At the Captain's Table

by Gervase Phinn

Sail away with the delightful new novel from Gervase Phinn, bestselling author of The School at the Top of the Dale

A summer cruise should be just the ticket for a few weeks of luxury and relaxation - but for the passengers and crew of the Empress of the Ocean, the sights of the Mediterranean are nothing compared to the excitement on board...

For bickering couple Albert and Maureen, the trip might prove a much-needed escape - or the final straw. Elegant Frances de la Mare is determined to hobnob with the right kind of people - but her penthouse suite proves lonelier than she ever imagined. Meanwhile, precocious twelve-year-old Oliver discovers that guidebooks don't teach you everything, sparks fly when the port lecturer finds himself upstaged by a popular author, dancers Bruce and Babs can't keep in step, and cruise expert Neville just wants someone to speak to.

But as unlikely friendships are forged, feuds bubble in the laundry room, and everyone jostles for a seat at the Captain's table, they might find all their plans going overboard....

Warm, funny and uplifting, this is the perfect escapist read for fans of Gervase Phinn's Yorkshire novels, as well as readers of Celia Imrie, Alan Titchmarsh and Maeve Haran.

'[Gervase Phinn is] a worthy successor to James Herriott, and every bit as endearing' - bestselling author Alan Titchmarsh

Genres: Fiction, Friendship, Family, Adult Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2023

About the author

Gervase Phinn (born 27 December 1946, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England) is an English author and educator. After a career as a teacher he became a schools inspector.

He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.

In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.

He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Albert struggles with the copious quantity of cases wife Maureen brings fo the Mediterranean cruise on the advice of her friend Mrs Mickelby, their inevitable bickering typical of their 25 years of “wedded bliss“. Also boarding is strident Mrs Frances De la Mere well off monetarily but rarely in spirit, she’s obviously in first class. There is Miriam and Edna, elderly spinster sisters, young Oliver a voracious reader accompanying his grandparents and the Reverend Christopher Hinderwell and his wife Esmé who along with others are boarding “Empress of the Ocean”. Some are hoping for companionship and friendship, others to be left alone but what is certain some will be fiercely competing for a seat at the captains table. For some, this cruise could very well change their lives.

First of all, don’t expect much plot because there isn’t one! It’s an acutely observed character based study demonstrating the microcosm of life on board the cruise ship accompanied by much conversation. Some is very lively and extremely amusing and the author as always utilises some deft and apt turns of phrase along with some good double entendres. The characterisation is shrewd and perceptive but it has to be said there are a lot of them and it takes a bit of sorting out who’s who. I especially enjoy the two sisters with Edna‘s abundant malapropisms which elicit a smile, equally enjoyable are Miriam‘s sighing corrections. Oliver is uttered in utterly delightful and the many people he is in contact with find him equally so.

The storytelling makes thoughtful points about books and covers, about rushing to judgement, about kindness and the formation of unlikely friendships .

Whilst it’s certainly a diverting read it’s way too long in my opinion and it’s pretty much all the same the whole way through so you reach a point where there’s nothing new on the menu of the captains table.

Overall, it’s entertaining and whilst I have no intention of cruising the thought of being holed up with some of these people for a fortnight doesn’t bear thinking about !!! Maybe that’s the authors intention, who knows!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for their much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read following the passengers on a cruise. I loved getting to know them all- the snobs, the people embracing the whole experience, social climbers, staff. It really felt like you were along on the cruise, experiencing all the ports and the port lecturers and how they dealt with coach loads on a trip.
I have some of his previous books and loved this one.

[Catherine Ellcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sort of book my mum would have enjoyed. But then, so did I. Like settling down with a box of Dairy Milk for a Sunday afternoon film. Comfortable and none the worse for it.

[Katie Bavington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great characters but far too many for my liking. Some seem unnecessary and add little to the plot of the story. Without them, the book could easily be 50 pages shorter and easier to read. A little disappointed as I had higher expectations for the book. 🛳🌊

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this as my Dad loved Gervase Phinn books so thought I would give it a go. What better book to read during a stormy few days. Easy reading, bit predictable but like getting a hug. My Dad would have loved it 💖

[Gaye Teather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I needed this, I really did. With so much misery going on in the world right now it was such a wonderful diversion to accompany these cruisers on their oceanic holiday. The laughs just kept on coming and I giggled my way through so many hilarious happenings and enjoyed 'meeting' such a colourful mix of passengers. My favourite was young, 12 year old, Oliver who was such a lovely lad; kind, courteous, knowledgeable and an avid reader. Elderly sisters Miriam and Edna were funny and sometimes frustrating. Edna's malapropisms were hysterical. Neville, the seasoned cruiser who knows everything - or does he? All of these and more were the most intriguing of travellers - all with their different personalities and taking the cruise for varying reasons. Although the goings on were funny and frivolous they also hid a number of more serious issues that really gave food for thought and by the end of the cruise several characters emerged with a very different viewpoint to the one they started out with. The conclusion was perfect and really left me with much to think about .I looked forward every day to popping back onto that ship to catch up with these people who really felt like folks I have met or known about. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone needing something light hearted and with a 'real'. cast of characters. Wonderful! My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC which I am happy to review and recommend.

[Redmakesmyheartsing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Gervase Phinn's books about his time as a school inspector and thoroughly enjoyed them. When I found this book I was expecting a similar experience. However, I was disappointed. The blurb said it is laugh out loud humour, I think I groaned a couple of times! The book is full of spelling and grammar errors and needs a good proof read. There are also stupid mistakes like the one armed man hugging someone with both arms. This is a whimsical tale which I would recommend as holiday reading, something which doesn't need any concentration. Overall I was very disappointed 😞

[Paul Woodhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different but kept me reading

Different from the school inspector series, but for some reason I kept coming back to read a little bit more.
A wry observation of people and how humans are a mass of contradictions.
Also some nice quotable passages in the book.
If you like a nice relaxing book with some interesting characters, then this book is plain sailing.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all the Gervase Phinn books I have read so far, this is a truly heart-warming read. By the end you come to know all the Cruisers and their character as though they are members of the local community. Certainly did not disappoint.

[Dorothy Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book is just like being on a cruise, meeting so many new people.
Not having a good memory for names (or faces) you meet people then only remember you’ve met them before, when they start telling you their story, or is that only me 🤣

[Kendra Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Human life in a book

This was a change from other Gervase Phinn books I have read (about life in schools in the Yorkshire Dales), but equally enjoyable. This book covers most of human nature in passengers on board a cruise.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book. There are a lot of characters to keep up with but overall, I enjoyed it.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Although being aware of Gervase Phinn and thinking I'd probably enjoy his books, I had never got as far as reading one before At The Captain's Table, and I know it was the fact it was set on a cruise ship that attracted my attention.

After all I love all travel and cruising and couldn't want to see just what Empress of the Ocean is like. And I get the impression that it was most likely modelled on one of the Cunard Queens - which makes it not the sort of ship that I would prefer to cruise on, but made it perfectly suited for the sort of story that was being told.

For we meet absolutely loads of the guests and crew, in short snippets, in a manner that you may think would be confusing but in fact made perfect sense and once I was used to the writing style I loved the way everything was told to us.

Because being on a cruise ship you do keep running into the same guests over and over, so you do start to get to know them a bit better than the initial surface cruise ship chat my imply. And there is a wide ranging group of people on this particular Med cruise.

Easily my favourite was Oliver, who is a rather unusual 12 year old boy, and proud of it. He is eloquent, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in the ports and their historic sides. Although I did feel it rather unrealistic that he was being allowed to explore the ports on his own, even if his grandparents had disembarked with him. It just didn't ring true to anything that I know which was a slight shame.

Other than that, I recognised elements of many of the guests on board, and that of the entertainers and crew too. I felt as though I was on the voyage alongside everyone and was curious to see the various ports on this itinerary too.

However again, I did feel that some elements weren't realistic, like a ship that has just done a med cruise, having a Caribbean cruise as it's very next sailing. Given just about every ship would do a transatlantic between the cruising seasons, sold separately to a Caribbean cruise, as they attract different clientele.

With the few weird things aside, I was invested in these characters, and curious to see how their holidays would turn out.

A completely different narrative style to what I'm used to, but I felt it really worked well for this book. And I really do think I should get around to reading other books from this author at some point.

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever been on a cruise then this book will be a delight to remember all the wonderful and colourful characters that you might have met onboard. if you have never been on a cruise – don’t let these wonderful and colourful characters put you off. Cruising is a great experience.

The Empress of the Ocean sounds as grand as it is named and it is setting sail for the Mediterranean and onboard are a cast of characters:

Albert and Maureen, constantly bickering and Albert feeling completely hen pecked this cruise, which he didn’t want to spend the money one is either going to make them or break them.

Sisters Miriam and Edna, full of mirth and malapropisms, selectively deaf and very outspoken. Observing very loudly what everyone is thinking about their fellow passengers. Be it on your own head if you get in the way of Edna, her dodgy hip and uncontrollable walking frame.

Young Oliver, twelve years old with his grandparents and with a passion for history and books is what you wish every young polite man to be. Is he missing out on living what a twelve year old boy should be living or is he wiser than all the passengers and even some of the crew?

Lonely Frances de La Mare has booked a penthouse suite for it’s recognition and status but she finds herself even more isolated and why has she not been invited to dine at the Captain’s Table when other more lowly people in her opinion have.

Sandra, chatty and keen to mix with everyone. The vicar and his wife, the lottery winners, the doctors on holiday, the port lecturer, the guest lecturer, the pianist, the dancers; the list of characters is endless. But not so that is becomes too confusing, they are all mixed together well and all have their part to play in this voyage.

As you sail along the sea and stop at some interesting places, you learn about the area and more about the people. The book lasts the length of the cruise and we get to see the whole microcosm of people, society, beliefs and behaviours. It is almost like mini vignettes throughout the book with some laugh out loud moments and some moments to catch you right out.

If you were expecting something like his previous school stories, then you will perhaps be a bit disappointed but what you are getting is strong characters, strong stories and strong laughter.

The perfect holiday read.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

At The Captain’s Table by Gervase Phinn is the most delightful contemporary novel giving the reader the taste of life on a Mediterranean cruise ship.
This is the latest offering from Gervase Phinn and I enjoyed every minute of it. I found myself torn – wanting to read on, but not wanting to finish the book!
Once more we are treated to an eclectic mix of characters sailing on the high seas. The setting is a departure from the Dales but equally entertaining and captivating.
I loved the interaction between the characters. I spent the novel either sniggering or laughing out loud – especially at some of the malapropisms! Young Oliver at twelve years old warmed my heart. He had a very old head on young shoulders. He looked seriously at the world and was wise and kind. He saw the invisible and he reached out with kindness.
We see that you cannot judge a book by its cover. There was much more to a Church of England vicar than his dog collar suggested.
Gervase Phinn has produced another marvellous book. He is a talented author, capturing the unique personalities with his words. He also paints the Mediterranean landscape through his words. This is a unique, very witty and engaging tale that delighted me.
I absolutely adored At The Captain’s Table and am now eagerly awaiting the next offering from Gervase Phinn – although as this only came out on 9th June 2022 I guess I am in for a little wait!
If Gervase Phinn writes it, I always want to read it, knowing I will adore his books.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read and loved most of Gervase Phinn’s village school series, and after a long break, I returned to his writing with From the Captain’s Table. This one takes a different route—literally—set aboard a cruise ship and without the familiar school inspectors.
It’s a delightful read, filled with an eclectic mix of characters, many of whom are surprisingly rude and unpleasant. While the story wraps up satisfyingly for most, I felt Maureen, one of the most obnoxious characters, got off far too lightly. Her ending felt overly generous given her behavior.
There were some repetitive elements, especially the constant praise of young Oliver Champion, who is described as wise beyond his years and impeccably behaved—perhaps a bit too often.
The banter between Edna and her sister was hilarious, though if I were the ship’s captain, I might have considered offboarding them for the chaos they caused! One of the funniest moments was during the Pope’s daily audience, when Edna tactlessly exclaimed, “Oh, talk of the devil and there he is!”.
I listened to the audible version narrated by the author.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a number of Gervase Phinn's books set in and around schools. This included his autobiographical and fictional books. I have enjoyed those in the past so decided to give this one a try.
Set on a cruise liner we follow the stories of a few of the passengers and crew. Nothing major such as a murder or kidnapping happens but it is rather a look at the characters and their relationships.
Unfortunately I didn't feel that this book was up to the standard of his previous work. This is a very character driven book with all the focus on the people and their interactions. It didn't take long for the characters to feel very contrived and caricatured. One character's constant malapropisms got very tedious and were included in practically every sentence. Arguments and speculations all felt very rehearsed and showed a lack of spontaneity.
This book just didn't work for me and left me feeling disappointed.

[nia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love gervase phinn books and with my family having read this and told me how good it was, I was super excited for it but left with a slightly bitter taste.

While the character descriptions were brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything that could go wrong, go wrong. I did find that so much of this book felt like the characters had been lifted from the Little Village School Series and I found it quite sad that there hadn't been much of a change e.g.:

the vicar and wife who is a teacher
oscar to oliver
de la mare childhood story is a carbon copy of the miss hilda sowerbutts and robbie childhood story lines

This was annoying so I would love to see a change up. But I liked the humour as always it was perfect for Phinn, and the ending felt fitting. I would've liked a follow up but with less similarities to the village school series.

