During World War II, thousands of British children were evacuated. While some only went as far as the countryside, others traveled on boats to far away places such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. But despite what parents were told, the trip was more dangerous than anyone could have realized.
Overview
In 1940, the British government launches a program to carry British children on ships to Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Former teacher Alice King volunteers to help escort the children across the ocean after witnessing a plane crash not far from her home in Kent: The result of a Nazi attack.
Recently widowed, Lily Nichols hates the nightly aid raids, especially for her children. Following promises that her children will be safer in another country, she signs them up to become “seavacuees”.
But the unthinkable happens: the ship carrying Alice and Lily’s children is struck by a torpedo from German U-Boat.
Forced to survive in a small lifeboat in the middle of the Atlantic, Alice, a handful of children, and few crew members must use their will and hope to stay alive.
My Thoughts on The Last Lifeboat
I was excited for this book because it sounded so different from the typical World War II novel. Having read Gaynor’s novel When We Were Young and Brave, I had high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t love it.
The first part of the story goes through Alice deciding to become an escort for the children going overseas and Lily deciding to send her children across the ocean. This build-up takes several chapters and feels a little slow. I would have liked for the book to start a little later in the story, maybe around the time they board the ship.
Once the children and Alice are aboard the ship, the story gets interesting and the pace quickens. However, the time on the ship is cut short by the sinking and the lifeboats being deployed.
Of course, the last lifeboat is the one that that Alice is in, and she ends up there with several children (including Lily’s son), as well a cast of adult men who are honestly some of my favorite characters in the book.
From this point on, we go between Alice’s perspective in the boat and Lily’s in England. Through the hardships that both women face, they have a resolve that makes their characters relatable.
I loved how precise Gaynor’s descriptions are throughout the book. They really made the story more heartbreaking and beautiful.
Final Thoughts and Rating
I loved the premise and the story behind The Last Lifeboat, but the pacing felt all over the place, which I didn’t love.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Would I Recommend This Book: Maybe
I agree that the premise of this book sounds great. A fresh take on a historical fiction set in WWII. I’m adding this one to my maybe list through my library.
It’s so disappointing when you think a book is going to capture your full attention, and then it doesn’t happen. I’m not a fan of a book that takes me all over the place either or drags out the storyline. Thank you for providing an honest review. It did hold my attention until you stated how long the first couple of chapters were.