlantic suffers a mysterious explosion. Setting aside his own safety, Henry secures Grace a place in a lifeboat, which the survivors quickly realize is over capacity. For any to live, some must die.
As the castaways battle the elements, and each other, Grace recollects the unorthodox way she and Henry met, and the new life of privilege she thought she’d found. Will she pay any price to keep it?
The Lifeboat is a page-turning novel of hard choices and survival, narrated by a woman as unforgettable and complex as the events she describes.
My thought:
At first glance, I thought this is only another ordinary story about shipwreck survival, which turns out is a different, special and insightful story of shipwreck survival. When talking about shipwreck, I immediately linked to Titanic which I think most of you do too. The story is set few years after the Titanic incident and the ship which wreck in this story has enough lifeboat, however, the lifeboat which the story takes place is overloaded. I thought: It is interesting.
At the beginning of the synopsis, it mentioned about the trial, which I think is the most exciting part of the story. I really think the whole story on the lifeboat is written to build the background and the environment for the trial. Of course, why a person survived from a shipwreck need to be on a trial? I will leave it to found out yourself.
There is a bunch of characters in the book. They all contributed something to the story so the story can develop in this way. I think the author did a great job in not wasting any words on the characters, she really make good use on every character appeared in the story.
While reading this book, I realize how bad my English is, thanks to the word used by the author. She used words so precisely. It enables reader to visualize the scenario which the author wants to present. But also makes me stick to the online dictionary every time I read the book. There is a lot of new words which I haven’t seen before. I did think it is a great thing of the book.
In the story, the ugly side of humans is revealed. When facing disaster, it is hard to keep our moral standard right because it is the dead or alive moment. It is intriguing to read how the author describe the change in the character’s mind. One of the character, the deacon, who is placed in the story to remind us there is also faith in our life. This a crucial character in the story which brings the religious side of life into the story.
Why read it:
(1) Insightful story with deep meaning
(2) Impressive writing
(3) Word use is great
(4) Narrative order is great
Why not read it:
(1) Maybe hard to read(difficult words)
(2) Still some of the mystery not solved
Rating:
4.5 / 5stars, you should definitely read it.
BookNeedLove 