Distant Waves: A Novel of the Titanic is a part historical fiction part sci-fi/fantasy novel written by Suzanne Weyn. The story is set in the 19th century and centers around five sisters, Jane, Mimi, Amelie, Emma, and Blythe, and their mother, Maude, who is a medium. After the father/husband dies Maude is forced to find a way to support herself and her five daughters. She discovers that she can communicate with the dead. Though out the book Jane and her sisters travel to different parts of the world and meet many people. One person that is vital to the plot of the story is a scientist named Nikola Tesla, who is based on an real-life scientist. Through a series of events the sisters and Nikola end up on the Titanic and one of Nikola's inventions is said to be the cause of the iceberg hitting the ship. Nikola then claims he can save the sisters through a time machine. Does Nikola save the sisters? Does the time machine work?
I am personally a huge fantasy/sci-fi fan and enjoyed this book. Even though the book had some historical events tied into the book I think that it was more fantasy/sci-fi based. I was a little thrown of by the title as well. The book doesn't mention the Titanic until the book is over half done, I expected the setting to be the Titanic.
For my classroom I am not sure that I would use this book. While I personally liked the book and I would allow my children to read it once they were age appropriate I don't think all parents would approve of the subject matter. I think that if I taught in high school I would feel comfortable recommending this book to students I don't think I would feel quite the same way if I taught middle school. I definitely don't think I would be able to use it in my classroom curriculum. This book is most suited for high school students.
I love the front cover of this book.
ReplyDeleteI was curious about what related to the content made you think that it would not be a good fit for middle school. Was it the idea of communicating with the dead or were there other aspects that made you hesitate to recommend it for younger grades?
It is because of that content. I know in this area there are a lot of different beliefs and I know that some parents do not approve of this type of material so I would be hesitant to use it in the younger grades (7th and below). I would not want parents to be angry that I had allowed their child to read this book.
DeleteThis book sounds really interesting. I think it is one that I would have in my classroom library for upper grades. It sounds like there is an interesting play on the reality of the Titanic which is a story that fascinates me.
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