To take the celebrated 1628 maiden voyage of a ship that ended in horrific tragedy, and to imagine it so successfully through the eyes of a child is one thing. To link that child to another troubled child who washes up, some 300 years later, on the same island where the ship was wrecked, is genius.
I loved this book. I just loved everything about it.
I was aware of the Batavia and it’s gruesome tale and that is what drew me to this book.
The alternating chapter timelines, for me, kept the story of each child in balance, giving each an equal voice. I do have to say that I preferred Mayken’s story. Gil’s story was more uncomfortable; three hundred years later than Mayken’s and man’s humanity to man hasn’t improved much.
Both stories could, arguably, stand alone. This author has created two stories and cleverly entwined them to make an even better read.
The echoes across the years reverberated, some with a clang, some more subtle – I have marked this in my library for re-reading because I feel that it still has more to offer me.
There are many characters and it is a fine testament to the author that I found myself engaged with each and every one. Nobody was superfluous, they all had a valid part to play.
All in all, a blooming good read.
Thank you to Readers First, Canongate Books Ltd., and Jess Kidd for the ARC in return for my honest review.
Thank you also for introducing me to this author.