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The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic
"A lyrical, monumental work of fact and imagination." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Arrogance and innocence, hubris and hope — twenty-four haunting voices of the Titanic tragedy, as well as the iceberg itself, are evoked in a stunning tour de force. Slipping in telegraphs, undertaker’s reports, and other records, poet Allan Wolf offers a breathtaking, intimate glimpse at the lives behind the tragedy, told with clear-eyed compassion and astounding emotional power.
Arrogance and innocence, hubris and hope — twenty-four haunting voices of the Titanic tragedy, as well as the iceberg itself, are evoked in a stunning tour de force. Slipping in telegraphs, undertaker’s reports, and other records, poet Allan Wolf offers a breathtaking, intimate glimpse at the lives behind the tragedy, told with clear-eyed compassion and astounding emotional power.
480 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2011
135 people are currently reading
7998 people want to read
About the author
Allan Wolf
22 books133 followersA versatile writer, Allan Wolf's picture books, poetry collections, young adult novels, and nonfiction celebrate his love of research, history, science, and poetry. He is a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, two-time winner of the North Carolina Young Adult Book Award, and recipient of New York’s Bank Street College Claudia Lewis Award for Poetry. Booklist placed Allan’s The Watch That Ends the Night, on its list of the 50 Best YA Books of All Time.
Wolf believes in the healing powers of poetry recitation and has committed to memory nearly a thousand poems.
His newest titles include: a historical novel, (Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom); a picture book (The Blanket Where Violet Sits); a poetry collection (The Gift of the Broken Teacup); and a graphic novel (The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur).
Wolf believes in the healing powers of poetry recitation and has committed to memory nearly a thousand poems.
His newest titles include: a historical novel, (Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom); a picture book (The Blanket Where Violet Sits); a poetry collection (The Gift of the Broken Teacup); and a graphic novel (The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 828 reviews
April 28, 2025
The iceberg has its own POV in this book.
I am not joking.
I am the ice. I see tides ebb and flow.
I've watched civilizations come and go,
give birth, destroy, restore, be gone, begin.
My blink of an eye is humankind’s tortoise slow.
Today’s now is tomorrow’s way back when.
Bright Arctic night gives way to coal-black morn.
Tall masts and canvas sails give way to steam.
One iceberg melts away. Another’s born.
I am the sum of all that I have seen.
I am the ice. I know the ebb and flow.
Ten thousand years ago, I fell as snow,
and as I fell, my bulk began to grow,
and as I grew, I watched as worlds arose.
Conceived by water, temperature, and time,
gestating within Greenland’s glacial womb,
I carved out massive valleys as I moved.
At last the frozen river made its way
and calved me with a splash in Baffin Bay.
Since then I’ve traveled southward many weeks,
for now that my emergence is complete,
there is a certain ship I long to meet.
(The Iceberg)
The Watch That Ends the Night is composed in verse and narrated through the viewpoints of Captain Smith, Fifth Officer Lowe, Bruce Ismay (White Star Line's director), Thomas Andrews (the designer of Titanic), Harold Bride (wireless operator), several other crew members, passengers, and yes, the iceberg itself!
Poetic composition + Titanic + sentient-ish iceberg? Give this man a Pulitzer.
It is witty, humorous, emotional, intellectually stimulating, and exquisitely crafted. This book scratched my brain in the best way possible.
The millionaire thinks Titanic is a ship of pleasure.
The emigrant thinks Titanic is a ship of dreams.
But they are both wrong. For Titanic is not a ship at all.
Titanic is just good business. Very good business.
(Bruce Ismay, The Businessman)
James Cameron: I'm going to make a Titanic film where Murdoch takes the drastic step of shooting a third-class passenger before turning the gun on himself. It doesn't matter if this event actually occurred or not.
Allan Wolf: The iceberg is about to commit premeditated murder.
Me: *throws money at both*
I feel as though I built her with my own two hands.
And like her loyal minion, I will tend to her needs,
no matter the cost, whatever the tide.
(Thomas Andrews, The Shipbuilder)
A more profound meaning lies beneath the surface of the iceberg's reflections (no pun intended). It cleverly illustrates the awe-inspiring and often frightening force of nature. Despite our human arrogance in believing we dominate the universe, the truth is that we do not. To borrow a quote from physician Mark Hyman, "Seems you can't outsmart Mother Nature."
Well, the divorce caused shock enough in itself.
But when I married Madeleine within the year,
the outcry surprised even me.
You’d think I’d been found out as Jack the Ripper!
The churches cried out sacrilege. The papers cried out scandal.
I divorced a woman who despised me;
I married a woman who adored me.
Society calls that common? I call that common sense.
Somewhere between the Sphinx and the pyramids,
Madeleine discovered she was with child.
So naturally we were determined to return to New York,
and why shouldn’t we? I own half of it.
(Hem, hem.)
And what is more, New York is our home.
So let them ostracize us from their galas and teas.
I say make the most of your life while you can.
We may all of us be dead tomorrow.
Even the richest man in the world.
(John Jacob Astor, The Millionaire)
The Welsh Officer Harold Lowe had the most amusing chapters. He was throwing shade at both the wealthy and the less fortunate. I had to dig into whether he really told the women in his lifeboat, "I think the best thing for you women to do is to take a nap," when he grew tired of their BS. Turns out, he did! This may explain why some women held a grudge against him in the months and years following the sinking. Mrs. Harris didn't seem affected by his impolite remarks; she even sent him multiple gifts, one of which was a telescope inscribed with "To Harold G. Lowe Fifth Officer R.M.S. Titanic, The Real Hero of the Titanic."
Say what you will about John Jacob Astor, the man knows who he is—
even if the whole world thinks he’s someone else.
That’s how it is when you're rich;
you're fair game for every gossipmonger from Denver to Newport.
And believe me, I would know.
I can’t sneeze without reading about it in Town Topics.
And if Jack Astor thinks he’s got it rough,
that’s nothing compared to how bad rich women have it!
We can’t hold a real job: our only employment
is motherhood, social work, and tea parties.
We are judged according to the elegance of our hats,
not the wisdom in the heads upon which the hats sit.
Titanic was due to set sail in two days.
My children were grown. My husband and I rarely spoke.
There were no parties to organize. No rallies to attend.
The entire week lay before me with no one to tend but myself.
The prospect delighted and terrified me.
(Margaret Brown, The Socialite)
The characters I became most fond of in this book, whom I hadn't encountered before, were two third-class children: 9-year-old Frankie Goldsmith, a boy fascinated by dragons, and Jamīlah Nīqūla Yārid, a Lebanese refugee who turned 14 on the day of the sinking. I chose not to look them up while reading, as I wanted to avoid any spoilers about their fates, which added to my tension throughout the story.
