Remembering the Titanic: A Novel

Titanic #2

by Diane Hoh

A year after the sinking of the Titanic, four teens try to cope with memories of that horrific night

It’s April 1913, and survivors of the RMS Titanic have gathered to remember those who didn’t make it onto the lifeboats. Debutante Elizabeth Farr, who had been in first class, lost her father. Steerage passenger Katie Hanrahan nearly lost her life. Still, neither of them wants to be at the remembrance service. All they really want to do is forget. A year after that awful night, Elizabeth still feels the chill of the frigid arctic air, and Katie can’t sleep because of nightmares of being trapped belowdecks, waiting for death. They want it to go away, but Titanic will never leave them.

 

On their voyage one year ago, Elizabeth met a struggling artist named Max, and Katie fell for a boy from her hometown whose brother perished in the disaster. As the four of them strive to make new lives in New York, they struggle to move beyond the night that changed them all forever.

 

This ebook features an illustrated biography of Diane Hoh including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Teen, Historical Romance

Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Diane Hoh is the author of fifty-seven novels for young adults. She grew up in Warren, Pennsylvania but currently resides in Austin, Texas. Reading and writing are her favorite things, alongside gardening and grandchildren.

Reviews

[Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg
Omg
This was the best book ever
I loved the first and the author didn’t fail to deliver on the sequel

I’m not going say like what it was about but it was sooooo good
Drama
Romance
Struggles
I loved like almost every moment of it
So gooooooodddddd

[Saleh MoonWalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onvan : Remembering the Titanic - Nevisande : Diane Hoh - ISBN : 059087585X - ISBN13 : 9780590875851 - Dar 268 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 1998

[Stacie (MagicOfBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will also do a video review here at my channel: http://www.youtube.com/magicofbooks

"Titanic: The Long Night" and "Remembering the Titanic" by Diane Hoh follows a group of characters from different walks of life as they board the Titanic and endure the tragic sinking of a ship many claimed was unsinkable. For those who survive they have to face the struggles of surviving when others did not and discover the hopes and possibilities that the future holds.

As a note: "Titanic: The Long Night" and "Remembering the Titanic" are part of my Year of Rereading for 2021. Find out more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM-R0...

I have not read this duology is what feels like forever! Goodreads did not exist the last time I read this series, so I have no documentation how long ago it's been. My best estimate is perhaps 2003. So yeah....a long time ago. I've read this series quite a few times in the past, back when I was a pre-teen and a teenager, so I was definitely curious to see how these books would hold up now that I'm a grown woman in my thirties. Happy to say that I still highly enjoyed this series, thank god! As I've been doing for my Year of Rereading, I'm going to be sharing my five favorite things about these books and whether or not you may like the series.

1. If You Were Part of Leo Mania, These Books Are For You
Let's get this out of the way immediately: this duology was published in 1998. The very popular James Cameron "Titanic" movie was released in December 1997, but didn't even leave theaters until well into 1998. Believe me, I saw the movie a grand total of 15 times over that entire time. I was obsessed! Before the word "shipper" was a term, I was shipping Jack and Rose and I fell hard into Leonardo DiCaprio Mania. This duology was released at the perfect time to satisfy my Titanic obsession. I was browsing through some of the Goodreads reviews for this series and many call it a rip-off of the movie, and it sort of is. The movie and these books do have some pretty eerie similarities, but not to the point that it feels like plagiarism. What you gotta keep in mind is that publishing a book is a process and I highly doubt Diane Hoh saw the movie in December 1997 and published the first book by March 1998. The timeline makes absolutely no sense for any sort of plagiarism or influences to be incorporated. I think it's all just very coincidental that a movie and a duology were published closely together. Either way, to my teenage self back in the day, this duology fueled my all-things-Titanic obsession.

2. This Series Still Held My Interest
As I mentioned, it's been an incredibly long time since I last reread this series, so I had my concerns returning to this series here in 2021. Would it be terrible? Would it be cheesy? Would it be boring? I'm glad to say I still had an incredibly enjoyable time. And the writing surprising held up quite well. I've read a lot of historical fiction about the Titanic, and there's been many highs and lows when it comes to books dealing with the Titanic. And I have to say, I think this duology is still my favorite books when it comes to the Titanic. I don't know if that's just the nostalgia talking, but it's how I honestly feel. There's just a simplicity and honesty when it comes to this duology that I think many other Titanic related books lack.

