book review: A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice

A five-star book review of A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly!

I loved this book. I was captivated from the start. Every moment of preparing this book review of A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice was enjoyable.

A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice book cover blurb:

Shortly after midnight on April 15, 1912, the captain of the Carpathia, Arthur Rostron, is awakened by a distress signal from the RMS Titanic, which has struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage. Though information is scarce, Rostron leaps into action, determined to answer the call for help. But the Carpathia is more than four hours away, and there are more questions than answers: Will his ship hold together if pushed to never-before-tested speeds? What if he also strikes an iceberg? And with the freezing temperatures, will there be any survivors by the time the Carpathia arrives?

Kate Connolly is excited to join her sister in America and proud to be traveling on the grand Titanic. As a third-class passenger, she is among the last to receive instruction and help after Titanic hits an iceberg. Despite the chaos of abandoning ship, Kate is able to reach the upper decks and manages to board a lifeboat, though after seeing the Titanic sink into the abyss and hearing the cries from the hundreds of people still in the water, she wonders if any rescue is even possible.

Told in alternating chapters from both Captain Rostron on the Carpathia and Kate Connolly on the Titanic, this historical novel is a compelling, heart-pounding account of two eyewitnesses to an epic disaster. Rostron’s heroic and compassionate leadership, his methodical preparations for rescue, and his grit and determination to act honorably and selflessly to save lives and care for the survivors, sets the course for this awe-inspiring story.

The Titanic was built with luxury in mind. It was proclaimed “unsinkable.”

The Titanic was huge, with eight decks accessible to passengers. It could accommodate over 3000 people, including crew members. Passengers were distributed among first, second, and third classes. Besides lounging on deck, guests could enjoy dining halls, a library, smoking rooms, a squash court, Turkish baths, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and more. Even the third-class cabins were nicer than what was found in other ships. Everything was in the height of fashion, with the overall atmosphere giving the impression of an elite hotel.

Author Rebecca Connolly captures the excitement of its maiden voyage:

What mattered was the spirit of merriment and the excitement that pervaded the room. Cultures and languages mixed and blended into an entirely new concoction. Drink and dance would do that to a room, and nobody seemed to mind the closeness of the crowd. Most people were going to America to start a new life, and there was something thrilling about sharing that promise, that future, and those wishes.

The story alternates between the Titanic and the Carpathia.

Captain Arthur Rostron of the Carpathia was a man of faith. The book conveys the deep sense of urgency he feels as he races to the rescue.

Assured for the moment that all that could be done had been done, Arthur returned to the bridge, sparing a nod for the helmsman, and focused his attention on the dark sea before him.

The water reflected the brilliance of the stars in the sky with almost eerie clarity. The waves were calmer than he had seen on many occasions, though they would soon be cut through as the ship sped toward the disaster. The sky was perfectly clear, and there was no moon, lending all possible brightness to the stars alone. The air was cold and crisp, the water would be more so, and such a calm, silent night could mean death for so many. 

Four hours, he’d said. In less than four hours, they would be to the Titanic. 

He prayed she could remain afloat that long.

This scene describes Kate’s experience in a lifeboat:

Kate looked over at the ship once more in despair. The vessel was somehow still majestic despite her descent, the scattered lifeboats, and the cries and screams of passengers all around her. Somehow still a wonder. Somehow still marvelous. 

But not, as it happened, unsinkable.

---

Strong themes:

Tragedy as an equalizer

A scene onboard the Carpathia after the survivors were rescued:

The passengers on Titanic likely would not have had opportunity or reason to cross paths on that ship, the disparity in classes being so very distinct, but here, after what they had suffered, the class barriers had vanished, and they were simply aching souls needing comfort. There was something innately noble and humbling in that.

The most important things

It’s easy to take things for granted or to focus on what we do not have. Somehow our moments of greatest despair remind us of what truly matters. The book is filled with instances of passengers trying their best to help each other. Their hearts cry out for closeness, warmth, friendship, and family. The book reinforces the importance of letting loved ones know how special they are and that they are treasured. Tragedy can remind us of this.

The insatiability and selfishness of the press

From the moment of the first distress call, dealing with the press was a prominent concern. Captain Rostron gave careful instruction to his wireless telegraph operator about communicating the situation to the proper authorities. They prioritized getting out the list of survivors so that families could be notified; they didn’t want sensationalized details broadcasted. There was a newspaperman onboard who was asking questions that bothered the captain–Arthur didn’t want the focus to be on profiting from the tragedy. Even as they pulled into the harbor in New York City, they had to think carefully about how to get passengers off the vessel so they could receive medical care as needed and reunite with friends and family without being bombarded by obtrusive questions and cameras.

Sustaining faith

It was clear throughout the book how the people counted on their faith to carry them, both those struggling for survival and those rushing to the rescue. Once everyone was on the Carpathia, they held a worship service and also a funeral for four men who hadn’t made it. They included both Protestant and Catholic traditions to honor the faiths of the deceased men. It is worth remembering that many passengers were Irish, and tensions were high between Protestants and Catholics. And yet they all came together to show respect for the lost.

The human need to assign blame

During the inquiry following their arrival in New York, Captain Rostron lamented the intense questioning geared for determining fault. Their gathering of facts didn’t seem to him to be about gaining understanding to learn from what happened and enact measures to prevent it from reoccurring.

In contrast, Captain Rostron was careful to express his pride in his crew afterwards. He explained how much he appreciated them and how important it was that they were honorable and dedicated. He made a point of sharing these affirmations with his crew, and it must have made a lasting impact. How special it is to notice the people around us, to encourage them, to applaud their efforts, and to show them that they matter.

---

Rebecca Connolly quotes Arthur Rostron’s autobiography Home from the Sea:

Titanic! Of all the remarkable incidents connected with the short life of that ship of destiny not the least was her name. If you look in your dictionary, you will find: Titans – A race of people vainly striving to overcome the forces of nature. Could anything be more unfortunate than such a name, anything more significant?

Be sure to read the afterword and author’s note.

There is a brief overview of what happened later to the main characters. Photos of Captain Rostron and Kate Connolly are included.

A visit to the Titanic Museum in Belfast inspired Rebecca Connolly to write this book. She explains:

My naivete in thinking I knew all about the ship and its tragedy, as so many others do, was quickly snuffed out, replaced instead by awe, by solemnity, and by inspiration.

I learned of a story of providence, of sacrifice, and of heroism that deserves to have its place restored in the minds of humankind.

Final thoughts on my book review of A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice:

As stated above, this book captivated me from the start. I knew very little about the Titanic, and it was fascinating to learn its story. Rebecca Connolly wove humanity through the story; she really brought it to life. If you want to learn more about the Titanic, check out Encyclopedia Titanica.

Definitely recommend!

Other posts you might like:

• featured author: Rebecca Connolly
• book review: Hidden Yellow Stars (WWII historical fiction also by Rebecca Connolly)
• book review: The Women (historical fiction by Kristin Hannah based on the war in Vietnam)
• home state themed gift ideas
• monthly deep cleaning schedule

Fondly,

Crysti