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Over the Deep: A Titanic Adventure
Ten year old Edwin is surprised to learn that he will be travelling to America on the famous new Titanic. Even more shocking is that he will be going with grandparents he has never known. Why does his mother want to send him away?
Edwin explores the ship, meeting men such as Thomas Andrews, Bruce Ismay, and Captain Smith. Along the way, he also learns secrets about his own family’s past. When the ship sinks and Edwin ends up in a lifeboat separated from everyone he knows, he wonders if he has survived the worst only to be abandoned in the middle of the Atlantic.
Edwin explores the ship, meeting men such as Thomas Andrews, Bruce Ismay, and Captain Smith. Along the way, he also learns secrets about his own family’s past. When the ship sinks and Edwin ends up in a lifeboat separated from everyone he knows, he wonders if he has survived the worst only to be abandoned in the middle of the Atlantic.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Wilcoxson
20 books426 followersWriter, history enthusiast, and sufferer of wanderlust, Samantha strives to reveal the deep emotions and motivations of historical figures, enabling readers to connect with them in a unique way. She can frequently be found lakeside with a book in one hand and glass of wine in the other.
New Release: James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution, published by Pen & Sword History
WIP: Wars of the Roses trilogy, published by Sapere Books
New Release: James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution, published by Pen & Sword History
WIP: Wars of the Roses trilogy, published by Sapere Books
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 22, 2015
This enjoyable and informative young adult novel follows a boy, Edwin, through the adventure of a lifetime, first as his life goes through a great upheaval and transformation, and second as he finds himself an unexpected passenger about the RMS Titanic.
While the book is packed with interesting historical tidbits about the Titanic (I learned quite a bit about the event), it never becomes a non-fiction book in masquerade. A tour of the ship is informative but the author deftly uses the tour to develop the relationship between Edwin and some of the other characters in the story, thus keeping the focus clearly on characters and their relationships.
Edwin's story is of his times as the characters relate to each other according to the social standards of their era. The author observes the period expectations of complex etiquette and class distinctions while retaining the more personable and easy relations between boys on the ship who quickly make friends in a way that was still quite natural and normal when kids still looked at each other as they spoke instead of their cellphones and computer screens.
It's hardly a spoiler to mention that the maiden voyage of the Titanic was not a resounding success. I can't speak for the author's intentions, but I found the story resonant by observing how Edwin's personal upheaval paralleled the Titanic's fateful voyage. Both are young and full of promise with unsinkable positivity toward their futures and both are faced with great challenges and obstacles. It's nice to see how the author was able to use these parallel voyages to send a clear message that there is always hope for survival and new beginnings even in the face of great personal tragedy.
Another aspect I particularly appreciated is that the book never becomes a fantasy of the most irritating type in which the young hero begins to do things that a boy of his age and learning would never do. Edwin is a smart and believable character, never transformed in the heat of the moment into a young fantasy character. He feels real. He has the spark of real life in him. While Edwin is no coward, his courage is tested to the limits. He demonstrates a child's resilience, adjusting to changes that settled adults find greater difficulty in adapting to, but he also feels the shock of the moment and is swept along helplessly by a tide of events beyond his control. The mix is believable and touching.
The author's blend of believable character relationships with the context of their historical setting and her skill at weaving facts into her fiction make this a young adult novel worth reading, an appropriate gift for young readers or adults who enjoy a quick read about the Titanic or the western world of a hundred years ago. I will look forward to future works by this writer.
While the book is packed with interesting historical tidbits about the Titanic (I learned quite a bit about the event), it never becomes a non-fiction book in masquerade. A tour of the ship is informative but the author deftly uses the tour to develop the relationship between Edwin and some of the other characters in the story, thus keeping the focus clearly on characters and their relationships.
Edwin's story is of his times as the characters relate to each other according to the social standards of their era. The author observes the period expectations of complex etiquette and class distinctions while retaining the more personable and easy relations between boys on the ship who quickly make friends in a way that was still quite natural and normal when kids still looked at each other as they spoke instead of their cellphones and computer screens.
It's hardly a spoiler to mention that the maiden voyage of the Titanic was not a resounding success. I can't speak for the author's intentions, but I found the story resonant by observing how Edwin's personal upheaval paralleled the Titanic's fateful voyage. Both are young and full of promise with unsinkable positivity toward their futures and both are faced with great challenges and obstacles. It's nice to see how the author was able to use these parallel voyages to send a clear message that there is always hope for survival and new beginnings even in the face of great personal tragedy.