“There is no such thing as dragons,” said Rossmore.
“Dragons are only in books,” said Eugene.
I figured that Alfred, Rossmore, and Eugene were just too old.
I knew in my heart that dragons do exist.
I didn’t care what the older boys said. Or how they laughed.
Maybe as boys grow up, they lose their ability to see.
(Frankie Goldsmith, 'The Dragon Hunter')
My main gripe with the book is that the author downplayed the heroism of Margaret Brown, the officers, and the engineers. That's my only issue. I can't recall the last time I read a book that brought me joy and had me tearing up multiple times towards the end. What brought tears to my eyes was the musicians who continued to play until the very end, and that truly happened.
And we played it soulfully and slow as lower and lower
the ship’s bow dipped. With a clunk a cello was laid on the deck,
followed by steps. Another clunk, a viola this time. More steps.
A clunk, a double bass, laid down. But Wally stood firm
and segued into the strains of “Nearer, My God, to Thee,”
just as he said he would. And to pay him homage, I played along
and I played it sweetly —and by the book— note for note,
until I noticed, here and there from Wally, a variation on a phrase,
a seventh added in for flavor, a trill to thrill, a run for fun,
and then a lilt, a leap, a thunderous screech!
Wally had launched into a masterly improvisation that transformed
the hymn into a bird, a dog, a windblown tree, the snow,
and he finished with a quiet, weeping tremolo.
“Bravo, my friend,” I said. “Bravo.”
I reached in my pocket. Unfastened my purse.
And I emptied its contents onto Wally’s open palm.
When he saw it was Widener’s sixteen cents, he laughed.
We laughed a duet. Fell silent. Shook hands.
Then the bubble was burst.
And we prepared for the worst.
(John 'Jock' Hume, The Second Violin)
The White Star Line believed nothing could destroy the Titanic, the pinnacle of shipbuilding excellence. OceanGate was convinced they could defy the laws of physics by using an experimental, uncertified submersible to transport billionaires to the Titanic's wreck site.
Mother Nature always wins.
The lookout, immigrant, and tailor’s sons,
the gambler, refugee, and socialite,
the boy who hunts for dragons: all ascend.
Ascend to end the watch that ends the night.
And as they do, the ice leaves with the tide,
a dozen souls all clinging to my side.
(The Iceberg)
I am not joking.
I am the ice. I see tides ebb and flow.
I've watched civilizations come and go,
give birth, destroy, restore, be gone, begin.
My blink of an eye is humankind’s tortoise slow.
Today’s now is tomorrow’s way back when.
Bright Arctic night gives way to coal-black morn.
Tall masts and canvas sails give way to steam.
One iceberg melts away. Another’s born.
I am the sum of all that I have seen.
I am the ice. I know the ebb and flow.
Ten thousand years ago, I fell as snow,
and as I fell, my bulk began to grow,
and as I grew, I watched as worlds arose.
Conceived by water, temperature, and time,
gestating within Greenland’s glacial womb,
I carved out massive valleys as I moved.
At last the frozen river made its way
and calved me with a splash in Baffin Bay.
Since then I’ve traveled southward many weeks,
for now that my emergence is complete,
there is a certain ship I long to meet.
(The Iceberg)
The Watch That Ends the Night is composed in verse and narrated through the viewpoints of Captain Smith, Fifth Officer Lowe, Bruce Ismay (White Star Line's director), Thomas Andrews (the designer of Titanic), Harold Bride (wireless operator), several other crew members, passengers, and yes, the iceberg itself!
Poetic composition + Titanic + sentient-ish iceberg? Give this man a Pulitzer.
It is witty, humorous, emotional, intellectually stimulating, and exquisitely crafted. This book scratched my brain in the best way possible.
The millionaire thinks Titanic is a ship of pleasure.
The emigrant thinks Titanic is a ship of dreams.
But they are both wrong. For Titanic is not a ship at all.
Titanic is just good business. Very good business.
(Bruce Ismay, The Businessman)
James Cameron: I'm going to make a Titanic film where Murdoch takes the drastic step of shooting a third-class passenger before turning the gun on himself. It doesn't matter if this event actually occurred or not.
Allan Wolf: The iceberg is about to commit premeditated murder.
Me: *throws money at both*
I feel as though I built her with my own two hands.
And like her loyal minion, I will tend to her needs,
no matter the cost, whatever the tide.
(Thomas Andrews, The Shipbuilder)
A more profound meaning lies beneath the surface of the iceberg's reflections (no pun intended). It cleverly illustrates the awe-inspiring and often frightening force of nature. Despite our human arrogance in believing we dominate the universe, the truth is that we do not. To borrow a quote from physician Mark Hyman, "Seems you can't outsmart Mother Nature."
Well, the divorce caused shock enough in itself.
But when I married Madeleine within the year,
the outcry surprised even me.
You’d think I’d been found out as Jack the Ripper!
The churches cried out sacrilege. The papers cried out scandal.
I divorced a woman who despised me;
I married a woman who adored me.
Society calls that common? I call that common sense.
Somewhere between the Sphinx and the pyramids,
Madeleine discovered she was with child.
So naturally we were determined to return to New York,
and why shouldn’t we? I own half of it.
(Hem, hem.)
And what is more, New York is our home.
So let them ostracize us from their galas and teas.
I say make the most of your life while you can.
We may all of us be dead tomorrow.
Even the richest man in the world.
(John Jacob Astor, The Millionaire)
The Welsh Officer Harold Lowe had the most amusing chapters. He was throwing shade at both the wealthy and the less fortunate. I had to dig into whether he really told the women in his lifeboat, "I think the best thing for you women to do is to take a nap," when he grew tired of their BS. Turns out, he did! This may explain why some women held a grudge against him in the months and years following the sinking. Mrs. Harris didn't seem affected by his impolite remarks; she even sent him multiple gifts, one of which was a telescope inscribed with "To Harold G. Lowe Fifth Officer R.M.S. Titanic, The Real Hero of the Titanic."
Say what you will about John Jacob Astor, the man knows who he is—
even if the whole world thinks he’s someone else.
That’s how it is when you're rich;
you're fair game for every gossipmonger from Denver to Newport.
And believe me, I would know.
I can’t sneeze without reading about it in Town Topics.
And if Jack Astor thinks he’s got it rough,
that’s nothing compared to how bad rich women have it!
We can’t hold a real job: our only employment
is motherhood, social work, and tea parties.
We are judged according to the elegance of our hats,
not the wisdom in the heads upon which the hats sit.
