But back to talking about books. As I mentioned here, along with thousands of nonfiction books about the tragedy, there have been dozens of novels inspired by the Titanic.
I have had a lot of fun working with Christi on our Disastrous Fiction display, which went up on Wednesday. [Again, I want to remind people of the Monday Discussion where people suggested their favorite disaster novels.] We have disasters of all kinds represented on the display. But, I was in charge of highlighting some "Titanic Reads" specifically.
I tried to have a mix of books, so you will find old and new and a variety of genres presented. Let me know if you have a favorite Titanic inspired novel too. Also, libraries, feel free to use this list to help your patrons. I just ask that you attach the permalink (click here) and keep the BPL info at the bottom. Otherwise, pass it out to as many people as you want. Also, a big thanks to Connie, part of the BPL RA Dream Team, for forwarding me the list from our server. [I took today off and didn't have the list as I had planned]. Have a nice weekend.
Titanic Reads
This month marks the 100th anniversary of
the sinking of the Titanic. Many
authors, in all genres, have used the tragedy as inspiration for their
novels. From recently released titles to old favorites, there is much
to choose from.
Alcott,
Kate. The
Dressmaker
It is 1912,
and Tess is a British maid with dreams of entering the world of high fashion. She gets the chance to emigrate to
America as the personal assistant to a fashion designer, on the Titanic! Tess
survives the disaster, but that is only where he journey begins. Readers will
follow both Tess’ personal struggle in a new land, and the aftermath and
official investigation into the Titanic disaster. This solid debut is a good option for fans of immigrant
fiction.
Cussler,
Clive. Raise the Titanic
In this
older Dirk Pitt novel, it is 1987 and the American and Russians are in a race
to get to some precious metals held in the sunken ship’s hold. Expect military and historic detail
unfolding with fast-paced action as we follow Pitt on a seemingly desperate
mission as he ultimately saves the day. This novel is also credited with laying
out the ideas that scientists eventually perfected and used to actually “raise
the Titanic.”
Harper,
Molly. Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men
Jane
Jameson is an out of work librarian and recently turned vampire dealing with a
best friend who is frantically getting ready for his Titanic themed wedding and
a grandma who has begun a new relationship with a man who has a troubling trail
of dead wives in his past. This
hilarious paranormal romance with a touch of mystery is perfect for fans of
Mary Janice Davidson or Charlaine Harris.
Lehman,
Yvonne. Hearts That Survive
Friends
Lydia and Caroline are having a grand time planning Lydia’s wedding as they
sail aboard the luxurious Titanic. They survive the ordeal but the aftermath
haunts them. The story jumps ahead
to the present where the troubled descendant of a novelist who died when the
Titanic sank meets Caroline’s granddaughter. It is this contemporary story which is the most compelling
part of the novel.
Llywelyn,
Morgan. 1916
This
novelization of the 1916 Easter Rebellion recounts the story of the failed
fight for Irish independence using fictional characters and actual historic
figures. Most of the novel unfolds
through the eyes of 15 year old Ned Holloran, who lost his parents and almost
his own life aboard the Titanic.
This is the first in Llywelyn’s compelling and richly detailed Irish
Independence series which continues up to 1999.
Steel,
Danielle. No Greater Love
20 year old
Edwina loses both her parents and fiancee while they are travelling aboard the
Titanic. Following the wishes of her dying mother, Edwina returns home to care
for her five younger, now orphaned siblings. This is a compelling story that follows Edwina and her
family into the exciting early days of Hollywood. And as Steel fans know, the
long suffering Edwina will eventually get her chance to find true love.
Todd,
Charles. Watchers of Time
In this,
the fifth installment in the popular post WWI British Mystery series featuring
shell-shocked veteran and Scotland Yard detective Ian Rutledge, an
investigation into the murder of a priest leads Rutledge to unravel a secret
involving a woman who died aboard the Titanic. In their trademark writing style, the mother-son writing
team known as Charles Todd provide another psychologically haunting mystery
that probes at what lives just below the surface of everyday life.
Willis,
Connie. Passage
Psychologist
Joanna Lander teams up with Neurosurgeon Richard Wright to create a pill which
will recreate Near Death Experiences (NDEs). Joanna tests the pills herself and keeps ending up on the
Titanic. Mr. Mandrake is also
studying NDEs and publishing false reports on his own fabricated experiments. Lander must make sense of what she
finds on the other side and keep Mandrake from ruining her research. Add to the tale a whopper of a plot
twist which will keep you reading the last 100 pages in one gulp. With Passage, Willis shows off her expertise at
creating compelling and accessible Science Fiction with a touch of humor and
romance.
Berwyn Public Library
2701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402
www.berwynlibrary.org
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