Book By: Terrie Todd
September 1940, SS City of Benares: a luxury cruise liner transports ninety British children and their adult escorts across the Atlantic toward Canada.
This is a retelling of the actual account of Mary Cornish, escort to fifteen girls destined for Canadian shores. But during their crossing, the unthinkable happens, a German U-boat torpedoes their ship and their two military escorts. This is the story of their survival at sea.
Each chapter begins with a letter, an article, or a transcribed interview of people involved with the sinking of the SS City of Benares. Relatives from England, foster families from Canada, survivors, and passengers before their demise. There’s even a letter from a German soldier included. These pieces of history tell of the hope and despair of a senseless act of war. Much of the text from these letters, is from first hand sources. The author created the other pieces to enhance the story (the author’s note provides interesting insight to this particular element).
It’s a miracle that lifeboat twelve survived over a week drifting in the Atlantic. The majority of the retelling is about their survival – the incredible conditions the children and adults on board had to deal with. Mary is considered a hero when she returns, but from her own point of view, she doesn’t agree.
I recommend reading the author’s note at the end of the novel, as readers are given more information as to which parts of the story are real and imagined.
The historical detail is incredible, allowing readers the ability to enter Mary’s world of 1940.
I received a copy of the book as part of the book launch team. All opinions expressed are my own.