Titanic was due to set sail in two days.
My children were grown. My husband and I rarely spoke.
There were no parties to organize. No rallies to attend.
The entire week lay before me with no one to tend but myself.
The prospect delighted and terrified me.
(Margaret Brown, The Socialite)
The characters I became most fond of in this book, whom I hadn't encountered before, were two third-class children: 9-year-old Frankie Goldsmith, a boy fascinated by dragons, and Jamīlah Nīqūla Yārid, a Lebanese refugee who turned 14 on the day of the sinking. I chose not to look them up while reading, as I wanted to avoid any spoilers about their fates, which added to my tension throughout the story.
“There is no such thing as dragons,” said Rossmore.
“Dragons are only in books,” said Eugene.
I figured that Alfred, Rossmore, and Eugene were just too old.
I knew in my heart that dragons do exist.
I didn’t care what the older boys said. Or how they laughed.
Maybe as boys grow up, they lose their ability to see.
(Frankie Goldsmith, 'The Dragon Hunter')
My main gripe with the book is that the author downplayed the heroism of Margaret Brown, the officers, and the engineers. That's my only issue. I can't recall the last time I read a book that brought me joy and had me tearing up multiple times towards the end. What brought tears to my eyes was the musicians who continued to play until the very end, and that truly happened.
And we played it soulfully and slow as lower and lower
the ship’s bow dipped. With a clunk a cello was laid on the deck,
followed by steps. Another clunk, a viola this time. More steps.
A clunk, a double bass, laid down. But Wally stood firm
and segued into the strains of “Nearer, My God, to Thee,”
just as he said he would. And to pay him homage, I played along
and I played it sweetly —and by the book— note for note,
until I noticed, here and there from Wally, a variation on a phrase,
a seventh added in for flavor, a trill to thrill, a run for fun,
and then a lilt, a leap, a thunderous screech!
Wally had launched into a masterly improvisation that transformed
the hymn into a bird, a dog, a windblown tree, the snow,
and he finished with a quiet, weeping tremolo.
“Bravo, my friend,” I said. “Bravo.”
I reached in my pocket. Unfastened my purse.
And I emptied its contents onto Wally’s open palm.
When he saw it was Widener’s sixteen cents, he laughed.
We laughed a duet. Fell silent. Shook hands.
Then the bubble was burst.
And we prepared for the worst.
(John 'Jock' Hume, The Second Violin)
The White Star Line believed nothing could destroy the Titanic, the pinnacle of shipbuilding excellence. OceanGate was convinced they could defy the laws of physics by using an experimental, uncertified submersible to transport billionaires to the Titanic's wreck site.
Mother Nature always wins.
The lookout, immigrant, and tailor’s sons,
the gambler, refugee, and socialite,
the boy who hunts for dragons: all ascend.
Ascend to end the watch that ends the night.
And as they do, the ice leaves with the tide,
a dozen souls all clinging to my side.
(The Iceberg)
March 18, 2021
I read another book by this author on the Dinner party, which I liked, so was curious as to how this book on the Titanic would be written. He continues his prose style, which takes much foresight and talent. This time our narrator is ice, his approaches are so novel. I liked the Donner book more, less characters I think. Here, we are given so many. The ship holder, the stoker, Astor, Molly Brown, the telegraph operator, the immigrant, the Captain and more. Did like hearing from the ships mice.
A different, original prose style book on this horrific disaster.
A different, original prose style book on this horrific disaster.
January 25, 2012
Novels in verse, done well, are rare.
And I can show you why…
This is not a poem simply because I say it is.
It is not a poem because I split
A sentence between several lines
.............Or finger the tab key
...................Artfully.
This is not a poem, no not a poem,
Because I repeat a phrase here and there.
This is not a poem because from time to time
I toss in a tired end rhyme
Or use funky punctuation—
To highlight a clause.
This is not a poem because I italicize special thoughts
Or with the clickety-clack clack clack of my keys
Sneak in some onomatopoeia.
Poetry is thought and emotion distilled,
A line of communication between writer and reader…
Scrupulously chosen words that startle with insights and imagery and ideas.
Well done novels in verse are made up of poems that could live on their own
But when those poems are read together, they tell a tale that couldn’t be told in prose.
No, a disassembled paragraph is not a poem, no not a poem, this is
A gimmick.
I also have trouble with an omniscient, anthropomorphized, malevolent iceberg (which if we are going to split hairs wasn't an iceberg in the first poem) sharing space in a book with realistic people (based on REAL people) and a very naturalistic rat. I question the authors research on Rat Kings, but I give him a pass on that...His historical mistake on the song "Frankie and Johnny" though: no pass.
It's an OK short-line prose novel based on an historical event that still resonates today. It is, however, NOT a children's or even a YA book and I can't figure out why it was published as such--oh that's right, the last verse novel published for adults was Eugene Onegin (Kidding! I know there have been several in the past decade).
And I can show you why…
This is not a poem simply because I say it is.
It is not a poem because I split
A sentence between several lines
.............Or finger the tab key
...................Artfully.
This is not a poem, no not a poem,
Because I repeat a phrase here and there.
This is not a poem because from time to time
I toss in a tired end rhyme
Or use funky punctuation—
To highlight a clause.
This is not a poem because I italicize special thoughts
Or with the clickety-clack clack clack of my keys
Sneak in some onomatopoeia.
Poetry is thought and emotion distilled,
A line of communication between writer and reader…
Scrupulously chosen words that startle with insights and imagery and ideas.
Well done novels in verse are made up of poems that could live on their own
But when those poems are read together, they tell a tale that couldn’t be told in prose.
No, a disassembled paragraph is not a poem, no not a poem, this is
A gimmick.
I also have trouble with an omniscient, anthropomorphized, malevolent iceberg (which if we are going to split hairs wasn't an iceberg in the first poem) sharing space in a book with realistic people (based on REAL people) and a very naturalistic rat. I question the authors research on Rat Kings, but I give him a pass on that...His historical mistake on the song "Frankie and Johnny" though: no pass.
It's an OK short-line prose novel based on an historical event that still resonates today. It is, however, NOT a children's or even a YA book and I can't figure out why it was published as such--oh that's right, the last verse novel published for adults was Eugene Onegin (Kidding! I know there have been several in the past decade).
February 14, 2023
I have read many books about the Titanic, both fictional and non -fictional. This book is very different from any other I’ve read on the subject. The author has chosen “voices”, both well-known and virtually unknown, drawn from Titanic lore, to “speak”. Some characters are quite unusual; even a ship’s rat and the iceberg itself get to speak! At the end are detailed notes about each speaker and what happened to them after that fateful April night in 1912. Author Wolf also explains in depth what is factual and what is fictional.
