Surviving Savannah

ByPatti Callahan Henry

Release Date: 2021-03-09
Genre: Fiction & Literature

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 504 Ratings

Description

"An atmospheric, compelling story of survival, tragedy, the enduring power of myth and memory, and the moments that change one's life."
--Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Four Winds

"[An] enthralling and emotional tale...A story about strength and fate."--Woman's World

“An epic novel that explores the metal of human spirit in crisis. It is an expertly told, fascinating story that runs fathoms deep on multiple levels.”—New York Journal of Books

It was called "The Titanic of the South." The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board; through time, their fates were forgotten--until the wreck was found, and now their story is finally being told in this breathtaking novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.

When Savannah history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski, she's shocked. The ship sank after a boiler explosion in 1838, and the wreckage was just discovered, 180 years later. Everly can't resist the opportunity to try to solve some of the mysteries and myths surrounding the devastating night of its sinking.

Everly's research leads her to the astounding history of a family of eleven who boarded the Pulaski together, and the extraordinary stories of two women from this family: a known survivor, Augusta Longstreet, and her niece, Lilly Forsyth, who was never found, along with her child. These aristocratic women were part of Savannah's society, but when the ship exploded, each was faced with difficult and heartbreaking decisions. This is a moving and powerful exploration of what women will do to endure in the face of tragedy, the role fate plays, and the myriad ways we survive the surviving.

Reviews

Loved the first nine tenths
4
By gailllsueee
The book kept me interested until the author mounted the soapbox near the end.
Loved it!!
5
By Shaye bae bae
I love all the mystery and intrigue in this beautifully, well written novel. All the stories…I cared about every character. I lost my best friend at age 27 and this resonated with me…the feeling of not being wholly alive. I had to deal with that too. I felt the loses…this book brings it all back alive.
Takes You Right There
5
By Jburkes3
I love historical fiction, but had never heard of the Pulaski disaster. After several chapters, the details of the survivors sounded so real that I looked it up, and read about the history of the ship. The past and present stories had me hooked. Very enjoyable read!
A good read overall
3
By Julie3632
I enjoyed revisiting Savannah through Callahan’s writing, but the end of the book felt a bit rushed. A good read overall.
Disappointing
2
By PierresFamily
Great research and character development. But even though I agree with the political viewpoint of the author, the book’s relentless, forced politics overwhelmed the characters and story, and extinguished my interest. It seems like she exploited the shipwreck for political purposes. Some readers may enjoy this, but I am not among them.
Savanah
2
By Deterni
First time I have ever rated. Book could have been awesome. Everly‘s dead friend Mona seemed to be the focus yet exploring history in Savanna was the most fun. I had to fast forward several times when talk of Mona came in the picture again. It ties together but it’s Exhausting to wait for the good part.
How an event/tragedy can change our lives...
5
By Sue5949
It was a hard book to put down, a very well told historical fiction investigating the lives of the Savannah, Georgia survivors of a 200 year old shipwreck. Relating it to our present day lives added special interest.