Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan In the early 1800s there was little known historical event, the sinking of the steamship, PULASKI which provides the back drop of the story . The events follow the lives of the passengers and survivors. A bit slow in parts but overall an interesting story.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This book started out very well. I was fascinated by the two storylines. In the first, a modern day history professor is called upon to prepare a museum exhibit for the recently discovered shipwreck Pulaski. She becomes embroiled in the research. The second involves passengers on the Pulaski in 1838. Initially I found both storylines equally interesting. However, as the book wore on into hundreds of pages, I definitely preferred the 1800s storyline.
The contemporary protagonist had so much personal baggage that it became annoying. The author reiterated her issues as though the reader could not absorb them the first dozen times. The historic plot also became overly drawn-out and detailed. Each of these stories would make a decent novel on their own. However, the author packaged the historic shipwreck as a metaphor for the contemporary professor's personal losses and grief. I think this was supposed to be profound. Instead I felt as though the author had beaten me over the head with a philosophy lesson.
It seems the author was trying to tell too many stories in one novel. It was not confusing; it was ponderous. She tied up absolutely everything that could have been considered a loose end in excruciating detail. Apparently she wanted to address every concern book reviewers complain about.
70% of the way through, I wondered when this book would ever end. I started skimming. If you make it to this point, skip to the last chapter. The modern historian gives a speech at the opening of her exhibit which sums up the entire story. Also read the author's note if you are interested in what is fact and what is fiction.
So why did I give this book 3 stars? The beginning of the novel captured my attention. The Shipwreck Pulaski is a fascinating topic. The historic plot is a 4 star story. The contemporary plot deserves two stars at the absolute most. Melding the two should have been done more efficiently. I generously averaged the two numbers.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

Patti Callahan is one of my favorite Southern authors and a beautiful writer of historical fiction. Based on a true event, the sinking of the steamship Pulaski, Callahan weaves a compelling story of Southern gentry prior to the Civil War. Everly Winthrop, a modern day historian, is presented with the opportunity to curate an exhibit on the Pulaski, sometimes called the Titanic of the South. Everly researches the history of the Longstreet Family, some of whom survived the sinking of the steamship. As she discovers the history of this family, she is also confronted with dealing with her own recent loss of her best friend. Callahan explores the theme of loss and grief through these parallel plots.
How one survives and moves forward is a major theme as Callahan looks at the characters and their decisions to move forward either successfully or sometimes in bitterness and anger.
This novel is beautifully written and carefully researched. The descriptions of Savannah are so accurate, the reader can imagine walking the squares and stopping to view the astounding architecture of the old mansions.
This novel is a great read for historical fiction lovers and especially for those interested in strong female characters.
Highly recommend!

I learned so much about Savannah and the 19th century shipwreck of The Pulaski! Thank you @pattichenry for such an interesting, well researched piece of historical fiction!
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The story takes a present day story and weaves it together with a family who was actually on The Pulaski.
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Through the unfolding of both stories we learn about the ship and those who were on it - and so much more.
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I appreciate the extensive author’s note at the end - explaining the fact and fiction of the story. The research done on this book is impressive.
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I think it’s time to make another visit to Savannah!
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I highly recommend this book - coming out March 2021. Four stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A historical fiction account of the ship Pulaski, that left from Savannah, GA in the early 1800s, and its survivors. Not many have heard of the Pulaski, and its legacy, but Patti Callahan left me wanting to know more about the story of the Pulaski. As a Georgia resident, I enjoyed this story.

This is a wonderful example of historical fiction about a city I love and about a disaster that I never knew about. I could not put this book down. Thank you to the author for a superb reading experience.

Savannah is a jewel of the South except in summer when heat, humidity, and flying objects rule. On June 14, 1838 the steamship Pulaski set sail to take the important and rich citizens to their cooler homes up the coast. On their advertised only one nite at sea a human error blew the boiler and the ship sank. This is the story of the lost and the found and the the objects that survived them. It is also the story of a a diver who found the wreck 180 years later and a present day mermaid who put the stories together for a museum. The research was amazing and you are drawn into the story from the first page! This is a winner in all categories!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book .
Historical fiction based to a large extent on historical facts. The storyline alternate s between the time of the sinking and present day. The characters are well developed and likeable. The terrors endured by survivors were depicted so realistically as to make the reader uncomfortable. Loved the book.

This book was just a damn good read. The whole shipwreck/museum thing was fun. Loved the way the story bounces between now and the past.

This is not your usual historical novel, in that there are two storylines: One present day, one in the past. I especially liked the character Lily and found myself rooting for her. I was disappointed when her denouement was summarized, rather than dramatized.

How the past and present interlink in this book is interesting but at times felt overdetermined, not organic or smoothly written. I think with a tighter edit, this book could have been a more captivating read. It had lots of repetition. I found myself skimming at times; at other times I was gripped by certain scenes (ones taking place in the past; the present-day story didn't grab me).

For a book that handles the weaving together of past and present in a powerful way, I'd recommend Wallace Stegner's "Angle of Repose."

