The Night Ship is based on the true story of The Batavia, a Dutch East India Company ship, whose maiden voyage doesn’t go to plan. Entwining the stories of Mayken, a young girl who lives in 1628 and Gil, a young boy whose story takes place in 1989, The Night Ship is a good mix of fact and fiction.
Mayken finds herself aboard The Batavia as she has been sent to live with her father, she is accompanied by her nursemaid and friend Imke. Her story tells of her adventures onboard until the subsequent sinking and repercussions for all the passengers and sailors that follow. Whereas Gil, trying to deal with his own issues, finds himself sent to a fishing island to live with his Grandad after his mother’s death - where he is overwhelmed with loneliness and struggles with all the changes he has to face.
The novel alternates between Mayken’s and Gil’s perspectives on each chapter, making it engaging and easy to read, as each story is simultaneously told. There are multiple times throughout the novel where sections of text are repeated for both of the children, these similarities create a greater link between the children in their separate timelines. The style of writing Jess Kidd uses is quite different to what I’m used to, and at times paced slowly, however I think it fits the book well and the historical genre. There are aspects of superstition, cruelty and all the wickedness surrounding mankind, and when the worst is brought out in people it begs the question of who the real monsters in life are?
This type of book would not be my typical read; however, it was interesting and I believe worth reading.
Mayken finds herself aboard The Batavia as she has been sent to live with her father, she is accompanied by her nursemaid and friend Imke. Her story tells of her adventures onboard until the subsequent sinking and repercussions for all the passengers and sailors that follow. Whereas Gil, trying to deal with his own issues, finds himself sent to a fishing island to live with his Grandad after his mother’s death - where he is overwhelmed with loneliness and struggles with all the changes he has to face.
The novel alternates between Mayken’s and Gil’s perspectives on each chapter, making it engaging and easy to read, as each story is simultaneously told. There are multiple times throughout the novel where sections of text are repeated for both of the children, these similarities create a greater link between the children in their separate timelines. The style of writing Jess Kidd uses is quite different to what I’m used to, and at times paced slowly, however I think it fits the book well and the historical genre. There are aspects of superstition, cruelty and all the wickedness surrounding mankind, and when the worst is brought out in people it begs the question of who the real monsters in life are?
This type of book would not be my typical read; however, it was interesting and I believe worth reading.