3. Great Themes and Issues Explored
I'm a grown woman in my thirties now, I have a Bachelor's in English, so when I read books I tend to look for themes and messages and literary devices. But back when I first read this series, I didn't pick up on certain themes. So rereading now, I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the depth of theme Diane Hoh explored that I didn't pick up on as a teenager. Both books explore things like class politics, feminism, and PTSD. Anyone who knows anything about the Titanic knows how the third class passengers were treated and that a small minority even made it off the ship. First class got first go at the lifeboats while third class were locked behind doors. Diane Hoh does a great job exploring those class differences by focusing on Elizabeth, a first class passenger, and Katie, a third class passenger. Elizabeth seemingly has everything, like wealth and comfort in Katie's eyes, but to Elizabeth, Katie has freedom and independence. That also leads to elements of feminism. Both young women crave independence and the ability to go after their dreams and don't want others to control them. It was 1912 after all and it was frowned upon for any woman, no matter the class, to be earning a living, instead when they should be finding a man to marry to take care of them. The class politics also extend to the room furnishings, the special privileges, and one cringe worthy moment when first class passengers take a tour down to third class and stare at those less fortunate like they are zoo animals. Another great moment, a lesson in don't-judge-a-book-by-its-cover, is when Elizabeth mistakes a fellow first class passenger as a third class passenger just because he doesn't have a proper outfit or haircut and insults him by escorting him to third class. And then moving on to PTSD really quickly, book two is where this topic is primarily handled. It shouldn't come as a surprise that some characters will live or die, and if you've read Titanic fiction in the past, the deaths are not shocking or surprising because you are expecting them. And the same goes for who lives. One character faces survivor's guilt. One faces claustrophobia. One faces nightmares after being stuck in a cold lifeboat uncertain of rescue. One faces nightmares of nearing drowning and freezing to death. I think Diane Hoh did a great job exploring class politics, feminism, and PTSD. It's all handled delicately and all the themes really add to each character.

4. Great Characters
These characters may not be the most fleshed out of characters, but I still love them all for various different reasons. Diane Hoh gives them all life and stories, no two characters are exactly the same. Each character comes from a unique background. Elizabeth is wealthy, but yearns for independence. Max is also wealthy, but yearns to make his own living rather than living off the money of his parents. Katie is a poor lass from Ireland, but she dreams of becoming a singer in America. Paddy and his brother Brian are traveling with Katie, they too with different dreams of starting fresh in America, Paddy with writing and Brian with farming. And of course there's romance! You can't have a Titanic story without a wee bit of romance. Elizabeth and Max are practically Jack and Rose, so of course I love them. Max who has already been living independently strongly encourages Elizabeth to do the same. They are almost polar opposites at times because of their personalities, but they share that same desire for freedom. Paddy was a ladies man in Ireland, but Katie finds herself falling in love with him after a spur-of-the-moment kiss to shock some first class passengers. Both couples are adorable. Cheesy at times, for sure, but my teenage-self loved it!

5. Book Two Is All About the Aftermath
Book 1 is all about the voyage of the Titanic from April 10th to April 15th 1912, with a bit of the rescue by the Carpathia near the end. The book almost abruptly ends, leaving you wanting to know what happens to these characters after this huge tragedy they just faced. Fortunately, there's a book 2, and this one entirely explores the year later after the ship has sunk and the struggles the survivors are enduring. As much as I love being on the ship and the stories that occur, I also love seeing the aftermath. Not many books explore the aftermath, instead opting for the more interesting story of actually being on the ship. I've always found the aftermath just as interesting. How do characters deal with living when others did not? How do characters struggle with their personal demons? How do characters deal with the press? How do characters deal with their futures? Will this disaster hurt them, or will it only make them more determined? As much as I love book 1, I also love book 2 where we really get a better look inside the headspace of these characters and their strengths and weaknesses.

I had a lot more to say about this duology than I realized. I thoroughly enjoyed my reread and I'm glad I still loved this series as much as I did last time I read it back when I was a teenager. It surprisingly held up and I continued to love these characters. And I grasped many themes and issues that flew over my head when I was a teenager that I now appreciate as an adult. If you love all things Titanic, I highly recommend this series. It's not the world's greatest literature, but it's enjoyable and entertaining, and I think Diane Hoh really grasps the terror and suspense of what it must have been like during the sinking.

