I read this book a few months ago, and I remember it captivating my heart and mind with emotions. The book and events within it are not entirely factual and is not set upon any real-life people on the whole. However, the story rings so historically true and possible when reading it, It feels as if the characters are real.

For an unfortunate girl forced into an orphanage because of family circumstances, the chance to travel to America to meet her brother and start a new life sounds ever so appealing. Especially with the sophisticated and well-off wife of a worldwide-known businessman, it really was sold to her as a chance of a lifetime.

After finding the ladies' routines hard to get into and her accent unbearable, the girl finally boarded the ship and just started to enjoy the journey, behave and look forward to seeing her brother who was making a living to support her back in England.

Then, just like the events of real life, the historical elements are brought to life when the ship they are on tragically starts to sink. The power of the language used by the author brings it all to life and creates an image of it all happening in your mind. There's nothing the reader can do, and with the emotive language and powerful storyline that we readers know is real life it literally brought me to tears.

It wasn't just the boat journey that brought me to tears however. Before and after the trip there are moments of the story, and the way it is expressed that just gets to the heartstrings and suddenly catches you unawares leaving more tears in your eyes.

This book is a great one to read if you just want to curl up and have a good cry. I bought this book as a bit of light relief, a nice short book to read and then I found it emotionally and mentally captivating. Certainly a good read, but not for the very easily emotionally touched. Stunning book, amazing words, captivating story, great author.