BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by GLENDA HARRIS

History gives us some amazing stories, often more amazing than any we could make up. Certainly this is true of “Surviving Savannah,” Patti Callahan’s second historical fiction novel, following her critically acclaimed “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” published in 2018.

The book offers an impressively detailed account of the sinking of the S.S. Pulaski off the coast of North Carolina in 1838. Callahan deftly tells the story of the horrific aftermath of the late night explosion and the amazing survival of almost half of the passengers.

Sailing from Charleston and destined for Baltimore, the steamship was filled with wealthy Savannahians when it was lost to the ocean on June 14, 1838. It is believed that copper boilers exploded, tearing the ship apart. Interestingly, the Pulaski is often referred to as the “Titanic of the South.” It was built with great pride and advertised as solid and seaworthy. It was hoped the Pulaski would help to restore confidence in seafaring travelers after the steam packet “Home” wrecked on Ocracoke Island in 1837.

The novel primarily follows the Longstreets, inspired by the real family of Gazaway Bugg Lamar, a prominent family and part of the elite Savannah Society; in particular, Augusta Longstreet and her niece, Lilly Forsyth, are key characters.

The sinking of the Pulaski was a huge news event when it occurred and affected almost every person living in Savannah, either directly or indirectly. The Pulaski became a major news story again with the 2018 discovery of the ship’s remains, jewelry, gold coins and cherished keepsakes some 200 feet below the ocean’s surface off the coast of North Carolina.

Alternating the narrative between the time period of the accident and present day, we meet Everly Winthrop, a history professor in Savannah who takes on the job of curating a collection of artifacts found on the ship. The two stories take you from the horror and desperation of a shipwreck to modern-day Savannah as Winthrop works to put together an exhibit that will honor the lost and tell their incredible story.

This book was difficult to put down. There is mystery as in what happened to Lilly Forsyth after she survived the shipwreck.

 There is palpable tension and drama reading the accounts of the nightmare of days and nights at sea. And there is an abundance of courage, selflessness and amazing grace, demonstrating the best of humankind amidst the worst of times.

Patti Callahan’s “Surviving Savannah” was published March 9, 2021, by Berkley Books, New York, NY. ★★★★★

NCM