Review of 'The Girl on the Carpathia' by Eileen Enwright Hodgetts
(available at Amazon)
By
🛳 ⚓️ 🛳
My Review
What a powerful and vivid story surrounding the terrible tragedy of The Titanic. I am so pleased I had the opportunity to read this incredible novel that draws upon the facts of history and weaves them effectively into fiction while maintaining an authenticity and sharpness that pulls you in. It is easy to imagine you are one of the survivors on the Titanic or one of the rescuers on the Carpathia. Many novels have been inspired by this epic tragedy but it is pleasing to see one from the viewpoints of Carpathia’s passengers and her crew. For this ship was a hero in a sense as she became the sole saviour of the Titanic remnant on that fateful night.
Like many, I am sure, I have often wondered what could have happened during those dark hours between the disaster and rescue. What decisions were made and how it affected the outcome. It is heartbreaking to think of those who died and how those who survived were left feeling vulnerable and tossed upon a sea of sadness. Eileen takes us there with her tools of trade: well crafted words and gives us much to think about.
This novel has a large cast. Eileen has used a number of real people who participated on the Carpathia during the rescue such as Radio Officer Harold Cottam, Reporter Carlos Hurd, ship’s Medical Officer Dr. Arpad Lengyel and Captain Arthur Rostron. Many of the Titanic passengers, officers and crew were included as well. Plus, those who participated in the US Senate Hearings such as various Sheriffs, Senators and President William Taft. Woven into this already heavy cast are intriguing fictional characters that add a layer of imagined experience into the story. The author blends these two parts wonderfully into a complete and believable whole as both real and fictional characters share vivid details of the unforgettable tragedy. I personally became engrossed in the story, the characters’ lives and was effortlessly transported to the setting and events.
Whenever there is an epic tragedy and massive loss of lives such as in the sinking of the Titanic, the desire to pin blame on someone is inevitable. Fingers will be pointed. This is when the weight of being a leader or captain shows up and is seriously scrutinised. Human weakness or failure will be exposed at this time and the man at the helm knows all too well, if he has not possessed the strength, wisdom and ability to make the best or correct decisions in a crisis, there will be difficult days ahead in answering for his actions or inactions. Sadly no matter how prepared someone may be— when tragedy strikes— sometimes every seemingly sensible plan of action can go wrong. The blame though, will fall heavily on the shoulders of the leader. But is the fault one hundred percent his? As we know, from the true and fictional accounts in the story, there were others dragged into the mix who may have shared in this unsinkable ship’s ill fate.
I admired the fictional character Kate. She plays an important role in the story. I also loved how the novel parallels her personal family tragedy (fictional part of the plot) alongside the Titanic tragedy. Without giving anything away, I noticed the similar reactions of both Captain Smith and Kate Royston’s father (completely different circumstances) and how each dealt with their large scale disasters and remorse in a tragic way. We can only guess at the anguish these men must have felt, blaming themselves for the downfall/death of others. But were they both guilty of any crimes?
The novel explores the testimonies of various witnesses. These facts are utilised well and I learned a great deal from Eileen’s thorough research. The Girl on the Carpathia focuses a large part on the hearings done by the US Senate from April 19 to May 25, 1912 but they were far from dry. The fictional characters fleshed-out some of the possible reactions of the public at the time. Their input added valuable insight and with their own dramas, played out alongside, there is a great deal of tension and release to keep us connected to events with the swing of emotions constantly pulling on our hearts.
This is a hard novel to put down once starting. It grabs your attention from page one and never let’s go. The creative use of research is phenomenal. There’s plenty of tension and even though we know what happened to the Titanic, the fictional characters like Eva Trentham, Kate Royston, Danny McSorley and others keep the suspense rolling and gives the story extra layers of interest. Also, having fresh views and perceptions of various fictional characters, makes us look at the event from various angles.
I must add that I even enjoyed Wolfie the Otterhound! Although this dog is a fictional addition, we know in the true event, there were at least a dozen dogs on the Titanic but only three survived: two Pomeranians and one Pekingese taken in the lifeboats by their owners, mostly wrapped in blankets and tucked under their coats. They were small enough to be hidden and carried. But the fictional Otterhound, on the other hand, in The Girl on the Carpathia, due to its large size could not be saved this way. The author, though, has chosen to include this rare British canine breed to be rescued by a woman who knew its value. This dog truly is a strong swimmer so it could have survived the disaster if someone saw it in the water and if he/she could get it into a boat. Lots of ‘ifs’ but regardless, this dog holds a tender place in the story and what it becomes to some. One thing rings true is the strong connection between owners and their pets. And this novel certainly shows that. Wolfie becomes another Titanic survivor who has lost his loved ones in the tragedy, making him another orphan. Of course, there is anger among some who believe a dog should not have taken a seat from a person. But there was loss all around: women that day lost their husbands and children, children lost their fathers and siblings, people lost their pets and so on...
I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to those who want a full reading experience of what happened and might have happened. It is a great triumph that explores further the tragedy of the Titanic, the Carpathia’s part in rescuing the survivors and the US trials thereafter. Although this is a fictional account, it is based on history and I believe The Girl on the Carpathia is an excellent tribute to those who were there and who wanted answers. 5 Haunting Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to the author for a review copy. I truly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more of her books.
Visit Eileen Enwright Hodgetts website for more information on her novels, where to purchase them and to take a peek at her next Titanic story on the way The Girl in the Lifeboat!