I enjoyed this book so much that at about 80% finished, I bought myself a copy on E-bay!
I enjoyed this book so much that at about 80% finished, I bought myself a copy on E-bay!
November 23, 2024
Last year, 2012, marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, so there were a lot of new books out and many to choose from. This, though, was, in my opinion, not only among the best (if not THE best) but also the most original. Written by Allan Wolf, it is a novel in the form of verse and told using the voices of many passengers and crew. These include Captain Smith, John Jacob Astor, Margaret Brown, Harold Bride (one of the wireless operators), Bruce Ismay, Frederick Fleet the lookout and others, even including a rat onboard the ship and the Iceberg Titanic is fated to collide with. This novel takes us on a journey from Titanic beginning to sail to John Snow, an undertaker, who is sent to collect the bodies floating amid the wreckage. We meet millionaires, cardsharps, refugees, a father who has abducted his children, families hoping for a better life and members of the crew, all with their stories to tell.
Even from the very beginning, we sense there is a feeling that the claim of the ship being unsinkable is taunting nature; although, as Captain Smith says, "Of course I am not so foolish as to call her unsinkable, but I will say this: it would take a fool to sink her. I may be many things, but I am no fool." We watch as he welcomes his first class passengers aboard, inwardly sneering as Astor boards with his new, young wife. We watch Jamila, the young refugee, as she meets a young man on board and catches his eye. As the great ship heads for the sea, Harold Lowe, Junior officer, asserts that, "the most pressing disaster on a ship like Titanic is a cup of cocoa spilled on a gentle lady's fur coat." However, we are also aware of the Marconi warnings arriving from other ships, telling of ice.
"Too far from departure to worry about the past, too far from arrival to worry about the future," the ship settles into it's frivolous amusements. We know, though, that disaster awaits. Although we all know, too well, what is about to happen, the author makes the story come alive - the dramatic events even more so now we have come to care for the people we have met. The author asserts that his aim was not to present history, but humanity, and he succeeds brilliantly in this wonderful novel. A very moving book indeed and one I enjoyed immensely. For those interested in reading further about the passengers onboard Titanic, you might enjoy "Titanic Lives: Migrants and Millionaires, Conmen and Crew". Good to see this out in paperback, but a kindle edition would be great as well
Even from the very beginning, we sense there is a feeling that the claim of the ship being unsinkable is taunting nature; although, as Captain Smith says, "Of course I am not so foolish as to call her unsinkable, but I will say this: it would take a fool to sink her. I may be many things, but I am no fool." We watch as he welcomes his first class passengers aboard, inwardly sneering as Astor boards with his new, young wife. We watch Jamila, the young refugee, as she meets a young man on board and catches his eye. As the great ship heads for the sea, Harold Lowe, Junior officer, asserts that, "the most pressing disaster on a ship like Titanic is a cup of cocoa spilled on a gentle lady's fur coat." However, we are also aware of the Marconi warnings arriving from other ships, telling of ice.
"Too far from departure to worry about the past, too far from arrival to worry about the future," the ship settles into it's frivolous amusements. We know, though, that disaster awaits. Although we all know, too well, what is about to happen, the author makes the story come alive - the dramatic events even more so now we have come to care for the people we have met. The author asserts that his aim was not to present history, but humanity, and he succeeds brilliantly in this wonderful novel. A very moving book indeed and one I enjoyed immensely. For those interested in reading further about the passengers onboard Titanic, you might enjoy "Titanic Lives: Migrants and Millionaires, Conmen and Crew". Good to see this out in paperback, but a kindle edition would be great as well
July 17, 2017
Let me first say two things: I am a *serious* Titanic enthusiast. I do not voluntarily read poetry.
With those confessions made, let me make another: I loved -The Watch That Ends the Night-. It was a couldn't put it down, stay up til the A.M. to finish kind of read for me. While some details were creatively smudged, the portrayal of the Titanic and its passengers rivals that of James Cameron (and maybe beats him out, except for the lack of Leo and Kate).
I imagine writing a novel using only verse must be difficult. Writing historical fiction novels must be difficult. Writing a historical fiction novel written in verse?! Mind blown. I'll be recommending this to all my other never-let-go Titanic lovers.
With those confessions made, let me make another: I loved -The Watch That Ends the Night-. It was a couldn't put it down, stay up til the A.M. to finish kind of read for me. While some details were creatively smudged, the portrayal of the Titanic and its passengers rivals that of James Cameron (and maybe beats him out, except for the lack of Leo and Kate).
I imagine writing a novel using only verse must be difficult. Writing historical fiction novels must be difficult. Writing a historical fiction novel written in verse?! Mind blown. I'll be recommending this to all my other never-let-go Titanic lovers.
October 8, 2011
So much has been written about the Titanic, it's hard to imagine an author finding a fresh perspective but Allan Wolf pulls it off and quite brilliantly. The voices of the captain, crew members, passengers from all three class, the shipboard rats, the embalmer searching for bodies floating among the wreckage, and even the iceberg are brought vividly to life in verse. Like his New Found Land, this is unique, engrossing historical fiction.
August 19, 2011
Complete review at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/...
Told from 24 different perspectives in multiple genres such as verse, letters, undertaker's notes, telegrams, forms and booklets, this harrowing tale takes the reader through the journey that different people took on the Titanic. The points of view range from workers like lookouts and stokers, 3rd class passengers like an immigrant and refugee, 2nd class passengers like a tailor, 1st class passengers like a millionaire and socialite as well as the captain, ship builder, the business man, the ship rat and the iceberg. The story begins on April 1st, 1912 with preparing to sail and ends with the survivors aboard the Carpathia on April 18, 1912.
This novel obviously takes the reader through the complete tragedy of the RMS Titanic and the amount of research that Allan Wolf must of done makes this novel not only a wonderful piece of writing, but an essential part of Titanic-lore from now on. I specifically liked how after the story was completed, an afterword was added with Titanic information and a clarification of the fact vs. fiction within the novel specifically when it came to the characters. This novel will be used in classes learning about the Titanic for years to come because of the historical accuracy and the interesting and in-depth way the story is told. It is also a perfect addition to any English Language Arts classroom because it has perfect examples of different types of poetry (each character has their own style), using dialogue in poetry, historical fiction, figurative language and other literary devices and using multiple-genres. I feel that this book is a great way to teach these elements because the Titanic is such a well known topic which would lend well to students connecting with and understanding the text. This book truly makes history come alive.