Another aspect I particularly appreciated is that the book never becomes a fantasy of the most irritating type in which the young hero begins to do things that a boy of his age and learning would never do. Edwin is a smart and believable character, never transformed in the heat of the moment into a young fantasy character. He feels real. He has the spark of real life in him. While Edwin is no coward, his courage is tested to the limits. He demonstrates a child's resilience, adjusting to changes that settled adults find greater difficulty in adapting to, but he also feels the shock of the moment and is swept along helplessly by a tide of events beyond his control. The mix is believable and touching.
The author's blend of believable character relationships with the context of their historical setting and her skill at weaving facts into her fiction make this a young adult novel worth reading, an appropriate gift for young readers or adults who enjoy a quick read about the Titanic or the western world of a hundred years ago. I will look forward to future works by this writer.
March 8, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this with my son. It was so engaging with excellent story and character development. A great young reader that parents will enjoy as well.
March 30, 2015
3 1/2 stars.
Over the Deep is a well written story about the Titanic. It follows Edwin, who gets to sail on the Titanic's maiden voyage with his grandparents. Samantha Wilcoxson does not sugarcoat the story, but it is a solid, yet easy read. There may be some questions from some of the youngest readers who would be able to read this book, but it is definitely worth the read.
*****This book was received through a Booklikes giveaway from the author in exchange for a fair review.*****
Over the Deep is a well written story about the Titanic. It follows Edwin, who gets to sail on the Titanic's maiden voyage with his grandparents. Samantha Wilcoxson does not sugarcoat the story, but it is a solid, yet easy read. There may be some questions from some of the youngest readers who would be able to read this book, but it is definitely worth the read.
*****This book was received through a Booklikes giveaway from the author in exchange for a fair review.*****
February 21, 2015
Fantastic Read
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters came to life and I was sad when the book came to an end. I couldn't put it down.
The author did an excellent job of weaving fact and fiction together to create a compelling story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters came to life and I was sad when the book came to an end. I couldn't put it down.
The author did an excellent job of weaving fact and fiction together to create a compelling story.
December 16, 2024
I just needed a quick read to see me through lunchtime today, and I remembered I had this from Kindle Unlimited. I didn't realise it was quite this short though - only 92 pages - or that it was aged at quite so young an age group. However, it did the job and was actually a lovely little read. We hear the story of Edwin, who discovers that he's about to travel to the USA on a brand new ship, the Titanic. Fascinated by the design and workings, he sets to exploring and making new friends. But we all know how this story ends. All that's left to find out is who lives and who slips beneath the waves...
This puts me very much in mind of one of my favourite kids books; 'Voyage on the Great Titanic'. The only real difference is that the MC in this is a boy rather than a girl and they have slightly different situations that bring themto the ship, and this is aimed at a slightly younger audience. Like the former, it managed to invoke the feelings and awe-inspiring nature of the great ship as seen through the eyes of a child, the class divide in society and the horror of the sinking, wonderfully balancing the level of detail with the need to keep the story suitable for its audience. Likewise, it introduces some of the well-known real people (Thomas Andrews, Bruce Ismay, Captain Smith etc) and situations in such a way that the story acts as a beginners guide to the facts of the disaster, hopefully inspiring the reader to want to find out more.
The story is succint, giving you enough to work with in your imagination but not over-complicating matters. It does leave a few loose threads that I can imagine would cause a child to ask 'but why?' or 'but what about...', though IMO you want kids to be asking questions when reading this type of book.
Yes, for an adult to read this is pretty pointless and there are many, many more books on this subject that will give you more. But I rate this book based on what it should be for its target audience, and if an adult can enjoy it, it's definitely got to have some merits!
This puts me very much in mind of one of my favourite kids books; 'Voyage on the Great Titanic'. The only real difference is that the MC in this is a boy rather than a girl and they have slightly different situations that bring themto the ship, and this is aimed at a slightly younger audience. Like the former, it managed to invoke the feelings and awe-inspiring nature of the great ship as seen through the eyes of a child, the class divide in society and the horror of the sinking, wonderfully balancing the level of detail with the need to keep the story suitable for its audience. Likewise, it introduces some of the well-known real people (Thomas Andrews, Bruce Ismay, Captain Smith etc) and situations in such a way that the story acts as a beginners guide to the facts of the disaster, hopefully inspiring the reader to want to find out more.
The story is succint, giving you enough to work with in your imagination but not over-complicating matters. It does leave a few loose threads that I can imagine would cause a child to ask 'but why?' or 'but what about...', though IMO you want kids to be asking questions when reading this type of book.
Yes, for an adult to read this is pretty pointless and there are many, many more books on this subject that will give you more. But I rate this book based on what it should be for its target audience, and if an adult can enjoy it, it's definitely got to have some merits!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews