The Captain’s Daughter – Leah Fleming

There are possibly hundreds of fictional novels based on the sinking of Titanic on her maiden voyage across the atlantic in the early spring of 1912. This is definitely one of the better sort of the genre. The author chose to base her work on the urban legend of Captain Smith rising from the rapidly sinking ship, baby in hand, and passing it to one of the nearby lifeboats. Choosing to forfeit his own life, the captain retreats from the offer of salvation by the commanding lifeboat officers, and resigns himself to dying among the hundreds of passengers being swallowed by the sea. And from there does the real story begin.

From the synopsis, the potential reader can understand the general storyline, although this is only part of the intricately woven story which transcends decades and continents. Titanic only features in the early part of the novel, with its legacy and the aftermath of what happened on that fateful night, becoming more apparent as the story and its characters develop. I found the characters to be entirely believable, no easy task when the focal point of the book is a true event, and the author is careful to pay due respect to the legacy of that night.

A highly recommended historical fictional novel by a new author, whose books will undoubtedly become a firm favourite of Titanic fans. Think the Hollywood movie, times the emotion in that movie by a hundred, and you get this book. A must read.

• Goodreads rating – 3.94
• REVIEW – Laura