Told from 24 different perspectives in multiple genres such as verse, letters, undertaker's notes, telegrams, forms and booklets, this harrowing tale takes the reader through the journey that different people took on the Titanic. The points of view range from workers like lookouts and stokers, 3rd class passengers like an immigrant and refugee, 2nd class passengers like a tailor, 1st class passengers like a millionaire and socialite as well as the captain, ship builder, the business man, the ship rat and the iceberg. The story begins on April 1st, 1912 with preparing to sail and ends with the survivors aboard the Carpathia on April 18, 1912.
This novel obviously takes the reader through the complete tragedy of the RMS Titanic and the amount of research that Allan Wolf must of done makes this novel not only a wonderful piece of writing, but an essential part of Titanic-lore from now on. I specifically liked how after the story was completed, an afterword was added with Titanic information and a clarification of the fact vs. fiction within the novel specifically when it came to the characters. This novel will be used in classes learning about the Titanic for years to come because of the historical accuracy and the interesting and in-depth way the story is told. It is also a perfect addition to any English Language Arts classroom because it has perfect examples of different types of poetry (each character has their own style), using dialogue in poetry, historical fiction, figurative language and other literary devices and using multiple-genres. I feel that this book is a great way to teach these elements because the Titanic is such a well known topic which would lend well to students connecting with and understanding the text. This book truly makes history come alive.
August 29, 2015
o hi it's one of my favorite books ever
@caitlyn the cover art is jon klassen in case you needed another reason to love this book
also, can we talk about how the iceberg's poems get shorter and shorter as it melts because i did NOT pick up on that the first time through.
i just love this book a lot.
k bye
@caitlyn the cover art is jon klassen in case you needed another reason to love this book
also, can we talk about how the iceberg's poems get shorter and shorter as it melts because i did NOT pick up on that the first time through.
i just love this book a lot.
k bye
June 2, 2017
It took me awhile to get into the rhythm and voice of this book, but after that I really enjoyed it! Super unique and special. (And I recommend reading it with the titanic soundtrack. ;)
April 13, 2019
Audiobook narrated by several actors 10 10m
If I had attempted to read this in book format, it might just have ended up in the DNF category. Alan Wolf creates the perfect Titanic story that fits well in the audio category. Twenty-four voices rise up from the deep of the North Atlantic, including a sophisticated rat and the poetic iceberg.
I am not sure what exactly accounts for my ongoing fascination with the Titanic tragedy, but I continue to be drawn to its decks and its people. Of course, not every person was fascinating and I was really annoyed by the rhyming iceberg by the end of the story. A brief mention that gave me GoT vibes, , John Snow is the "undertaker" responsible for the collection of bodies and that was cool.
If I had attempted to read this in book format, it might just have ended up in the DNF category. Alan Wolf creates the perfect Titanic story that fits well in the audio category. Twenty-four voices rise up from the deep of the North Atlantic, including a sophisticated rat and the poetic iceberg.
I am not sure what exactly accounts for my ongoing fascination with the Titanic tragedy, but I continue to be drawn to its decks and its people. Of course, not every person was fascinating and I was really annoyed by the rhyming iceberg by the end of the story. A brief mention that gave me GoT vibes, , John Snow is the "undertaker" responsible for the collection of bodies and that was cool.
April 6, 2012
The Titanic story has certainly been told and told again over the 100 years since her sinking, but in this book, Allan Wolf has managed to capture the voices of the beings that were part of that story in a wholly new and captivating way. THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT is a novel-in-verse that chronicles the story of the unsinkable Titanic, from the boarding and preparations to set sail to the voyage, the sinking, and the Carpathia's rescue and delivery of the survivors to New York. The undertaker's voice is ever-present, too, capturing the scope of this tragedy intermittently throughout the story, always there from the beginning to the end, lest readers forget how this one ends.
I'm always impressed when an author takes a story from history -- a story to which I already know the ending -- and manages to present it in a way that creates suspense and tension, nonetheless, and Wolf has done this beautifully. Who will survive, and how? The characters whose voices rise in poetry throughout the text feel fully realized, so the stakes are high when the inevitable collision happens and the ship begins to sink.
Those voices are unique, too, and along those lines this is a great book for book clubs, literature circles, and classes to discuss how form and meaning intersect. The young boys, for example, speak in short, back-and-forth bursts like a game of toss-the-ball, while the poems in the voice of the personified iceberg speak in cold, measured iambic pentameter until the very end. There's simply so much to talk about here.
This title would also make an amazing mentor text for a student research project. In THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT, Wolf has painstakingly researched two dozen individuals who were part of the Titanic story as well as the ship itself and the events surrounding her sinking, and he's pared what must have been volumes of notes into this beating heart of a story that not only chronicles the historical incident but also paints a haunting picture of the humanity wrapped up in it. Thirty pages of back matter provide the real-life biographies of Wolf's poetic voices, an extensive and comprehensive bibliography, and further details about the Titanic story. This format could be adapted to virtually any major historical event students may be studying. Teachers might challenge students to research the event and choose a selection of voices from that story to speak in poetry, or each student in a class might take on one voice to create a whole group story of the event told from multiple perspectives.
THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT is an ambitious and beautifully crafted book. Share it with your advanced middle school and high school readers, history buffs, and writers; they'll all find something amazing to take away from this new version of an old story.
I'm always impressed when an author takes a story from history -- a story to which I already know the ending -- and manages to present it in a way that creates suspense and tension, nonetheless, and Wolf has done this beautifully. Who will survive, and how? The characters whose voices rise in poetry throughout the text feel fully realized, so the stakes are high when the inevitable collision happens and the ship begins to sink.
Those voices are unique, too, and along those lines this is a great book for book clubs, literature circles, and classes to discuss how form and meaning intersect. The young boys, for example, speak in short, back-and-forth bursts like a game of toss-the-ball, while the poems in the voice of the personified iceberg speak in cold, measured iambic pentameter until the very end. There's simply so much to talk about here.
This title would also make an amazing mentor text for a student research project. In THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT, Wolf has painstakingly researched two dozen individuals who were part of the Titanic story as well as the ship itself and the events surrounding her sinking, and he's pared what must have been volumes of notes into this beating heart of a story that not only chronicles the historical incident but also paints a haunting picture of the humanity wrapped up in it. Thirty pages of back matter provide the real-life biographies of Wolf's poetic voices, an extensive and comprehensive bibliography, and further details about the Titanic story. This format could be adapted to virtually any major historical event students may be studying. Teachers might challenge students to research the event and choose a selection of voices from that story to speak in poetry, or each student in a class might take on one voice to create a whole group story of the event told from multiple perspectives.
THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT is an ambitious and beautifully crafted book. Share it with your advanced middle school and high school readers, history buffs, and writers; they'll all find something amazing to take away from this new version of an old story.
May 18, 2011
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Historical Fiction Novel in Verse is my favorite kind of book. Allan Wolf makes history come alive and uses words like a true craftsman. The end matter was an amazing cherry on top of this well written and amazingly well put together novel.
April 6, 2023
This is probably one of the most uniquely written books I have ever read. Told in first person prose style poems, The Watch That Ends the Night recounts the events leading up to and including the sinking of the Titanic told from the perspective of 25 different points of view, inncluding socialites, immigrants, crew, children, the undertaker, the iceberg, and a rat.
Wolf's writing style is very accessible to readers who may not be used to reading poetry, while still being emotionally provoking and gutwrenching. I was worried that it would be confusing told from so many different perspectives, but Wolf manages to give each character a distinct voice (even the malevolent iceberg whose POV was especially chilling -- no pun intended) and the story really benefits from the large cast of characters.
I don't think I have ever cried more while reading than during this book. I immediately connected with multiple characters and the knowledge of the impending doom and not knowing who would survive and who wouldn't kept the tension high.
Even though this is classified as historical fiction, all the characters were actual passengers on Titanic, and Wolf stays pretty close to the truth with how their stories play out. He also includes short biographies at the end so you can read about each person's life before and after Titanic.
Next week will mark the 111th anniversary since the sinking of the Titanic, and if you're like me and have held a lifelong fascination with this horrible disaster, I highly recommend picking this up.
Wolf's writing style is very accessible to readers who may not be used to reading poetry, while still being emotionally provoking and gutwrenching. I was worried that it would be confusing told from so many different perspectives, but Wolf manages to give each character a distinct voice (even the malevolent iceberg whose POV was especially chilling -- no pun intended) and the story really benefits from the large cast of characters.
I don't think I have ever cried more while reading than during this book. I immediately connected with multiple characters and the knowledge of the impending doom and not knowing who would survive and who wouldn't kept the tension high.
Even though this is classified as historical fiction, all the characters were actual passengers on Titanic, and Wolf stays pretty close to the truth with how their stories play out. He also includes short biographies at the end so you can read about each person's life before and after Titanic.
Next week will mark the 111th anniversary since the sinking of the Titanic, and if you're like me and have held a lifelong fascination with this horrible disaster, I highly recommend picking this up.
August 10, 2017
This book was amazing and I see no reason not to give it 5 stars. I decided to read it because I'm always intrigued by anything Titanic, but I wasn't sure if I was going to like the poetry/verse. But I loved it! It was not difficult to read in any way, in fact I think it made the story stand out more. There were some very profound lines, knowing what's going to happen. My favorite from the book was probably this one from the perspective of the captian:
"I cannot imagine my career, uneventful as it is
ever inspiring poets to turn their attention to E.J. Smith.
What would they say?
It would not make for very good reading."
What the author said in his author's note is really true, each character's humanity and personality really came through. It's incredible to think that each character in this book was a real person, some survived, some didn't, but every person on Titanic had a story. While of course the author had to embellish some because not everything can be known, every "fiction" was based on history, and all of this is made clear in the character notes at the end. The audio book was also excellent in portraying this with different voices for each character.
Even if you are deterred by the poetry aspect, don't let it stop you from reading this! It was profound, emotional, and on top of that a really entertaining read!
"I cannot imagine my career, uneventful as it is
ever inspiring poets to turn their attention to E.J. Smith.
What would they say?
It would not make for very good reading."
What the author said in his author's note is really true, each character's humanity and personality really came through. It's incredible to think that each character in this book was a real person, some survived, some didn't, but every person on Titanic had a story. While of course the author had to embellish some because not everything can be known, every "fiction" was based on history, and all of this is made clear in the character notes at the end. The audio book was also excellent in portraying this with different voices for each character.
Even if you are deterred by the poetry aspect, don't let it stop you from reading this! It was profound, emotional, and on top of that a really entertaining read!
dnf
August 27, 2020Oh man, the idea of this is so cool, but the moment I hit the POV of the iceberg out to get the Titanic, I knew this absolutely was not for me.
February 22, 2017
wow. wow. wow. omg.
April 15, 2013
Really?
I tried this audio book because it was listed on the Hub Reading Challenge 2013. Oh well.
I recently read Titanic:Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson,Titanic: Voices From the Disaster and this one just can't compete.
From the beginning I struggled listening to a malevolent female iceberg, who has watched human history since the cave men (really? all the way from the north pole? that's some vision) and set out on purpose to 'meet' the Titanic. Or talk about the 'voice' of the rat, going "scrabble scrabble food...". Equally insightful was hearing from the ship's baker that bread left in the oven too long goes hard and dry, too short and it won't be cooked in the middle. Hm. Not for me.
I learned a lot from listening to Hopkinson's book on the Titanic, and it was a wonderful audio book. Facts were combined with the stories of fascinating people, and the story was told with much dignity for everyone involved.
I tried this audio book because it was listed on the Hub Reading Challenge 2013. Oh well.
I recently read Titanic:Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson,Titanic: Voices From the Disaster and this one just can't compete.
From the beginning I struggled listening to a malevolent female iceberg, who has watched human history since the cave men (really? all the way from the north pole? that's some vision) and set out on purpose to 'meet' the Titanic. Or talk about the 'voice' of the rat, going "scrabble scrabble food...". Equally insightful was hearing from the ship's baker that bread left in the oven too long goes hard and dry, too short and it won't be cooked in the middle. Hm. Not for me.
I learned a lot from listening to Hopkinson's book on the Titanic, and it was a wonderful audio book. Facts were combined with the stories of fascinating people, and the story was told with much dignity for everyone involved.
February 20, 2018
The best part of this book was the last chapter where they told you what happened to the survivors. It was an interesting premise, but giving the rat, the iceberg and the telegraph their own voices was repetitive and boring. I especially enjoyed the immigrant stories. Margaret Brown was also a great character and the facts about her life after the Titanic were fascinating.
Read
June 28, 2022Six word summary: Titanic but through verse & vignette.
Loved: I enjoyed the multi-POV telling of such a well known moment in history. I wouldn't like more form some characters (and less from others), though, as it did seem somewhat fragmented and hard to keep momentum with the story.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommend for: Fans of Historical Fiction, Books in Prose/Vignette/Documental formats, Those seeking out every piece of work about the Titanic disaster
Reminds me of: I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 meets To Stay Alive: Mary Ann Graves and the Tragic Journey of the Donner Party meets The House on Mango Street
Loved: I enjoyed the multi-POV telling of such a well known moment in history. I wouldn't like more form some characters (and less from others), though, as it did seem somewhat fragmented and hard to keep momentum with the story.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommend for: Fans of Historical Fiction, Books in Prose/Vignette/Documental formats, Those seeking out every piece of work about the Titanic disaster
Reminds me of: I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 meets To Stay Alive: Mary Ann Graves and the Tragic Journey of the Donner Party meets The House on Mango Street
August 10, 2016
It took a little while for me to get hold of a copy of this and then to sit down and read it, but boy was it worth the wait.
