New Book Alert: The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey; Fascinating But Misleading Historical Fiction About Two Sisters On Divergent Paths

 

New Book Alert: The Titanic Sisters by Patricia Falvey; Fascinating But Misleading Historical Fiction About Two Sisters On Divergent Paths 

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews 

Spoilers: Somebody should remind either Patricia Falvey or the people at Kensington Books that it's not 1997 and just because something has the Titanic in it doesn't mean that it's the most important feature in that work. That if a book only has the ill fated voyage for the first third, all of 60 pages, then it's not necessary to call the book, The Titanic Sisters. The Sisters are the most important parts of the book, not the Titanic and the title should reflect that. Falvey has written other historical fiction with simple titles like The Yellow House, The Linen Queen, and The Girls of Ennismore. 

The Titanic Sisters is about Irish sisters, Delia and Nora Sweeney as they emigrate to America and find love, independence, self actualization, and a way out of the roles that had been programmed into them. Okay, The Sweeney Sisters might call to mind the SNL sketch starring Nora Dunn and Jan Hooks, but the Irish Sisters, The Donegal Sisters (where they originated), or The Irish Roses of Texas (where they end up) would make good alternate titles.

Well misleading title aside, it's actually a very good book and the protagonists are a great attraction of opposites and their individual journeys. When the book begins, Nora and Delia have a long running case of sibling rivalry. While most parents should never choose a favorite child, no one apparently told Ma and Da Sweeney that. Mrs. Sweeney belittles and verbally abuses the bookish Delia and favors the beautiful Nora who she believes will fulfill her dream of marrying in wealth and living in luxury. Mr. Sweeney ignores Nora and confides in his older, more active daughter who assists him on the farm. The Sweeney parents' preference for one daughter over another spills into the sister's interactions with each other and shapes them into the women who they became. Nora is a vain social climber who wants a way into wealth and high society while Delia is a surly rebel who just yearns for a way out.

A way out arrives in the form of an invitation for Nora to become a governess in the home of rich American widower, Aidan O'Hanlon. Mr. Sweeney pulls some strings and manages to get Delia a housekeeping job in New York provided that she and Nora travel together. Both sisters are hopeful about their future prospects but not looking forward to traveling together. Nora is particularly beligerant insisting that "it's (her) turn." Reluctantly, the duo travel together on a certain White Star ocean liner on its maiden voyage. 

The Titanic of course sinks and the sisters are separated. A misunderstanding causes Delia to be mistaken for Nora and she takes the governess job at the O'Hanlon's. Meanwhile Nora ends up with amnesia and recuperates in the home of Felicity Barrett Shaw, a wealthy suffragist.

The different paths that the two sisters go on are some of the most interesting parts in the book and reflect the characters of who they were and who they grow to become. Delia bonds with Lily O'Hanlon who has been mute since the death of her mother. One of the most heartfelt moments is when after Aiden finds out that Delia isn't the promised Nora, Lily speaks defending the kind woman with whom she has become close.

Aiden and Delia go through the typical poor governess and rich employer romance that has been seen since Jane Eyre had eyes for Edward Rochester. It's predictable but they share some sweet moments especially concerning their love for Lily.

Delia's story picks up when she, Aiden, and Lily move to Texas. Delia adapts well to the wide open spaces and western lifestyle, no doubt putting her farming experience to good use. She also befriends several eccentric characters like Hans and Mayflower Humboldt, an easygoing German immigrant and his tough talking American wife. Some of the most memorable parts of Delia's story are when she visits Shotgun City, an area outside of Dallas that lives up to its name.

 In Texas, Delia finds a society free from the constraints that she has lived with previously. She feels acceptance in a world where everyone is able to move forward in life. She shares her love of Texas with her author, Falvey, who also emigrated from Ireland and moved to the Lone Star State. In the desert dry wide state of Texas, Delia finds the acceptance that she has longed for.

As interesting as Delia's story is, Nora's is even more so. There is some romance involved with a rich man and again with a fellow emigre, but what stands out the most is Nora's relationship with Mrs. Shaw. 

 Mrs. Shaw lets Nora recuperate in her home and the young woman develops a friendship with her. She is baffled by the older woman's characteristics like driving her car fast but she becomes interested in her commitment to causes like women's suffrage and labor unions. Through Mrs. Shaw's influence, Nora sees a world beyond her small corner of it. She becomes just as dedicated as her friend to help others. She also compares Mrs. Shaw to her vain and superficial mother and realized that the American woman is more understanding and supportive than her mother ever was. Mrs. Sweeney saw her daughter as an extension of herself, one who can fulfill her deferred ambitions. Instead Mrs. Shaw sees Nora as an extension of Nora, one who has plenty of potential but hasn't had the opportunity to show it. Nora finally finds that opportunity thanks to her older friend and mentor.

Nora's character changes particularly when she is hired by an unscrupulous businessman to spy on other characters for his benefit. While Nora takes the job specifically to get some long delayed questions answered, she sees her new employer as a avaricious and vengeful crook. She realizes that the old Nora wouldn't have cared as long as he was rich. She now has more scruples and self respect than to sell herself for money.

The Titanic Sisters gives us two brilliant protagonists who grow into better, more independent women. It's about a lot more than a sinking ship.