'Surviving Savannah' by Patti Callahan is a dual timeline historical fiction novel that revolves around the steamship Pulaski, which sank in 1838 off the coast of North Carolina. The story follows the lives of the passengers on board the Pulaski, particularly focusing on a young mother named Lilly, and also delves into the modern-day narrative of Everly Winthrop who is tasked with curating a museum exhibit about the disaster. The novel expertly weaves together the past and present, exploring themes of survival, resilience, and uncovering hidden family histories, all set against the backdrop of the Southern city of Savannah.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, showcasing strength and vulnerability as they navigate their respective crises.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is immersive and evocative, effectively conveying both intense historical moments and deep emotional themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intertwines a historical tragedy with a contemporary narrative, revealing the personal struggles of the characters across timelines.

Setting:

The setting is vividly illustrated, encompassing both the historical context of Savannah and the maritime scene surrounding the shipwreck.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates, beginning slowly but accelerating during the critical shipwreck events, maintaining reader engagement.

For all of my thirty-two years, my mom, Harriet Winthrop, had told the story over and over to anyone who’d listen. I could recite her words verbatim; I’d been told them since my memory began. A tale w...

Notes:

Surviving Savannah is set in 1838 and revolves around the luxury steamship Pulaski, which sank after a boiler explosion, leading to a life-and-death struggle for its passengers.

The ship was often referred to as the 'Titanic of the South' before the Titanic even existed, marking it as a significant event in maritime history.

Only two lifeboats were available for over 180 passengers on the Pulaski, resulting in many fatalities during the disaster.

The story includes dual timelines: one focusing on Everly Winthrop, a modern-day museum curator, and the other on two women from the original voyage, Lilly Forsyth and Augusta Longstreet.

The wreckage of the Pulaski was discovered 180 years later, thirty-five miles off the coast of North Carolina, prompting renewed interest in its history.

Everly struggles with her own trauma due to the recent death of her best friend, paralleling the survival struggles of Lilly and Augusta.

The novel explores themes of survival, guilt, and hope, questioning what it means to truly survive a tragedy.

The setting of Savannah plays a significant role, being depicted as a place rich in history and character.

The author, Patti Callahan, is praised for her thorough research and vivid descriptions, making the historical events come alive for readers.

The book has been well-received, being noted as a compelling read for fans of historical fiction, particularly those interested in stories about women's resilience.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of grief, loss of a loved one, and trauma.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present in the story, primarily arising in the contemporary timeline.

From The Publisher:

"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.

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About the Author:

Patti Callahan is a New York Times bestselling author and is the recipient of the Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writer of the Year. She is a frequent speaker at luncheons, book clubs, and women's groups.

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Surviving Savannah

Patti Callahan