[Dann · Rating 3 out of 5]

From young adult novelist Diane Hoh comes the period drama Remembering the Titanic. A sequel to her bestseller Titanic: The Long Night, the stories of two couples who survived the Titanic disaster continue as they attempt to move on with their lives – Elizabeth, a New York socialite struggles to keep her promise to her father to look after her mother while also trying to forge a live of her own with an aspiring young artist, and Katie, an Irish immigrant, pursues a singing career and starts a romance with a writer from her hometown who came to America with her. The characters are well-written and likable (maybe even a little Mary Sue-ish), making it easy to root for them. And Hoh does a pretty good job at keeping the Titanic ever-present without feeling forced. Still, the plot-lines are fairly predictable and the narrative tone can be a bit confusing at times. Yet despite some weaknesses, Remembering the Titanic is a compelling novel about dealing with tragedy.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book a long time ago, but because it’s been so long it was like reading it anew. Sometimes you forget things and it makes it feel like the first time you have read the book. It was so good this time. It was, in my opinion, even better than the last time I read it.

Elizabeth, Max, Katie, and Paddy all survived the sinking of the Titanic. Now they are back home and each one is trying to move forward with their lives. Elizabeth is dealing with her clingy mother who refuses to let her move on with her life.  Max is working hard on his painting career. These two are also trying to continue with their relationship against her mother’s wishes. Katie has kicked off her singing career while Paddy is trying to become an author. They each fight daily to keep their romance strong, but that’s easier said than done.

This book was very good, but I did find one inconsistency in the book that bothered me. It talks of Elizabeth Farr and in the same chapter her last name is switched to Fair. Being the fact she is one of the main characters it just did not sit well with me. Other than that, the book was written well. It told an amazing tale of love, hope, and revival. I absolutely loved it....Stormi

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[Divya Bharuka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when i was in class 9, and this book really made me realize that every book has a beautiful story to tell. Remembering the titanic, describes about after effects of happening of the tragedy, in lives of those who survived it, and of those lost their family and friends. the phase all the people went through. Though one year had passed, but the nightmares of the tragedy still haunted the dreams of the survivors. How badly they wanted to lead a normal life and pretended to do so, but were miserably failing to cope up with it. These are beautifully told in the story, The character' s pain could be understood and agreed with.I loved the book a lot!!

[Chrysavgi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically a continuation of what happened to the couples after the sinking of the Titanic. My God Elizabeth's mother is a b*tch!!!!! I couldn't stand her throughout the whole book. However I have to admit that the drama was excellent 👌. Overall, I really enjoyed it , it wasn't as emotionally heavy as I thought it would be so that was good. I would consider this book to be along the categories of romance/ drama while also presenting the theme of trauma , acceptance and resilience. I would totally recommend this book ❤️

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was basically a bit of a catch-up as to where the survivors of the Titanic are 1 year later.
* Elizabeth is living with her mother, she doesn't get to see Max very often, and her mother dominates all her time. Elizabeth feels like she must look after her mother the way her father wanted, but she also wants a life of her own. Elizabeth decides to apply to Vasser, and when she tells her mother her mother collapses. She then gets a lecture from her mother's doctor telling her that her mother has a heart problem, and she shouldn't upset her mother again. Elizabeth later finds out that this is utter bullshit and that this doctor is known for being paid to tell families that people have heart conditions and must be pandered to. She then moves out of her mother's house and in with a female friend and reapplies to Vasser.
* Max moans that he doesn't get to see Elizabeth often, but also spends a lot of time painting. When Elizabeth finally gets to see his paintings, he's been painting 12 canvases of moments from the sinking of the Titanic. Including one which features her father looking down from the ship's railings. He explains that he just needed to get the images out of his head because he has nightmares. At the end of the book he asks Elizabeth to marry him, and she says yes, but that she wants a long engagement because she isn't ready to be a wife yet.
* Katie struggles to find work, but eventually finds a woman who says that she'd be able to get her work if she changes her image. She puts her in a simple dress, and lets her red hair down loose, and gets her to sing Irish songs, and finally Katie starts to get work and earn some money. She's upset when Paddy doesn't ever come to see her sing, and then she sees him at Coney Island with another girl and decides to ignore him. At the end of the book she goes home to her aunts house to find it on fire. She goes inside to rescue the little girl Bridget. She does rescue Bridget, but she also damages her voice because of the smoke, which takes away her ability to earn money.
* Paddy tries to write his book like he wanted to, but doesn't seem to get very far. He's at Coney Island with a woman who he was talking to about his book, but when Katie won't speak to him he thinks it's for the best because he thinks that Katie can do better than him. Then when he gets the call about her being in hospital, he rushes there to see her and they make up.