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Exciting new novel by one of the South's best writers. Historical fiction of the sinking of the ship, The Pulaski ,off the coast of North Carolina in the 1830"s. Probably the best book by this author that I have read. So much detail and history in this book of Savannah and its people during this time. If you haven't been to Savannah and to its beautiful squares, cemeteries, etc. you will want to travel there after reading this book. The author has put so much information in this book, you can tell how much research was done.to write such a story. Thanks Net Galley for approving me for this. Highly recommendable book.

Surviving Savannah is a wonderful accomplishment by Patti Callahan. Her research is abundantly evident and she masterfully weaves this age old mystery with a modern view. The alternating stories are expertly dovetailed with each other and readers will find themselves engrossed in this story of survival, both physical and emotional. The exciting climax of the survivors of the wreck makes this a page-turner, and will be a favorite of book clubs and historical fiction lovers. A true gem!

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
1838 and the United States has a Titanic-like disaster. The ship Pulaski explodes on it's one-night voyage, as the wealthy families of Savannah try to escape the heat for their summer vacations up north.
Present Day Savannah, and historian Everly tries to piece together the unknown stories of the women and slaves of the disaster, who's harrowing tales did not appear in the newspapers of the day. All the while she curates a museum collection of artifacts and tales, she is trying to cope with her own survivors guilt. Could unraveling the stories left behind help Everly (and Maddox and Oliver) heal their own guilt and grief?
I quite enjoy "now and then" tales - especially as they weave together to a resolution. This one ticks all of the boxes, strong women's histories, intrigue, healing, a touch of romance, and enough tension to keep me turning pages. Outside of being a page turner, the one thing that will get me to give an historical fiction 5* is the sheer number of times I set the book down to Google more information, and then how much I care to read the authors notes. Let's just say, 5*. Well written, well done.

When I saw the author's name I knew I had to read this, she is aka Patti Callahan Henry;
I have read every book by her. I was excited to receive this ARC.

The Steamship Pulaski, or the Titanic of the South, met a terrible fate the first night's voyage.
A History Professor who was raised in family big on legends, lore, and stories
gets an assignment that she can't turn down. Research the sinking of the Pulaski.

I felt like I was there, I enjoyed this book so much that I will be researching this information further.
I want to know more of this historical event.

As I write this I have just finished this wonderful book and I am completely blown away. First of all, I have never heard of this accident so I had no incoming knowledge of what was about to display over the coming pages. Second, this is my first Patti Callahan book (even though I simply adore her on Friends and Fiction), and I am now asking myself why I have not escalated her books up the TBR pile. Third, I simply could not love this book more.

Now about the book, it takes place over two time periods, 1838 and 2018. In 2018, Everly lives in Savannah, she loves her town, but is struggling since her best friend died. She feels responsible and is given an opportunity to study a found shipwreck and curate the artifacts. 1838, we see families board a steamship, they are heading north to try and escape the oppressive heat of the southern summer. What they never expected was their ship would blow up and not everyone would survive. Who survived? What are their stories? Who is this Noble Boy and the Red Devil? Oh, you are going to have to read this book to find out the answers. Please don't forget to read the authors notes, there are so many interesting things on how fiction blends with nonfiction.

I am going to re-read this before I put my stamp on it, but I think this might be my favorite book of 2020.

This book was received as an ARC from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was in awe throughout the entire book of the history behind the ship and all of the stories of the passengers aboard. This is a book that can take you away and be part of the action and live through the ships experiences while secrets are uncovered and survivors are exposed. Such a jaw-dropping, historic tale that will leave you captivated from beginning to end. I know this definitely will win our patrons over and it will have a home in our Historical Fiction collection.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I am a major fan of Patti Callahan and have read and enjoyed all of her novels. This is absolutely her best novel yet and one of my favorite books of the year - would give it 100 stars if I could. She took a subject that very few people knew about and did deep research to make the story come to life. Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end of the book about the research that the author did for this book and information about the real people that were part of the Pulaski story.

Many times when I read dual time line stories, I am more interested in one of the stories and kind of skim through the other. In this book, both timelines were fantastic and both had an exceptional main female character - Lilly in 1838 and Everly in present time. Both of them are facing major issues in their lives and need to make major changes to find happiness. Do they both succeed????

I loved this novel - the writing is exquisite. I rarely underline in novels but did significant underlining in this book for phrases and descriptions that I want to remember. The descriptions are so well done that I felt like I was visiting Savannah again and the descriptions of the survivors of the sinking waiting and hoping for rescue were the reason for tears and a few bitten off fingernails. My prediction is that this will be one of the must read books of March, 2021 and my advice is to pre-order a copy so you don't miss it. I read an e-copy but plan to order a hardcover copy so that I can put it on my 'favorite books' shelf in my office. DON'T MISS SURVIVING SAVANNAH!!!!

A double time-line story that will touch your heart and soul.

This is a story of historian Everly Winthrop and her research into the little known steamship accident of the Pulaski in 1838. This is also a story of grief, resilience and soul-searching interwoven in the story of life-living, shouldering your grief, but never letting go of your choices for life.

Unexpected trauma and its after-effects can touch any of us at any time. How you go on surviving the pain, the heartache of loss, cherishing the memories and moving forward are the foundation of this story. One must own up to the truth of one's choices-good and bad.

Beautifully written and researched, atmospherically outstanding , you will feel like you are there in this noble city of Savannah and the ever changing waters of the Atlantic.

Please make sure and add this one to your reading list for next March, 2021.