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ClareR (6008 KP) rated The Deep in Books

May 29, 2020

The Deep

Alma Katsu | 2020 | History & Politics, Horror, Thriller

9.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is a book that starts off in a pretty harmless, if tragic way, and goes on to weave the stories of the Titanic and the Britannic together. Annie Hebley is an ex-stewardess from the Titanic, and when we first meet her she is a patient in an asylum. A fellow stewardess invites her to work on the Britannic some years later (1916), after it has been converted in to a hospital ship. Without any nursing experience, other than what she has watched the nurses do in the asylum, Annie accepts the job.

As soon as she sets foot on the Britannic, the memories of that fateful Titanic journey come flooding back to her. The atmosphere on the voyage in the lead up to the Titanic's destruction, can only be described as menacing. The passengers are fascinating - there's a real mix of people that we learn about. There is something definitely not quite right about the ship, but I was never able to put my finger on it (and I think that was intended). And that feeling follows Annie on to the Britannic.

I always think the unseen menace is far more frightening than what can be seen, and I really enjoyed this approach. I loved learning the backstories of the passengers, and the eventual reveal of Annie's story too. It really is historical fiction with a twist (that twist leaving me with a reluctance to ever get on a ship, if I'm honest). How Annie ever gets up the courage to board the Britannic, I'll never know.

If you know your history surrounding these two boats, you'll have a pretty good idea how this all ends, but it's the journey, isn't it? And it's also the way in which Alma Katsu manipulates that history that I really enjoyed. If you like your historical fiction a bit dark, a bit gothic, then you'll really like this. I did.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.