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The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan (view source)
Revision as of 19:51, 29 August 2020
, 19:51, 29 August 2020no edit summary
{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=The Lifeboat
|sort= Lifeboat
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=9781844087525
|pages=288
|publisher=Virago
|date=March 2012
|website=http://www.charlotterogan.com
}}
The main point of concern, arguably because of the reason Grace is recalling the events, is the politics on board the lifeboat rather than a detailed and grizzly account of conditions. Of course some is provided, but that's not the main focus albeit that in a lifeboat apparently designed for 40, it is overloaded with 39 passengers and if any are to survive, some will have to be sacrificed for the greater good. If you are looking for an account of how it feels to be on a small boat adrift in the middle of the Atlantic, there's a chance you will be disappointed here. The account is Grace's recollections for use in her trial and so concentrates on the people rather than events.
I've mentioned that Grace is unsettling - she's also not particularly likablelikeable. She claims in her narrative, and the reader will have to judge for themselves how reliable this is but the inference is probably not that much, to be indecisive and an outsider. Even before the events of the story, there is evidence that she craves the attention of others, particularly those in power, without particularly commanding it, but certainly not adverse to scheming her way in life. At times she comes over like Hamlet's more indecisive younger sister. She watches with envy the relationships and gossip of many of the, mostly female, lifeboat passengers. It's this plotting and scheming of the passengers and changing factions and power struggles that underpin the book. Reference is made to Hobbes's ''Leviathan'' and it's a very Hobbesian view of survival and power. What is sacrificed in terms of the novel is action scenes and the depth of characterization. Yet, Grace was so aloof that getting to know people was probably beneath her. Or is this all part of her scheming?
If you come at this looking for authenticity and adventure, you will be less enthralled, but as a story of ethics, morals and psychological power struggles, it's a terrific achievement. There's little surprise that one of the cover's endorsements is from Emma Donoghue, whose [[Room by Emma Donoghue|Room]] contained a similar psychological approach. It's a little frustrating that some of Grace's back story remains unexplained, and you are left with conflicting views of her character. But it's beautifully paced and thought provoking stuff, that manages to include issues such as truth, religion, gender, class, different means of influence and religion.
For more clever fiction on the high seas, this time on a boat that remains afloat, check out [[The Blue Book by A L Kennedy]].
{{amazontext|amazon=1844087522}} {{waterstonestextamazonUStext|waterstonesamazon=85564911844087522}}
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