Mum's Monday: The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey

 

There have been numerous autobiographies, report accounts, factual books and novels written about the Titanic disaster, the people who travelled on her and how the ship was built. As I have an interest in the ship and her luxurious maiden voyage, I have an interest in reading most of the books about the ship I have listed above.

Some novels go into great detail into the voyage and the sinking, although one I have read the disaster was in the background where they only had a member of the family on board and the story was told by the ones left at home. Later on in this blog it will become apparent of how much the actual ship the Titanic will have been mentioned in this book. A book based around the events of the disaster should at least have characters in the book on board and go into great detail about it, not skip over it but cashing in as in a previous book i have read.

This story has a good strong solid start, setting the scene between the family dynamics perfectly for the ‘Miss-understanding’ mentioned within the descriptive paragraph on the back of this book.

As hoped, I should have guessed really, but the point of this story is that Delia takes over Nora’s job/life and is just using the Titanic as a means of travel to America, so could easily, sadly, have been skipped over. I feel there was a risk/danger of this as mentioned before. However, Nora and Delia are very much on board the Titanic. Sadly, for Nora because of Delia going with her they could only travel in third class and not first class that Nora hoped for. It is nice to read about third class as most books are only about people in first class and skip over the other classes, like now i realise second class hasn’t been mentioned yet, if it will be.

I am glad Delia is one sticking up for herself and two making friends, which as I read doesn't come easy as it does for Nora. Again this is a strong set up to the point of this story. Also it is sad that Delia felt penalised for having and using her brain.

It is good to read the part about the sinking. There is enough information to cover what happened without one being too technical, two to not lose sight of the story and three as not to be boring or more like ramble on. The balance between the disaster and the sisters in this story is good/well done.

I do actually think Delia is going to be better at the ‘Governess’ job than Nora. sadly, there has to be a lie for Delia to prove herself.

The story relating to what happened to Nora is cleverly well done. I did wonder what had happened and this doesn’t disappoint.

After the encounter with some visitors to the house, Delia realises that being Nora is not as easy as she first thought or i first thought also. I was on edge whilst reading that part. This book surprisingly high-lights how small the world is.

I am glad the truth is out but sad as well. A lie is a lie I know and the truth should be told but sadly, it is the most innocent that get hurt the most.

I don't like how Nora is so up herself, this also puts me on edge that she will eventually be ‘Taken down a peg or two’ as they say. Unlike with Delia, the on edge feeling is different and I would actually like to see Nora taught a new lesson from what her mum back in Ireland taught/told her. Well I wasn’t expecting that to happen and Nora doesn’t deserve that much of a wake up call. I do feel sorry for her and hope she also does learn from it however, harsh that sounds in the extreme circumstances.

It is a sudden shock to read about Mrs Shaw, this happens so fast in this story you actually almost miss it. I am however, glad Nora has changed, love can be a powerful thing.

Well if you have something important to say say it. I am glad about Lily, I did have a feeling Delia would help herein some way.

It is lovely to see how much Nora has changed. I like reading about the new Nora as opposed to the old one.

On the back of this book it says that ‘Nora is coming to take what is hers’ I thought that would equate to some sort of confrontation and I supposed that would be when the secret would come out. However, the secret is out before this part and Delia, sadly, after a lapse, is moving on before Nora arrives.

As it is getting near the end of this book I don’t want to put it down and to keep reading it to see what happens especially after what happened at the Barbecue.

The pace of this book quickens towards the end. I am glad Lily is OK and Nora had changed enough to see the error of her ways. I can see why Nora couldn’t stay in Texas with it being too hot and with so much ‘Oil’.

Thanks for reading

Sandra