Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Save Our Souls:
Probably shouldn’t trust the crazy dude you meet on a deserted island.
Quick synopsis:
The story of the shipwreck of the Wandering Minstrel and the attempts at survival of captain’s family and the crew.
Fact for Non-History People:
Elizabeth Walker, the captain’s wife, would unknowingly become the first documented woman to visit French Frigate Shoals.
Fact for History Nerds:
In 1886, about 2,040 people visited Hawaii.
My Take on Save Our Souls:
I have read a lot of shipwreck books. There is a romance to the open sea, disaster, and the fight for survival under the worst of circumstances. I have also long decided to never take a cruise because I know too much. Matthew Pearl and his newest book, Save Our Souls, now makes me wonder whether I can even trust the captain and his mates on land.
Pearl tells the story of the Wandering Minstrel (which is a dumb ship name) and its wreck on Midway Island in the late 1880s. Besides the crew, the entire Walker family is aboard as the captain has brought along his wife and three sons. Midway is a desolate place at this time with no significant resources. There is one hell of a surprise, but I will leave you to discover that one.
I would point out that this story is not exactly like others of the shipwreck/swashbuckling genre like David Grann’s The Wager or Hampton Sides’ The Wide Wide Sea. Pearl is much more interested in the numerous close calls, tangled personal relationships, and backstabbing intrigue. There is still plenty of excitement and struggle for survival, but the focus is just shifted to a greater historical look at the time and place of the wreck. Obviously, for a history nerd like me, it was catnip.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Harper.)
Verdict:
A fascinating shipwreck story. Buy it here!
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