Though I'm not usually much of a peruser of nonfiction, ever since reading Nathaniel Philbrick's "In The Heart Of The Sea" a few years ago, I've had a fancy for anything historical regarding shipwrecks, castaways or maritime disasters. From Robert Kurson's "Shadow Divers" to David Grann's "The Wager", I'm a sucker for a well written, sea faring adventure. Matthew Pearl's latest "Save Our Souls" fell right into this category for me.
A shark-fishing family along with their crew, become shipwrecked in 1888 on a far removed island in the Midway Atoll, along with a stranded murderer! Their time being marooned becomes extended as many ships and schooners come close to their isolated island, but none close enough to even be aware that they are there. I love the comparisons to Swiss Family Robinson, and references to Robert Louis Stevenson.
For others like myself, who sometimes find books on historical events to be a little droll, this book is suspenseful and absorbing nonfiction, with a cast of characters; some evil, others team players who are determined to survive. "Save Our Souls" is an adventure story that will satisfy any reader!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the early reading copy!

"Save Our Souls" by Matthew Pearl is a gripping historical thriller set in the early 20th century. Pearl weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, blending historical events with a compelling mystery involving a sea voyage and a series of dangerous secrets. His meticulous research and skillful storytelling create a vivid backdrop, while the plot’s twists and turns keep readers eagerly turning pages. For fans of historical fiction with a touch of mystery and adventure, this novel offers a captivating and immersive experience.

In the tradition of Erik Larson and David Grann, Save Our Souls is the riveting, true account of an unlucky family shipwrecked on a remote island with a known murderer; and it might just be the book to get you into reading non-fiction.

Fact is often stranger than fiction and books like this illustrate that point. Although it sounds like the plot of Swiss Family Robinson, or maybe a drama mini-series, in 1887 a shark fishing vessel wrecked off the coast of Midway Atoll stranding its remaining crew there. Among those stranded were the Walker family, a captain husband, his wife, three sons, and their loyal canine, Jessie. Far from the lush, verdant islands scattered across most shipwreck fiction, Midway is mostly sand and birds, making survival a constant challenge. But in addition to surviving the elements, the Walkers and their crew have to contend with a mysterious castaway already present on the island, a man whose experience and history may be the difference between life and death.

I knew absolutely nothing about this event prior to reading this. My initial reaction was one of elation and gratitude that someone had gone through the trouble to write a whole book about the topic. This read was exactly what I was looking for, well-paced and researched, with more than enough information to appease my curiosity. The author does a splendid job of building suspense, so much so that one afternoon I read for hours in one sitting because I absolutely had to get some answers. On the whole this was an immediately engaging, well written book laden with a profusion of detail and told with astute deftness.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes exciting, absorbing non-fiction, or even readers who usually only read thrillers and adventure titles, there is more than enough of both here to satisfy anyone.