May 21, 2023
DNF at 28%. Not for me.
July 2, 2022
Describes the Titanic's fateful voyage through the eyes of the ship, the iceberg, and her passengers. Told in free verse.
December 31, 2020
I need to give this 7 stars
February 21, 2024
To be honest, this book was initially a 3 star book. The reason I gave it a 4 was because it was such a heartbreaking and sad book that brings the events of Titanic into a realistic part of our history. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like for these people and what makes the book even more heartbreaking is that fact that everyone in this were once real people and any of them could have been us.
July 5, 2025
Chilling, yet beautifully and poetically written- everything down to the pov of the rats and iceberg had so many details that made the book feel different from any other historical novel I’ve ever written. this is going to be one of those novels I’m going to think about for years
March 31, 2018
This wasn't my usual pick for a read but I actually enjoyed it. The poetry was great and the different perspectives melded together beautifully. I would recommend this to a history/poetry nerd.
January 19, 2018
I loved this book! It was also written in verse for people who like books like that. I loved this book because it put you in the shoes of the passengers of the Titanic. I also like this book because it was about one of my favorite historical events The Titanic. It also made you feel like you were in First, Second, and third class. But this book was very sad. This book is definitely for history buffs. This book is not for people;le who like sad books.
October 5, 2011
What else could be left to say about the Titanic, we could wonder. A quick WorldCat search for juvenile historical fiction about the Titanic turned up dozens of titles, including quite a few coming out in 2011. I must be one of the few people around, at least over the age of 30, who never saw the wildly popular 1997 movie, but I was curious to read this new teen novel by poet Allan Wolf about the 1912 disaster at sea. I am a huge fan of his 2004 novel, New Found Land: Lewis and Clark’s Voyage of Discovery, which tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition in free verse from the point of view of fourteen participants, including Lewis’ dog, Seaman.
Wolf’s new novel is in much the same format, alternating between the points of view of various crew and passengers of different social classes, including the ship’s captain, baker, wireless man, and the ship lookout; millionaire John Jacob Astor, who’s sailing with his teenage bride; the famous “unsinkable” Molly Brown; a beautiful young Lebanese immigrant sailing with her brother; a cardshark; a violinist from the ship’s orchestra; and even a rat and the iceberg itself. In his research, Wolf sifted through the 2,000 passengers and crew to identify 24 different compelling and diverse stories for his narrative. Each character writes in his or her own style, including the poems of the rat, which are written in concrete verse, and the poems are clearly labeled with the name of the character as a heading so threre’s no confusion for the readers. The groups of poems are separated into different chapters, with the story told largely chronologically.
The novel begins ominously enough with the first poem coming from John Snow, an undertaker from Halifax who journeyed to recover bodies strewn in the Titanic wreckage. We then skip to the prelude, where we meet the various colorful characters who will participate in the drama, beginning with the ship’s rat. Even the iceberg in this book takes on a vivid personality through Wolf’s skillful writing. Although we know the outcome from the outset, Wolf manages to create an atmosphere of suspense throughout, particularly as we see the many messages sent through the wireless from other ships warning of the massive icebergs in the vicinity. Wolf takes the time to establish the atmosphere of “frivolous amuseument” on the giant ship, as the passengers promenade on the decks, partake of gourmet cuisine, and descend the grand staircases. Even those in third class enjoy food better than they have ever eaten before.
When the ship collides with the iceberg, the shipbuilder and captain quickly realize that the situation is hopeless and the ship will go down within two hours at the most. The captain muses poignantly:
My God.
I was giving out orders left and right. But I really had no plan...
Our only hope was an orderly evacuation and a passing ship,
a ship very close to give us time to shuttle the passengers...
Of course I knew the precise number of people on board.
I had signed the paperwork myself. My responsibility.
Two thousand two hundred and eight souls.
Twenty boats.
The mathematical disparity stung my brain.
Regardless of how the rest of the story turned out,
I knew it must begin with filling the lifeboats with as many souls as possible.
We witness the evacuation of women and children, first class, then second class, and when the captain called for third class, there were no more boats. As the ship collapses, passengers fall into the frigid Arctic water, and the poems evoke the horror of the sounds of those who die quickly of hypothermia as well as those who tried to climb onto the lifeboats. Extensive back matter provides biographical details about each of the passengers included in the book, as well as an excellent bibliography.
Our fascination with this tragedy shows no signs of abating; in some ways it’s the ultimate man against nature story, as well as a tragedy of Greek epic proportions. 2012 is the centennial of the disaster, and not only should we expect numerous books, TV documentaries, and more, you can even take a cruise recreating the voyage. (one of the two cruises being offered is already sold out!) The cruise includes a special memorial service at the exact spot of the sinking, the opportunity to wear period costumes and experience a selection of food and drinks served on the Titanic, themed entertainment, and a stop in Halifax to visit the cemeteries where victims are buried. Apparently recreation of the collision with the iceberg is not included.
Wolf’s new novel is in much the same format, alternating between the points of view of various crew and passengers of different social classes, including the ship’s captain, baker, wireless man, and the ship lookout; millionaire John Jacob Astor, who’s sailing with his teenage bride; the famous “unsinkable” Molly Brown; a beautiful young Lebanese immigrant sailing with her brother; a cardshark; a violinist from the ship’s orchestra; and even a rat and the iceberg itself. In his research, Wolf sifted through the 2,000 passengers and crew to identify 24 different compelling and diverse stories for his narrative. Each character writes in his or her own style, including the poems of the rat, which are written in concrete verse, and the poems are clearly labeled with the name of the character as a heading so threre’s no confusion for the readers. The groups of poems are separated into different chapters, with the story told largely chronologically.
The novel begins ominously enough with the first poem coming from John Snow, an undertaker from Halifax who journeyed to recover bodies strewn in the Titanic wreckage. We then skip to the prelude, where we meet the various colorful characters who will participate in the drama, beginning with the ship’s rat. Even the iceberg in this book takes on a vivid personality through Wolf’s skillful writing. Although we know the outcome from the outset, Wolf manages to create an atmosphere of suspense throughout, particularly as we see the many messages sent through the wireless from other ships warning of the massive icebergs in the vicinity. Wolf takes the time to establish the atmosphere of “frivolous amuseument” on the giant ship, as the passengers promenade on the decks, partake of gourmet cuisine, and descend the grand staircases. Even those in third class enjoy food better than they have ever eaten before.
