Susan's Literary Cafe

The Lifeboat
By Charlotte Rogan
Courtesy of Penguin Books
and Anna Balesai


The Lifeboat takes place on the high seas in the Atlantic Ocean, in the summer of 1914. Grace Winter, and her husband Henry, a bank financier are newlyweds, is on a business trip and takes Grace along with him, on the Empress Alexandra.  All of a sudden a  mysterious explosion occurs, and the passengers are forced to either go on lifeboats or jump into the Atlantic Ocean.   

There is panic, and pandemonium. Everyone is trying to get to the Lifeboats. but unfortunately there are not enough seats on the lifeboats. Most of the lifeboats are filled to capacity. Even though the regulatory number says you can have more.  On Lifeboat 14, there are 39 passengers, but,regulator capacity says 40.

Henry, Grace's husband makes sure Grace will be the 39th passenger. It is filled to capacity. Henry will meet her later on, this is what Grace hopes and thinks. There are later implications that her husband bought her a seat on the lifeboat.  Did you ever wonder what it was like to be on a lifeboat after the sinking of the Titanic?

 Do you re-call when you saw the movie, Titanic, there was a part when the Captain told someone" the lifeboats was not enough for the capacity for the entire ship."  The question, who will survive? Do you sacrifice others to save yourself?  What would you do if you were in this situation?  This is the question of the entire novel. You think about mankind, how each of us treat each other in a panic.  

There are plenty of twists and turns and mystery. With plenty of accusations, and paranoia to sink a sinking ship already.  There is plenty of politics to go around as well. There is a sailor named, Mr. Hardee he takes the role as leader. But, some of the women on the ship have a problem with this.  This is when the story gets interesting and gripping.  After a few days the elements gets the best of everyone. The lifeboat is thought provoking and you think about human nature.

 Is this their real character, or is dehydration and starvation causing them to hallucinate, and become irrational, and down right nasty? A couple of the women are feeding in to everyone's fear, and forced to take sides. What would you do in extreme danger, and disaster?

 The novel is awesome and I can't rave enough about all the emotions I am having after reading it.  
 Wow, The Lifeboat blew me away with its narrative.  The Lifeboat is literary, but it is also filled with mystery, and suspense, and even a trial.

 This story I felt was that good. It doesn't need any further explanation.  Just a fast paced novel that you wish it would not end.  I can still feel the waves bumping into the lifeboat.  The Lifeboat is a satisfying read. A good summer read, but not while on a cruise. I give it 5 thumbs up.