Maiden Voyage

by Cynthia Bass

In 1912 the Titanic was the largest, fastest, and most lavish man-made object on earth--the elegant and invincible consummation of the Industrial Age. An international flurry of wonder and gaiety launched its ill-fated voyage from London to New York. For one boy, however, it would be a voyage of crisis and discovery.
Torn between the worlds of his estranged parents--the activism of his suffragist mother and the social frenzy of his bohemian father--Sumner aspires to both, longing desperately for manhood, poetry and heroism. On his own for the Titanic's fateful crossing, the boy finds himself drawn to two very different passengers: the fiery young feminist Ivy Earnshaw and handsome, sophisticated Pierce Andrews, aviator and cynic. In the harrowing last moments of the giant, doomed ship, the three young people find themselves joined in a devastating and intimate dance with death no reader will forget.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Coming Of Age

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 1996

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it quickly and quite enjoyed it! We have a coming of age story from Sumner, a 12 year old boy in 1912. His mother a leading suffragist in Boston and father living in London among the avant-garde/ writer’s scene. Oh! The grand and much anticipated Titanic is about to set out in its maiden voyage as well!

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coming-of-age story is about a 12-year-old boy named Sumner, named after Senator Charles Sumner, the great abolitionist. Sumner’s parents are separated: his mother, a suffragette, lives in the States, and his father resides in England. He visits his father every couple of years. Sumner writes poetry, and entering a contest, writes a poem comparing the lack of rights, specifically voting rights, for women to slavery. Though he loses the contest, his mother is so delighted by his efforts that she rewards him with a ticket to return to the States on the Titanic. It is during this visit to his father and the voyage home that Sumner learns many things. He discovers some truths about his father. Traveling alone on the ship, he learns to make friends of strangers. He becomes enchanted by an older woman. He learns to smoke. He is torn between saving his life by entering a lifeboat or staying with the men on the ship. He speaks up to save another. One interesting comment is made by his friend: “If you can’t make a big difference one day, you’re stuck making little ones every day.” Set against the sinking of the Titanic, this story of how one young boy reaches maturity almost overnight is quite an interesting tale.

[Amelia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely horrifying that I found this in a middle/high-school library at 14. I loved the story of the Titanic, but I had no idea what I was getting into. I had to put it down after some unnecessary and detailed sexual situations. Very disturbing and upsetting. Glad I put it down.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book about the Titanic. It had a unique perspective.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a slow burn for me. I just couldn't see the excitment.

[Cathy Houston · Rating 2 out of 5]

the beginning was good the end was good but the middle not do good. A boy tries to become a man on the Titanic and finds it very hard

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one for the Titanic buffs.

[Lu]

Titanic sinking from eyes of 12 yr boy