Dead Wake (NS, I think)

SusieBW

I don't think these are spoilers, anyway - everyone knows what happened to the Lusitania, right?  If you don't, maybe don't read this.







I just got to the part in the audiobook where the ship gets torpedoed and is sinking, and it made me feel sick to listen to it.  I knew what was coming, but I didn't expect to have such a strong reaction to it.  I read and listen to all kinds of non-fiction books about war and crime, not to mention the violent fiction I read, but I don't usually feel physically ill about any of it.  I guess I've just never really thought about the fact that there were actual people in that U-boat, intentionally and knowingly firing a bomb at a passenger ship full of innocent, unsuspecting people.  It's insane.  But what a good book.

SnShne322

I haven't started Dead Wake yet, but I just finished One Second After about a Nuclear EMP war and I had similar reactions.  And it was fiction, even if it's realistic.  If I felt that way about fiction, I'm anxious about Dead Wake!

SusieBW

@SnShne322 - How was One Second After?  I saw on GR when you had just started it and I added it to my TBR because it sounded good.  Aside from the visceral reaction to the subject matter, was it a good book?

It's just been this one part of Dead Wake that is affecting me.  Mostly, the book has been really interesting and great.

SnShne322

It was good!  I think the story itself was kind of simple.  I was waiting a bit for things to happen. Then more I thought about it, it's the simple things that happen that are so terrifying.  And, of course, there are intros and afterwards by military officials talking about how real the book could be.  That's probably what freaked me out the most!

packfan20

I have a thing for stories about shipwrecks.  They completely fascinate me.  I knew the Lusitania sunk but like you, the book made it so real.

SusieBW

@Packfan20 - me too! 

Have you read In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick?  So good.

Also, Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea by Gary Kinder about the SS Central America?  We learned about the lawsuits stemming from that wreck in a maritime law class in law school, and that inspired me to read the book.  It was excellent.

packfan20

I did read In the Heart of the Sea.  I'll check out the other one.

Shadow Divers (sunken u-boat) and Pirate Hunters (pirate ships obviously) both by Robert Kurson were excellent.  Makes me want to go shipwreck diving.

jackiback

I can't believe I haven't read this yet. It's everything I love. 

Jen748

This book was insane with the suspense. I had to put it down a few times because my heart was racing. Which is insane since we all know what happens. I loved it!