Regular
readers will know that Erik Larson is one of my favourite historical novel
authors. It is therefore no surprise to learn that I loved this book
tremendously. Even if we know from the beginning how it will end, we feel the
suspense rise in each chapter and that, to keep you going all the way through
555 pages, is an art, believe me!
May 1st,
1915. As the First World War begins its tenth month, the Lusitania, a luxurious
British liner, leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Nearly 2,000 passengers
enjoy the modern amenities of this powerful and fast ship nicknamed the
“Greyhound of the Seas”. Germany has classified the seas surrounding England as
war zones, but the captain, William Thomas Turner, knows the rules prohibiting
attacks on civilian ships. Shadowing the liner aboard the German submarine U-20
(Unterseeboot-20), Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, nevertheless decides to
ignore these rules. On May 7th, as U-20 and the Lusitania make their way
to Liverpool, an array of forces both large and achingly small - hubris,
a chance fog, a closely guarded secret and more - all converge to produce one
of the great disasters of history.
Erik Larson
enfolds us in an incredible plot with a suffocating atmosphere. He has done
tremendous research work to tell us this true story where espionage mixes with
sentimental setbacks and the rivalries of decision makers....
I can tell
you that I was disgusted by the British leaders who, instead of behaving like
noble men, behaved like idiots (to be polite). Instead of using information
intercepted from their German enemies to save civilians, they remained in
manipulative mode for the sole purpose of forcing the United States to join the
war against Germany.
I find that
the strength of this book lies in the characters of the story. Here are a few:
the captain of the ship Thomas TURNER, an old sea wolf; US President
Woodrow WILSON, in full sentimental turmoil; Alfred VANDERBILT, a millionaire;
Edith BOLLING GALT, the second wife of President Wilson; Winston CHURCHILL,
already in a position of responsibility; the bookseller Charles LAURIAT who
carries a unique manuscript copy of Charles DICKENS’s “A Christmas Carol” of
1843, a treasure; “Dowie”, the ship’s cat mascot, who leaves the ship before it
sails...
And let us
not forget the one by whom the horror arrives, the Captain of U-20, Walther
SCHWIEGER, described by his officers as a handsome man of great culture and
kindness.
Lapin Blanc de Hotot
