DEEP SLEEP: They went down with the Titanic but lived to take the blame

by Paula Astridge

I especially liked the book’s focus on the three men – the way their lives intertwined and how it all came together at the end. It was all very satisfying and as I closed the book, I said to "Well done!”Rob RondeauInterim Director - OperationsMuseum of Archaeology & EthnologySimon Fraser UniversityThe Titanic resurfaces at the skilled hand of Paula Astridge - NOMINATED AUTHOR OF THE PRESTIGIOUS MOUNTBATTEN MARITIME LITERARY AWARD.The lives of those on the Titanic hinged on the tying of a shoelace and the taking of a nap -- two tiny details that made all the difference and dictated the actions of those steamships’ respective captains -- Arthur Rostron and Stanley Lord. One rushed to save those drowning, while the other, to his life-long dishonour, appeared to turn his back on the whole disaster. But nothing is ever what it seems and some said the shame rested with those who accused Captain Lord unfairly in deliberate defiance of the facts. It is an astounding story that gets right to the bottom of the Titanic and beyond. Astridge has pieced together the careers of these two captains to uncover who was to blame, who was to benefit, and to what depths some were prepared to sink when it came to cover-ups, cowardice and courage. A novel, so up-close-and-personal that the reader feels as if they’re talking one-on-one with Titanic’s Captain Smith and with the much maligned Chairman of the White Star Line, Bruce Ismay, who was perhaps unfairly branded a coward for escaping at the expense of women and children. The author “Ever since seeing the movie ‘A Night to Remember’ as a child, I’ve felt compelled to follow through on the story. I never got over the sight of the ship’s lights going out and of its mammoth black hull standing perpendicular to the sea before it sank. I always wondered what happened to those who survived and to the brave men who saved them. Now, at last, I’ve had the chance to pay tribute to the truth, laying to rest the lies, along with the sacred bones of those at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Please do take this nostalgic voyage with me and let me know what you think.”

Genres: Historical Fiction

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2020

Reviews

[Nathália · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Paula Astridge, for sending me a digital copy of Deep Sleep in exchange for my honest review.

Deep Sleep is a historical fiction centred around the Titanic and the three captains involved with that tragic event. We follow Charles Lightroller, second officer of the Titanic, Arthur Rostron, the captain who came to the aid of the victims, and Stanley Lord, the captain who failed to answer their distress call. In this very well researched book, we see how each of them came to be in their positions and how their lives were impacted because of that tragedy, up until their deaths.

As much as this is historical fiction, it's incredibly close to reality, so it reads like a documentary. What really intrigued me is that I had never seen a historical fiction set in the Titanic before and my broadest knowledge of the accident was the 1997 film (so basically, how Rose left Jack to die as there was plenty of space for the both of them); therefore I was really excited to learn more about that period in history.

You follow the captains from the moment they first wanted to work in ships until their deaths, through the Titanic crash and the two World Wars, making this a very in-depth book about all of their lives and how each of them got affected by that day. From reading the synopsis I first believed this would all be about the Titanic and, as much as I feel like the book is much more interesting by intertwining all their life stories, the events surrounding the crash were still the most entertaining parts for me.

The writing was beautiful and it made me feel like I was there, not once thinking if what I was reading was absolute fact or merely an inference made by the author. You know that hours of research were poured into the making of this book and the way each chapter follows one of the captains at the same moment in time was truly well done and made me want to keep reading. The characters were also great to read about and one of the best parts of this was seeing how each had a unique reaction to the crash and were all impacted in very different ways, not only by that day but also by the subsequent trial and press coverage.

The pace of this did get a bit slow, particularly around the midway point, and I found myself reading it for only shorter periods of time because not much was happening or I wasn't interested enough. I think if you like ships and are interested in this period of history, you definitely should pick this book up. It's a novel-meets-documentary which makes it accurate at the same time that's enjoyable to read.

I gave this book 3.25/5 ⭐️ , simply because it was a bit too historical for my personal taste and it didn't keep me intrigued enough, but I still thought it was fascinating (and it made me want to rewatch Titanic and see all the drama Hollywood added to the already dramatic event).

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Sleep is a fascinating look at the Titanic disaster. It is not focused on the passengers but on the captains and crew involved that fateful night on the frigid Atlantic. Although I've read many books about the Titanic, this one was full of information new to me. The author's research is mind-boggling on its own, but then she turns it all into an impossible-to-put-down novel. The story doesn't end with the sinking of the Titanic or its aftermath but continues with the lives of those involved in the rescue, through World War I and II. If you enjoy Titanic fiction, you don't want to miss this book. Kudos to Paula Astridge for an exceptional novel.

[delphine kuiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Thoroughly well researched and well written about the intersecting lives of the Captains, rescuers and much maligned others involved with the Titanic rescue and it's aftermath. Couldn't put it down. Got me engaged immediately and kept me reading with empathy and interest about each of the people involved. Highly recommend.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Deep Sleep. I picked up a copy at a Titanic exhibition, and read it in one night, I couldn't put it down! The lives of the Officers involved in that fateful night were fascinating and it opened my eyes to more of the story around the Titanic.

The fictional aspects of the book were beautifully written and made the book an exceptionally interesting read.