Bookjourney traveled to: Southhampton
While not in Southhampton, there is a coffee shop in LA that is referred to as Titanic Coffee
232 pages (Not 2012 like it says on Good Reads – yipes!) 🙂
Cover Story: I like it… it is what drew me to the book in the first place and is a perfect fit for the story.
After being pressured by his girlfriend Julia Magnusson to attend his Harvard 20th Class reunion, Trevor Hughes has no idea how RSVPing to that event will forever change his life. Trevor is a best-selling mystery writer and feels that perhaps his career choice was not as far-reaching as those of his classmates. Catching up with long time friends Solly Rubens (now a wall street millionnaire and the attitude to go with it), Ken Faust (software entrepreneur); and Harlan Astor ( real estate tycoon), proves otherwise.
As the reunion winds down and the four friends share time together over drinks at the Harvard Club, Harlan drops incredible news. He has been working for the last 2 1/2 years on rebuilding an exact replica of the Titanic, doing so in Poland to keep it out of the public eye, and paying the 1500 workers a bonus to keep it top-secret until it is finished. Harlan lost a relative at the sinking of the original Titanic and wants to sail the ship in honor of those who lost their lives on the 100 year anniversary. While Solly has no problem telling Harlan that he is nuts for rebuilding one of the worst catastrophes in history, and Ken uncomfortably excuses himself…. Trevor, who has always been a Titanic fan since James Cameron’s movie, is intrigued, and because of this, Harlan invites Trevor on board for the maiden voyage on April 10th 2012. Trevor, much to Julia’s dismay, eagerly agrees.
Trevor shows up and with Harlan’s more than thrilled approval, has decided that he will interview the guests on board the ship as well as the crew about why they wanted to be a part of the new Titanic. He is going to write a new book that his editor is sure will be a huge success and a publishing company has already paid out advancements on the book for the rights. What Trevor finds through his interviews is more than he bargained for. As Trevor tries to piece together the real reason behind the remaking of this grand ship he meets Madeleine Regehr, a beautiful widow who captures his heart and makes him believe in new possibilities.
I am a big fan, much like our main character Trevor, in all things Titanic. My interest in the ship also came at the time of the James Cameron movie, which I first I refused to see. (*See bonus notes on that below). Reading this book rekindled a smoldering fire within me. I really enjoyed the story of Trevor, and as a fiction mystery writer of course he was going to be a character I would love.
The references to Cameron’s movie as well as shared lines throughout the book made me smile and long to sit down and watch the movie. The actual idea of rebuilding the ship to be sailed on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage I found to be so interesting, although I know not everyone would agree with me on that.
I don’t want to give away too much about this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it, picking it up one afternoon and reading it as late as I could, and then finishing it the next morning. This was a book that I could place myself in and was a joy to read.
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Bonus notes: When the James Cameron’s Titanic movie came out in theaters I had no desire to sit through a 3 hour and 14 minute movie. My friends bugged me to no end until finally, I caved, and Al and I and our two sons went to the movie.
I remember form the point they lowered Kate Winslet’s character (Rose) down the side of the ship in the lifeboat I started crying and pretty much did from that point until the end of the movie. I also remember I had to go to the bathroom so badly but did not want to miss a thing so refused to get up and go – resulting in a mad rush at the end of the movie as well as a headache from crying.
I then proceeded to see the movie with anyone I could get to go with me, no less than 5 more times – in the theater. My most proud of triumph being my assistant manager at the time Colleen, who was not about to watch a movie about a ship sinking. When I finally was able to get her to attend with a group of us she fell in love with the movie just like I had. I made a t-shirt for her that I wrapped up and she had to open in front of a store meeting (about 50 of us) that on the front said “I finally saw Titanic”… and on the backside I had ironed on “… and I cried like a baby.”
This book has been added to my Book Journey 2010 map:
I received my copy of this book from our local Spring Library Sale
it will now be sent to Ryan at Wordsmithonia
(who won this through my “What should I read next?” giveaway – which I will be posting a new giveaway from these books soon.)
Book Journey 
I loved that movie, too. This new book sounds captivating!
The book was written in 1998 Laurel, can you believe that? When I was reading everything Titanic…. this one escaped me!
Hi Sheila, I look forward to reading this book, when available. I loved the Titanic movie and still enjoy listening to the Titanic soundtrack. It’s one of my favorite cd’s.
Oh Alexa I forgot about the soundtrack! I have it around here somewhere! 😀
I still have not watched the movie. Didn’t go to the theater when it was released. Bought it on tape (not DVD – has it been that long?) and still have never watched it. I have read about the Titanic and been interested in the history of the ship, but the thought of watching it sink, can’t do it. I think of the pictures in some of the books I’ve read. Children laid out on decks or in coffins. I have just never been up for a crying headache which I know will be the end result of watching the movie. Maybe one day.
I like the sound of this book. I’ll have to look for it.
You floored me a couple times in your comment here Pat! 🙂
First that you have not seen it…. oh wow – you must take time to watch it!
Secondly – that you bought it in VHS, then I remembered oh yeah – so did I! (I believe I have since upgraded it to DVD but now I am not sure!)
The movie does have some hard parts, I mainly cried for the lost romance (I know…Me! Who knew???) The movie does have a scene or two in the end with the bodies floating but that is the worst of it from what I remember.
It is just such an incredibly sad story and I know the movie changed me. I wanted to know more – the real story and read a lot about it. Al and I even went to an exhibit in Florida of Titanic artifacts.
Really enjoyed your review! Sounds like an good story, and I can see why Ryan was interested. Looking forward to seeing what he thinks of it. Nice job Sheila!
I am curious what he will think too Alexia – I think he will enjoy it like I did. I am so glad he picked it as it would not have been my first choice out of the box of books and now I am just basking in it 🙂
Oh oh .. what happens next???
You got me really hooked now!
Aths I am such a big fan of Titanic…. I really enjoyed this one!
I would love to read this book! I am a fan of all things Titanic to. I actually watched the movie with my ex-husband and we both cried through the end. I saw them move 7 times and still watch it at least 2x a year. I try to read any book based on the Titanic:)
Bobbie – me too! I think you would like this one!
I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I’m so glad to know you liked it as much as you did, I should love it then too.
Ryan I am excited for you to read it too!
So glad to hear this book is a worthwhile read. My son has been a Titanic facts buff since he was a boy. I’ll recommend this to him. (He’s 37 now.) I loved the movie too. Thanks for reviewing this.
Sandra,
I enjoyed it – for me it was a walk back on the Titanic I knew for the James Cameron movie. 🙂
My husband *still* refuses to watch the movie! First it was because he “already knew what was going to happen: the ship sinks” and because the movie took longer than it took the ship to sink. Now his excuse is that everyone told him he *had* to see it, and based on principle alone, he now refuses to watch it. I’m sure he would love it just like everyone else, if only I could get him to sit still with his eyes open for 3 and half hours while it was on. 🙂
Amy that is so funny! I never thought about that before, about the movie taking longer than it did for the ship to sink…LOL
He’s missing out. I loved it! 😀
Thank you for your kind words. I’d like everyone to know that “Titanic 2012” will be reissued in 2012 for the anniversary of the sinking. I have completely revised the book, updating technological references and there is also a completely new ending. I’m hoping you all will enjoy it.
Thanks Bill – it was a real pleasure to read!