When the ship collides with the iceberg, the shipbuilder and captain quickly realize that the situation is hopeless and the ship will go down within two hours at the most. The captain muses poignantly:
My God.
I was giving out orders left and right. But I really had no plan...
Our only hope was an orderly evacuation and a passing ship,
a ship very close to give us time to shuttle the passengers...
Of course I knew the precise number of people on board.
I had signed the paperwork myself. My responsibility.
Two thousand two hundred and eight souls.
Twenty boats.
The mathematical disparity stung my brain.
Regardless of how the rest of the story turned out,
I knew it must begin with filling the lifeboats with as many souls as possible.
We witness the evacuation of women and children, first class, then second class, and when the captain called for third class, there were no more boats. As the ship collapses, passengers fall into the frigid Arctic water, and the poems evoke the horror of the sounds of those who die quickly of hypothermia as well as those who tried to climb onto the lifeboats. Extensive back matter provides biographical details about each of the passengers included in the book, as well as an excellent bibliography.
Our fascination with this tragedy shows no signs of abating; in some ways it’s the ultimate man against nature story, as well as a tragedy of Greek epic proportions. 2012 is the centennial of the disaster, and not only should we expect numerous books, TV documentaries, and more, you can even take a cruise recreating the voyage. (one of the two cruises being offered is already sold out!) The cruise includes a special memorial service at the exact spot of the sinking, the opportunity to wear period costumes and experience a selection of food and drinks served on the Titanic, themed entertainment, and a stop in Halifax to visit the cemeteries where victims are buried. Apparently recreation of the collision with the iceberg is not included.
October 17, 2016
In the novel, The Watch That Ends the Night, by Allan Wolf the story of the Titanic is told in a new and interesting way. Wolf uses a verse technique which includes many different characters. The book starts with the growing excitement for the voyage of the Titanic. Each character begins their trip to board the enormous White Star Line Ship and each has their own thoughts and feelings. The ship builder, one of the first characters introduced, is joyful to see his work of art sail away with no doubt in his mind that the ship is unsinkable. John Jacob Astor, a self absorbed millionaire, brought his new wife and is ready to spend his money with no regard to others. Jamila Nicola-Yarred, an Arab refugee, is fleeing her war-ridden country with her father and brother in search of a life in America, but those dreams are quickly crushed when her father is not allowed on the ship and all her money is stolen by a greedy crew member. The captain, E.J. Smith, has never sunk a ship and is certain that this trip will be no different. The characters grow throughout the book and become new people. They are ready to go to America to live out their new lives, but the only thing in their way is the iceberg.
I thought that this novel was interesting and a great new perspective on the story of the tragic event. The author puts a new twist to the story of the Titanic that is different from any other story previously published. Wolf brings many different voices into the story of the Titanic and each character has a unique personality, making the story very realistic, along with the fact that it is based on a historic event. For example Frederick Fleet, a lookout on the ship, speaks in an ungrammatical way, “You might say the crow’s nest is me own special room, although there’s no place t’ sit”(Wolf 93). As opposed to John Jacob Astor, the millionaire, who is well spoken as demonstrated when he says, “ What I loved most about the ancient ruins of Egypt was the way in which they made me feel more modern”(Wolf 147). You can clearly see that these are two completely different people. Wolf also brings in personification when he talks as the iceberg and a ship rat. Talking through the iceberg allows for a foreshadowing effect that tells you what will happen. One of my favorite lines that the iceberg says is “Hearts, slow and steady, never fall asleep. They keep the beat, the meter, steady rocks, like clocks: they tick and tock to track the time, and when two lovers meet they chime, within my frozen mass a can not find, an equal to the heart of mankind”(Wolf 87). This poem expresses and shows the mastery in Wolf’s writing, expressing a vast amount of feelings in just a few sentences.
One of the literary devices that is frequently displayed is irony. Everyone on the ship is certain that even if they ran into a tragic problem, the ship would still float. This is a nice way to see into the minds of people and why they weren't prepared for an event like what happened to the Titanic. I personally enjoyed this novel, with its many wonderful poems and the different voices that shown throughout. Although this book was marvelous I do have to point out that there are many characters and at points it is hard to remember who is who, what background they have, and what their role is in the novel. Also I would say that the at times when the iceberg spoke, it started out like a poem and then at the end would become confusing and not to the point. Other than these few negative things, that lost the novel only one star, I would recommend this novel to someone who enjoys history from a new perspective and is looking for a quick read full of voice and feelings.
I thought that this novel was interesting and a great new perspective on the story of the tragic event. The author puts a new twist to the story of the Titanic that is different from any other story previously published. Wolf brings many different voices into the story of the Titanic and each character has a unique personality, making the story very realistic, along with the fact that it is based on a historic event. For example Frederick Fleet, a lookout on the ship, speaks in an ungrammatical way, “You might say the crow’s nest is me own special room, although there’s no place t’ sit”(Wolf 93). As opposed to John Jacob Astor, the millionaire, who is well spoken as demonstrated when he says, “ What I loved most about the ancient ruins of Egypt was the way in which they made me feel more modern”(Wolf 147). You can clearly see that these are two completely different people. Wolf also brings in personification when he talks as the iceberg and a ship rat. Talking through the iceberg allows for a foreshadowing effect that tells you what will happen. One of my favorite lines that the iceberg says is “Hearts, slow and steady, never fall asleep. They keep the beat, the meter, steady rocks, like clocks: they tick and tock to track the time, and when two lovers meet they chime, within my frozen mass a can not find, an equal to the heart of mankind”(Wolf 87). This poem expresses and shows the mastery in Wolf’s writing, expressing a vast amount of feelings in just a few sentences.
One of the literary devices that is frequently displayed is irony. Everyone on the ship is certain that even if they ran into a tragic problem, the ship would still float. This is a nice way to see into the minds of people and why they weren't prepared for an event like what happened to the Titanic. I personally enjoyed this novel, with its many wonderful poems and the different voices that shown throughout. Although this book was marvelous I do have to point out that there are many characters and at points it is hard to remember who is who, what background they have, and what their role is in the novel. Also I would say that the at times when the iceberg spoke, it started out like a poem and then at the end would become confusing and not to the point. Other than these few negative things, that lost the novel only one star, I would recommend this novel to someone who enjoys history from a new perspective and is looking for a quick read full of voice and feelings.
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