The Voyage - by V S Alexander (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In a riveting historical novel about love, grief, the devotion of dogs, V.S. Alexander brings intriguing new perspective to a story that still resonates and fascinates today, as a young couple and their Newfoundland dog set sail on the Titanic's ill-fated maiden voyage . . .

Finn, the loyal, steadfast Newfoundland dog owned by Sir Gordon Shelton, is quite at ease as he trots aboard the ocean liner at Southampton. The smell of the sea is welcome to him, for like all of his breed, Finn loves to swim.

His master, however, feels quite differently. Gordon has a deathly fear of water, no matter how much his wife, Ruth, tries to reassure him. But first-class passage on the Titanic, paid for by the Chairman of the White Star Line, is not an offer Gordon can turn down. Once the ship reaches New York, American-born Ruth will see her family for the first time since their wedding.

At least the Sheltons have no concerns about Finn's well-being. There are a dozen dogs on board, all belonging to first-class passengers, and they receive regular walks and fresh food. Finn finds a traveling companion in Kitty, a pretty Airedale terrier who belongs to the Titanic's most illustrious guests, John Jacob Astor IV and his young wife, Madeleine. Amid new friends and luxurious surroundings, far from the cares of daily life in England, Gordon begins to feel at ease and he and Ruth grow even closer, planning their future together.

Then tragedy strikes, unthinkable and terrifying. As the Titanic sinks into the icy depths on that fateful night, Finn's only instinct is to protect those he loves. And at the end of this voyage, and throughout the extraordinary journey that follows it, that fierce loyalty will prove itself a beacon of hope, time and time again . . .

Review Quotes

Outstanding praise for the novels of V.S. Alexander:

"The novel is thoroughly researched, drawing readers fully into the saga with descriptive, often graphic details and strong characterizations. For fans of World War I historical fiction." --Library Journal on The Sculptress

"Alexander immerses readers in the brutality and small mercies of warfare, turning Emma's artistic endeavors into a noble pursuit for injured soldiers. Fans of Alena Dillon, Lucinda Riley, and Alexander's previous work will appreciate the historical accuracy saturating every page of this moving, compassionate novel." --Booklist on The Sculptress

"Alexander brings his signature commitment to historical accuracy to The Traitor, immersing readers in the intrigue of the resistance. Fans of Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See (2014) and Alex Rosenberg's The Girl from Krakow (2015) will fall under the spell of this powerfully moving novel." --Booklist on The Traitor

"In this powerful historical saga, Alexander explores how Ireland's Great Potato Famine of 1845 changes lives forever, and how love can blossom against even the greatest of odds. . . . Alexander's research lends unquestionable weight to the story. . . . Accompanied by an expertly rendered plot, bold and empathetic characters, and prose the jumps off the page, this tale will particularly satisfy fans of historicals and those looking for stories about the redeeming grace of faith and hard work." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on The Irishman's Daughter

"Alexander immerses readers in 1840s Ireland with characteristic expertise, blending fact with fiction in this compelling and engrossing novel." --Booklist on The Irishman's Daughter

"An absorbing, well-researched story that brings to life an extraordinary period in history, told from within the inner circle of one of the twentieth-century's most notorious characters." --Gill Paul, USA Today bestselling author of The Secret Wife on The Taster

"A totally gripping and credible imagining of how a young German woman was affected by the building chaos and cruelty during the late stages of Hitler's rule. It gains its power through the very special perspective of its main character, who is also the narrator . . . an impressive and engaging novel that humanizes historical events and provides the rich texture of a life meeting momentous challenges in momentous times." --Florida Weekly on The Taster

"Alexander's well-researched fictional account of Hitler's final days is made intimate by his brilliant choice of a food taster as the first-person narrator. . . . A lesser storyteller might have allowed such a conflicted narrator to weep and wail, but Alexander's Magda looks into the maw of the Reich and reports atrocities without flinching, depicting her own suffering and heroism without hyperbole. Magda allows the reader to examine her own heinous acts, asking only that "you will not judge me as harshly as I have judged myself." Highly recommended." --Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice, on The Taster

About the Author

V.S. Alexander is an acclaimed historical fiction author whose novels include The Taster, The Irishman's Daughter, The Magdalen Girls and The War Girls. An ardent student of history with a strong interest in music and the visual arts, some of his writing influences include Shirley Jackson, Oscar Wilde, Daphne du Maurier, or any work by the exquisite Brontë sisters. V.S. Alexander lives in Maine and can be found online at VSAlexander.com.