What we thought; The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

Evening Book Club

August 2016

The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

Three Halifax adult book clubs, Evening, Afternoon and Mystery Readers joined together to enjoy a pot luck supper and book discussion. The meal was served buffet style featuring a variety of appetizers, salads and side dishes; fried rice, pineapple chow mein, edamame with fresh cilantro, three bean, cole slaw and garden salad, along with a fruit plate and cheese and meat selections. Spinach quiche was a treat along with marinated chicken, baked ham, baked beans and brown bread. The traditional Holmes Library Pink Potluck Punch and assorted flavors of spritzers complemented the menu. After the main course all readers adjourned to the Library’s reading room for a book discussion accompanied by a picturesque decorated cake and other chocolate treats. 

Readers were conflicted about the book. Some said it was a straight forward story about a young woman and her schemes for survival. Others said it was about justifying the moral decisions people make in desperate situations. Readers had their own ideas about the characters and no one convinced others to change their minds about the motivations and actions of Grace before and after the shipwreck. There was some discussion of how the survivors were able to tolerate the terrible suffering in the lifeboat. Some readers did not want to spend much time talking about it and were eager to get to the rescue. They were disappointed that the author did not spend much time on the rescue and questions were raised about survivors in the other lifeboats. Although other characters were prominently featured the discussion focused on Grace and her sister and her husband’s family. It was decided that this was the author’s intention and she succeeded in the direction of her story. 

Readers decided that despite accolades and awards The Lifeboat had too many loose ends and unanswered questions to qualify as a good read for them. They commented that they never connected with any of the characters and although the deaths were sad they didn’t care very much about the people. They needed more details and time to engage with their lives. 

The discussion concluded with the members of the book clubs drawing straws to determine who would pick September’s book selection. After two rounds Library Director Jean was left with the short straw. The group unanimously changed her name to Director Hardie. 

 “Am I to be blamed for this? We do not ask certain ideas to enter our heads and demand that others stay away. I believe that a person is accountable for his actions but not for the contents of his mind, so perhaps I am culpable for occasionally letting those thoughts turn themselves into words.”  Charlotte Rogan, The Lifeboat.

Have you read The Lifeboat?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.