[Mrs B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A warm-hearted snapshot of life on a cruise, filled with eccentric characters and enjoyable mini-plots. There are snobby passengers who find a spark of human connection, old comrades who are unexpectedly reunited, and unpleasant bullies and bores who get their comeuppance.

The trouble for me in reading this book is that I’ve been a long-term Gervase Phinn fan and I couldn’t help noticing that some of the most endearing characters have been recycled from his other works. Lovely young cruise passenger Oliver very closely resembles Joseph from other books. Frances De La Mare, with her flashy jewellery and snooty style is very similar to Mrs Savage. Even the character names (Connie, De La Mare) are staples from the Dales series. For me, this took the edge off an otherwise enjoyable read.

[Tom Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

No real plot, just occasionally sardonic observations of the antics of as motley a crew as one would (not) wish to meet. I find the characters a little too overdrawn but highly recognisable and the book is an enjoyable gentle read. Almost everyone described appears to mellow as the book develops but it's a little too saccharine at times and quite how the monstrous elderly spinsters - well, one is monstrous - survive without earning any sort of comeuppance is a little unbelievable. A book to entertain without difficulty.

[Soozee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of little vignettes centred around a Mediterranean cruise and the characters who come on board. The characters are very stereotypical - the elderly sisters, one adept at malapropisms; the disappointed wealthy woman; the arguing couple; etc etc. The author uses the opportunity of the cruise to air his knowledge of the various sites they visit.

It is not particularly well written but its an entertaining read if you're looking for something lighthearted. Not as funny as his earlier books and fairly predictable, but mildly fun.

[Bookworm Suz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t want toot my own horn here, but I am by no means an ill educated person… This book, however, left me feeling stupid! I found myself having to google so many of the descriptive words used in this book it’s embarrassing to admit!! I felt it unnecessary!

I liked the idea of the book from reading the blurb, but I cant say I enjoyed reading it all that much. For me there were too many characters that at one point I was confused who I was reading about.

I was left rather deflated when I finished reading as I felt some of the character’s stories were building to some sort of happy ending but nothing actually came to fruition.

Would I recommend it? Probably not.

[Chris Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who would run a mile if offered even a free trip on a cruise ship, I approached this book with trepidation. But, as I really enjoy the uplifting and wry humour of Gervase Phinn, I persevered. Surprisingly to me, I really enjoyed the book. Gervase offered his trademark array of interesting characters, described in great detail and with a fond irony. The text abounds with malapropisms, traditional sayings, mishaps and successes, just like in his books focused more on education.

[Rafina · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - really tried to finish this as I don't like to leave books unfinished. However, there was no plot and it was more about character descriptions or situations. I also found the character who kept using words wrong a bit repetitive. It's a shame as I especially wanted to read it and enjoy it having recently been on a cruise myself. A positive is that some parts were funny and clear to imagine happening on a cruise.
I will give his village school series a try instead.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the cover and then I fell in love with this heartwarming and entertaining story.
A cast of quirky and likeable characters, a compelling plot, lovely setting.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's escapism at it's best.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

#netgalley #atthecaptainstable I laughed all the way through this delightfully funny book and even laughed out loud at times. This book is the perfect relaxing escape, well written and love the characters.
Highly recommend this book. Although there were many characters it was still an easy read. I still have a smile on my face. 5/5 stars

[Vanessa-Ann Dowsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this gentle very witty book about a group of people brought together on a liner cruising around the Mediterranean. Thank you Gervase for the times I laughed out loud, especially with the lady who clearly outdid Mrs Malaprop and for the sad and thought provoking times. Wouldn't we all have wanted an Oliver, or, would we? Highly recommended

[Emma Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic, one of my favourite reads of 2023 for sure. It’s got Gervase Phinn’s trademark humour and gentle approach and was so incredibly cosy. I loved meeting every character of this book so much (Olivier, the precocious, studious child was my favourite) and the cruise setting is wonderful, especially if you’ve ever been on one. Wonderfully cosy read.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a pleasant read but as Ceecee put in her review, it has no real plot. There are a large number of characters and so I occasionally found myself flicking back through the previous pages to remind myself who certain people were. Personally I preferred Gervase’s previous school based novels.

[dennis Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the simplicity of this book. All the different characters from staff to children from rich to the not so rich. Love and hate stories with a twist with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. Good read.