[Donald Krage · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard to read at times knowing that at the end of Titanic the long night there was an epilogue which explained what happened to all of the characters I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this but then again curiosity got me and I decided to parts of this seemed completely unrealistic to me Elizabeth seeing Katie again in a city so vast as New York I know they might have seen each other at the memorial service but Katie turning up singing at Elizabeth's house seemed unrealistic then the endless chapters of Elizabeth trying to find her Freedom when we know that she kind of gained it in Titanic the long night and the endless chapters of Katie's relationship with Patrick it was kind of hard to read at times when there was an epilogue telling us exactly what happened to the characters after Titanic but I don't regret reading it I just won't be reading it again

[Alexus Cowley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of this book, to me the characters seem a little boring. There are four main characters, Elizabeth, Katie, Max, and Paddy. Elizabeth watches over her mom until she loses it because of all her moms lies that she even adopted a new family! She becomes Elizabeth Fair instead of Elizabeth Farr which is her actual given name. While each of the main characters try to keep a flame of romance alive it is struggling. Some of my hate may come from the fact I have not read the first book I am still not a fan. I would not recommend this book.

[Ananya Mandal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stayed with me after I finished this book was that 705 people survived the sinking of the Titanic and no two people had the same response to the experience. This was the main theme of this book. This is the second in the series but I read this as a standalone book and loved it. Men in the story are written as much better people than women was my one sore point... a little too perfect the men were. Overall a good read this one. Titanic for most of us is Rose and Jack. This book brings out some new characters who were probably on that fated ship.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these when I was a "tweener," and plan to read them again at the and of this summer. I ordered all 6 from Goodwill's across the country, Jenson's Books, Once Upon a Time Books, etc.

It took me YEARS to remember this series! To find it again, ohhh...I am SO elated! 😊😁

I will edit these reviews once I re-read, as it has been almost a quarter century (omg, I'm getting old! XP)

P.S.

Her two books on the Titanic are on my re-read list as well. I bought them this time on Kindle. ;)

Thank you for all the amazing memories, Diane Hoh, and all the new ones that will be made from

[Julie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as much as the The long night .
It was nice to see what happened the main characters who survived the sinking of the Titanic and how they came to terms with it . Well done Diane Hoh these 2 books are well on their to becoming my favourite book's to which I will revisit again and again . Elizabeth and Max and katie and paddle are just 2 of my favourite couples. I love them both.

[dorothy cannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a good read

I read the first book and enjoy it. In the Epilogue the Author have an update on what happened to the Titanic survivors. Then we have another book!!
Not at all interesting and I preferred the ending in the first book

[Pamela Rowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sequel. This book deals with what happens to the characters in the year after they survive the sinking of the Titanic. Some of the characters suffer from post tramatic stress and one character has "survivor's guilt." I thought the book was very well written and worth the read.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sequel to the first story by the author. The plot is woven around two of the survivors of the Titanic, and how they individually deal with their grief, shock, and horror of what they experienced that fateful night, and find a way to live in the future.

[sarah gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, this is the sequel the long night really enjoyed it

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

"He makes the cold go away"

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while I was in grade/junior high. I liked it and wanted to see what I remembered of it, or if it was as good as I thought as a young teenager.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. Just, ugh. I wanted to like this book, but the only good thing I could really find to like about it was that it was short. I enjoyed the first one, it was well written, told a good story within a horrible tragedy, had somewhat likable characters. However, in the second one they all forgot how to be anything except assholes. It's been a year since the Titanic sank, and the two female main characters, Elizabeth and Katie, are attending the memorial. Paddy, Katie's significant other, refuses to attend, while Max, Elizabeth's lover, is there, offending her by sketching people, which is kind of his job, since he's an artist. Paddy is trying to write a book about the Titanic, but doesn't actually want to revisit the night, spends the whole book comparing himself to his brother who died on the ship, and mostly just being a shithead. Katie is trying to be a singer, and has moderate success, until she does something brave, stupid, and wonderful, and loses her voice. After not talking to Paddy for months because she thought he was stepping out on her with another girl (other girl was just helping his with his nonexistent book) they finally reconnect when she can't talk anymore. He opens up about the disaster, she uses baby blocks to spell out whole sentences. Happily Ever After!
Elizabeth has given up everything she ever wanted to "take care" of her mother because that's what she promised her father before he died on the ship. Her mother is an asshole, and lies to and tricks Elizabeth over and over in order to make it so she doesn't leave her, even though all Elizabeth wants is to go to college, Vassar, with a full ride. My mother would have packed all my stuff and left me at the door, different times, I guess. Max supports her through all of this, even though he clearly has his own shit and is sick of her being all wishy-washy. Elizabeth finds out mom's lying, blows up, leaves, and finds herself at Max's place looking at all his Titanic paintings. She's heartbroken and disgusted until he explains that this was his way of dealing with all that stuff, let the healing begin. Elizabeth decides she's going to college, YAY! Mom and Elizabeth make up, Max proposes, Happily Ever After!

