The Lifeboat - Charlotte Rogan

'I wondered, not for the first time, if some of life's tragedy arose when people put themselves in situations they were not by nature suited for.'

It is 1914, and newly married Grace Winter, aged 22, and her wealthy husband Henry are on board the Empress Alexandra and destined for New York, having set sail from Liverpool. Then tragedy strikes the ship in the form of an explosion, and in the chaos that ensues, Henry secures a place for Grace on one of the lifeboats being launched. Primarily through journal entries which are made retrospectively, at the behest of her lawyers whilst she is imprisoned awaiting trial, Grace recounts to us her memories of the twenty one days she spent on board Lifeboat 14, which left the ill-fated Empress Alexandra carrying 39 people. 

The tumultuous relationships that ensue between those on board the lifeboat are gradually revealed to us. There is one crew member from the ship on board the lifeboat, Mr Hardie, who seems to naturally take charge of them at first, after all, 'he knew about this world of water.' The passengers on the lifeboat at first hope to 'preserve civility'. However, the diverse personalities on board the lifeboat don't remain calm and compliant for long though, and there are numerous clashes and disagreements as the people realise the severity of their situation on the open seas, and the terrible decisions that will have to be made, as the lifeboat is clearly over capacity.

Grace was a first-class passenger on board the ship, enjoying all the luxuries that such a status offered to her. She recalls dining at the Captain's table, where the talk was of war amongst the men, and of weddings amongst the women. Grace recollects how she met Henry, and how she might otherwise have had a very different destiny had she not married him, as she reveals her background to us, and the sadness that lies therein. 

This is a compelling story, which had me wondering what would happen to Grace, and how life on the lifeboat would change over the days those on board spent on it. I wondered how reliable a narrator Grace is, and what would befall her. How do people behave under such physical and psychological strain, enduring such a terrifying ordeal? On the surface this is a story of tragedy and survival, but it goes deeper, and explores human nature, memory, and morality, and it leaves you with much to ponder.

Another read for me from the Waterstones 11 selection for 2012, and another impressive debut.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Little, Brown and Company for an ebook proof edition of this novel to read and review.