The Voice of Melody

by Kaylene Powell

Faith and grace guided those left home during the whaling era, but their stories often go untold.

The account that inspired Melville's masterpiece and shook an island's reputation only told one side of Captain Chase's story. In this tale, his wife and daughter tell their side for the first time.

Nantucket whaleman Owen Chase is not at home for the birth of most of his children, including his firstborn, Phebe Ann. Owen's wife, Peggy, works to maintain a sense of security while hoping and praying that Owen is safe. But as Peggy is quietly marveling at Phebe's development, Owen's ship, half a world away, is rammed and sunk by an angry whale.

Against all odds—and contrary to preliminary reports—Owen returns home, seemingly well, to his stunned relatives and neighbors. But will life ever be the same for him and anyone who knows and loves him?

Genres: Historical Fiction

405 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2018

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used a whole box of Kleenex while reading this book; it was very, very good. Thank you to Joy for recommending [and gifting] me this amazing book!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t really enjoy this book. For one thing, I was expecting at least some description of whaling and what that work entails, but there was literally nothing. They even refer to the father’s stories but none of that is ever explained throughout the entire book.

Also, it was very hard to keep track of the huge time gaps as well as the ridiculous amount of names of different people who were not central to the story.

By the end, I was exhausted by one bad thing after another that befalls this family. Parts of Phebe’s story I did enjoy and thought her character was well built.

[Beth Radziewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in the voice of Peggy, whaleman Owen Chase’s wife, and then in his daughter’s voice, The Voice of Melody give us insight into how women lived and survived while waiting for the men away at sea to return, sometimes waiting years. Owen returns to unmet children, unforeseen deaths, and untold hardships. The women around him face them all with grace and strength. But how will Owen’s ordeals affect his family?

Kaylene Powell’s The Voice of Melody is well-written with a natural flow that makes it a breeze to read. I liked most the relationships shown between different people on the island of Nantucket, how people from different parts of town are treated compared to others, how African Americans are treated. It is an interesting point of view for such a well known incident. I can relate to Annie’s character a lot. She struggles with trying to please everyone, do everything for everyone, make people like her. It hits home.

I have only two critiques for this book. My first is that I wish Powell would have spent as much time on Annie’s adulthood as her childhood. I was invested in her as the main character, and it felt like most of her life was skimmed with large gaps in between. My second is the amount of religion in this book. I would actually categorize it as Christian Historical Fiction. If I had known this, I would not have read it, but I did end up enjoy the story, so this is just a preference.

The Voice of Melody by Kaylene Powell is a work of historical fiction. It will be published April 17, 2018 by Concierge Marketing Inc.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was an easy read, an interesting story, but something I typically would not have chosen for myself. It’s always good to have an open mind. I would recommend this book to any Christian Fiction fans.

I want to thank NetGalley and Concierge Marketing Inc. for giving me a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Kassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You Concierge Marketing Inc. and NetGalley for providing an advanced e-book copy for me to review. All opinions are my own.

Nantucket whaleman Owen Chase is constantly away at sea trying to provide for his family. Set in the early 1820’s, The Voice Of Melody is told from the perspective of Owen Chase’s family. In Part I the story is told through Peggy’s point of view. As the wife of Owen Chase, we see the difficulties she’s put through to have her husband leave for years at a time while trying to raise her newborn baby all on her own. There’s also that constant fear in the back of her mind that her husband will be swallowed up by the sea never to return.
Part II is told from Phebe Anne’s Point of view. As the oldest child we see her heartbreak over and over each time her father sets out to sail. She tries to remain strong for her younger siblings, but she’s just not sure how much more she can take.

This book is truly remarkable! Kaylene Powell’s writing is beautifully captivating. I was invested in every character and my heart broke along with them. If you love stories about Family, Faith, and strong bonds within a community then this will be the book for you. Also, just an FYI - make sure to have a box of tissues on standby!

Star Rating: 5/5⭐️
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Publication Date: April 17, 2018
Publisher: Concierge Marketing Inc.

[Diane Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advance copy of this book.
Interesting tale on the true account story of Captain Owen Chase from the whaling ship Essex battered by a huge sperm whale in the 1820s, A religious and god fearing family from Nantucket, are put to the test with family tragedy, harshness of their environment and long separations from their beloved father. Chase suffers from the traumatic memories of the tragedy and never really gets over it. Despite this, there are uplifting moments of close family relationships and friendships. Felt quite emotional as I finished it as I’d built a relationship with the characters. Fascinated to read the original account inspired Melville’s take of Moby Dick. Visited the Cape Cod area last year so this inspired me to read the book.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance-release copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
What a satisfying read. An excellent combination of Christian women’s fiction and literary historical fiction. The story behind Melville’s Moby Dick becomes something entirely different when told from the female point of view. Day to day life on Nantucket for the wives and children of the men on whaling voyages carried its own struggles and victories. Powell gives us a warm and heartfelt look at them though characters that resonate with strength and hope.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Adventure

The story of a whaling community and one particular whaling Captain and his family is told so beautifully by this new author. Kaylene weaves a story of Captain Owen and his family in Nantucket. From his first trip at sea, his eldest daughter captivates our hearts and keeps her father close to her heart. Each time he returns, she and the family embrace his homecoming. And each time he sails, the sea takes more of a toll on his health and his family. Well-written and exceedingly engaging to read, we can't wait for another book from Miss Powell!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book and thought it was such a sweet read. It showed the amount of hardship that people go through in the 1800’s and it was just a feel good book.

Toward the end though, it got confusing as the story line was jumping ahead literally just from line to line. I also felt that it went on for too long and it could have stopped when Annie just became a new mother and not continued on for several more years.

[Donald D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good account of what life must have been like in the middle 19th century in Nantucket, New England. It is unusual because it is told from the wife/widow/daughter point of view. It was obviously well researched and the story was woven together with thoughtful skill. A nice capsule of the whaling era in the early years of our founding. It was easy to become attached to the characters.

[Megan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the Velvet Ashes reading club. It was an engaging read even not knowing much of what it would be about before hand. I loved reading about the faithful lives of those people left behind while the sailors went off on their whaling adventures. Annie was a great narrator in the later half which I enjoyed. It now makes me want to read Melville to get the other side of the story.

[Amy Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a mesmerizing story of tragedy, loss, faith and love! The author wrote with such passion and insight into this fascinating time in history. The story is vivid and engaging and true to history. I definitely recommend “The Voice of Melody”.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is based on real people and true events, and it is filled with both the hard and wonderful things of life. Faith in God, devotion to family, and perseverance through hardship come out as major themes.

[Ray Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Well written! I couldn’t put it down! Good job, Kaylene. I hope you write more books as you are talented! ❤️