The characters are awful. They have forgotten what it was that helped them survive the disaster and are just sniveling cowards. No one will talk about what happens with each other, and none of them think that they're all trying to heal in their own way. Elizabeth and Max have very little interaction with Katie and Paddy, because first class and third class don't mix. This isn't Kate Winslet and Leo Dicaprio people. Although, Elizabeth and Mom do hire Katie for their Christmas party. Everything worked out while nothing was really worked out. The characters barely mentioned the disaster in anything more than passing in the last 10 pages of the book, except Elizabeth, who was constantly whining about it and how it ruined her life and changed her and no one else. Shut up.

Oh, at one point, Elizabeth got a whole new family because she was a Farr but became a Fair. I hate it when stupid little things like that happen, it wasn't once or twice either, it was for at least a whole chapter.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I have read Diane Hoh before and really liked the book along with the fact that I have read several books which include the use of The Titanic. Sorry, Diane, but this book was not one of your best, although I did enjoy it. I had to get about halfway through it before I really was hooked to the story. The beginning was very slow, and I can understand why it wound up on a cart of discard books in my middle school's library. Middle school students will not muddle their way through the beginning of the book to wait for it to get better. That's just the way they're made.

I will say for any of you who like Diane Hoh's other books, take time to read this book. Don't put it down after the first 3 or 4 chapters. As always, this novel was well written and had some well constructed characters, ones you can grow to love. Read her first book first. That might be just what a person needs to keep him or her reading this novel by a talented writer1

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the first book but I hated this one. What happened to my strong leads? I understand that they were trying to get over a tragedy but I felt that the author had a hard time trying to develop their journey. I was really frustrated with Paddy and Katie in this book and I wish the author would have spent more time on developing their story. They started as my favorite couple in the first book to becoming this hot mess in the second. Half way through the book I found myself rooting for John or whatever the other guys name way. When all of a sudden Paddy and Katie made up it made me go "That's it?! All of that just to easily forgive him like that?". I'm just going to pretend this book doesn't exist and take the ending of the first book. Rant over!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the story of the Titanic and this book made me love it more since it brought an insight of what the surviving passengers felt after a year of the tragedy. It also showed how the passengers, both rich and poor, who were originally from the US or from Europe were trying to cope and move on with their lives. What was described may not all be fact but it was still well written and moving.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I totally read this, along with it's prequel: Titanic, the Long Night, back when I was in middle school. I just re-read both and I had forgotten how AWESOME, (and kinda bad) and AWESOME these were! I'm really glad I went back to them, and it gave me a great feeling of nostalgia, re-living my pre-teen reading days when a book like this took me at LEAST a week to read. I think I banged it out this time in about a day and a half. :)

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good, but not great, follow up to the book "The Long Night". It answered some questions leftover from the night the Titanic sank and showed how some people were coping with the aftermath. I feel as though more of an impact could have been made if it was more historically based, but it was still a good read and powerful as well. It reminds the reader how far in safety we have come and who has paid the price.

[Morgan Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually could not finish this book. I loved LOVED the first book, but this one just wasn't up to par. I felt bad for not reading the entire thing, but what I did was nice. I was just not liking the whole depression thing, which drove me insane. I know it would be a little depressing because it's the follow up from the sinking of Titanic, but I just couldn't finish. Sorry to the lovers!

[Lauryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book! It tells you about the survivors and what happens to them after the Titanic sinks. Gives you a bit more insight about the feelings of suvivors and how the cope with life after the disaster.

[Moneyloverrim]

Im reading this book right now but all i wanted to say was that this book completes the first one so yeah this is the sequel to titanic: the long night

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up to Titanic: The Long Night

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as much as the first one! It was awesome!!!!!!!!!