The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

I received a galley of this novel from NetGalley for review. This in no way affected my opinions.


The Lifeboat is a small book that packs a big punch.

Grace Winter is on trial for her life, accused of murder. Her attorney hands her a blank notebook and she records all her memories of the three weeks she spent on a lifeboat after the ship her and her husband Henry were taking sank in the summer of 1914.

So, most of the events takes place in this lifeboat. I can imagine people thinking, how can this book be anything but boring. I'll tell you, it wasn't boring. At all. It was a completely captivating portrait of human nature. It was fascinating to see the lifeboat become a little world to these people. People were subconsciously given roles, and cliques were formed.

As the days go by, with no help in sight, people started getting frustrated and desperate and this only leads to disaster. Especially since the boat is overcrowded, and unfortunately, some people have to go.

Whether you agree with Grace's actions or not, you have to admire her. She gave out this passive, patient nature to the outside world, but she was incredibly strong willed. And intelligent, very much so, which you can see come out when she's in prison.

The Lifeboat was a different kind of book. I've never read anything like it before. I was amazed that I wasn't bored or frustrated with how slowly events were coming. The writing kept me entranced – it was amazingly done.