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theresey01's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pbraue13's review
3.0
Based on a true event, this book is a classic "survival" story told from the perspective of a very resilient woman (a perspective you don't often see in literature like this). With the wonderful writing and the albeit slightly interesting premise based on a true event, I expected this to be an instant 5 stars, but sadly it's not for me. I just don't think that the event this book is based on yielded much in terms of creating an entire novel around it. It just didn't have the full magic for me - also a lot of clubbing seals and diarrhea so be forewarned! 3/5 stars!
hollyprickles's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Death, Infertility, Violence, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
rex_libris's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant is historical fiction based on an actual shipwreck. In 1866 the General Grant was travelling from Melbourne to London when it was destroyed on cliffs of the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands south of New Zealand. Of the 83 people on board just 15 survived, including one woman, Mrs Jewell. This is the story of their 18 months on the island as imagined from her perspective. The realities of surviving in such a harsh, inhospitable environment were not shied away from. What interested me the most was seeing how different personalities responded to the situation and the conflicts that arose between them. The lure of gold, both on the wreck and held by some of the survivors, was strong and responsible for thefts, risky behaviours, suspicions and disagreements. Unique to Mrs Jewell was having to deal with advances, some wanted and others not, from men other than her husband, and her complicated and uncertain feelings towards him. Well researched, believably imagined and solidly written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence and Suicide attempt
livnewman's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am going through a period of intense fascination with stories of survival in inhospitable environments, so this was very-much-for-me. Mrs Jewell is the lone female survivor of the shipwreck of the General Grant in the Auckland Islands, and this is the story of how she and her fourteen male companions struggle to survive. Lots of talk of clubbing seals and of diarrhea, but despite this, I was captivated by this story of human (and female!) resilience and the depictions of the beautiful, harsh landscape (although probably more harsh and less beautiful if you happen to be a castaway in said landscape).
weefeereads's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
book_soulsbee's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
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