Customer Reviews

Hurricane: A novel of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
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Each of the main characters in Ms. Thompson's novel face an internal conflict that reflects an external struggle as their world is upturned by the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. For those only slightly familiar with Galveston and the 1900 Storm, Hurricane, will be a slightly predictable journey of faith with easily recognizable humanly flawed characters.

Those who know the Galveston of 1900 well, and have detailed knowledge of the events of the Storm, should not bother with the book. Despite warnings that characters are invented and fact easily gives way to fiction, the author only tangentially writes a recognizable Galveston. Stereotyping abounds with regard to Galveston's immigration, and historical errors are common, especially related to the timeline of events for September 8. (One glaring example is Brent being frantically awoken in the Tremont hotel at 4 a.m. to be told that water is up to the diner and it is too high to send a carriage around. Yet six hours later The Strand, four blocks closer to the Bay than the hotel, has remained safe from flooding.) The author also inadvertently allows some characters to speak of late 20th century knowledge about hurricanes, their patterns and traits.

If you enjoy reading the allegory of Storms in our lives, and following characters as they struggle and lean on their faith to see them through, then you might enjoy this novel. Please understand that the Galveston and the events of the 1900 Storm as they are depicted here are largely fictional and not a true representation of the city and the Storm.

I'm a survivor of Hurricane Camille of 1969, that tore through Gulfport, MS in 1969 and the worst storm to hit the US Mainland. So I couldn't wait to read Thompson's Hurricane. Instantly I was drawn into her fictional story of the historical and devastating storm of 1900, that hit the island of Galveston, Texas. Thompson vividly portrays the catastrophic and devastating effects on human life and property in sharp contrast to hope, survival and faith. I read this book this past weekend, while in Mobile, AL with the threat of tropical storm Arlene in the background, so it was perfect reading material.

Drama and well developed characters tell the unfolding story of death and triumph as the storm moves into the gulf with such impact, that lives on the island are changed forever. I could almost taste the salt water, feel the roaring wind and slashing rain, so accurately described by Thompson, a native Texan. Though 6,000 people lost their lives in this terrible hurricane, many found strength and compassion to help their fellow islanders, and selfishly give of themselves, even in their own despair. This well crafted, minute by minute story, will pull at your heartstrings and make you say a prayer for every storm that enters your life. I highly reccommend it.

Sometimes our humble beginnings-the ones we can't wait to get away from-are the ones we're inevitably drawn back to. So is the case for successful newspaperman Brent Murphy when he becomes disenchanted with the fast pace of New York City and returns to his hometown Island of Galveston. His return coincides with an event of catastrophic proportions, the 1900 Galveston hurricane.

Mrs. Thompson, a native Texan, has crafted an engrossing tale of tragedy, sadness, courage, and most importantly, hope. Experience one of this country's most talked about storms through the eyes of these well-developed characters. You will cheer for their bravery and cry over their loss. A wonderful tribute to the victims of the 1900 Galveston hurricane. A great read. Highly recommend.

Normally when you hear a Texan is telling a windy tale it means something entirely different. Janice uses a work of fiction to tell the very real story of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane that has been labeled "The Great Storm." You can't help but identify with these characters and the story will keep you enthralled. I first read this book when it came out, but as the hurricane season is here again, found myself picking it back up. If the people of New Orleans had read this book before Katrina came roaring ashore there wouldn't have been nearly as many people caught up in it.

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Batten down the hatches! Hurricane, by Janice A. Thompson, is a riveting account of disaster and human bravery, loss and gain, death and redemption. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the historic Galveston disaster, Hurricane is the story of lives lost...and at least one that was found.

Brent Murphy, a prodigal newspaperman, returns home to Galveston Island after his attempt at New York greatness. Tired, world-weary, and knowing he will face the wrath of his father upon his return, he continues to postpone his visit home. Although he is not looking forward to the confrontation with his father, little does he know that the storm of his father's displeasure would be nothing compared to the approaching fury of one of nature's most powerful and destructive forces, the hurricane. Will Brent Murphy be able to first survive the storm and then find liberation from the events of his past?

Hurricane, by Janice A. Thompson, provides a fascinating, historically accurate account of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, through the lives of her fully dimensional characters. The depth of the story attests to thorough and effective research, while the gripping descriptions of the storm itself will make you want to check the weather report for your local area! Two thumbs up!

Craig Hart - CraigHart.net/ChristianLit Magazine

Galveston Island, September, 1900. Brent Murphy is coming home. After years away pursuing a career in journalism, Brent has a need to face his demons at home. Namely, his father, a stern man Brent never seemed able to please.

Sister Henrietta Mullins, novice at St. Mary's Orphan Asylum, discovers the difference between childhood dreams and reality. As the days pass, her commitment to the Sisters of Charity, once embraced willingly, becomes harder to bear. Not to mention the Texas heat.

Everett Maxwell, editor of the Courier, Galveston's local newspaper. Discouraged there was nothing happening, nothing newsworthy to write about, Everett will now do just about anything for a story.

Emma Sanders, newly `capped' nurse, eagerly faces her first day on the job at the local hospital. She quickly becomes overwhelmed at the enormity of what each day brings.

To the east, across the Gulf of Mexico, a deadly storm was brewing that would change these lives and Galveston forever.

HURRICANE is a day-by-day count-down to the cataclysmic storm that all but wiped Galveston off the map. In the characters Janice Thompson introduces to us we see attitudes change, goals shift, and watch as selflessness takes hold and the determination to save just one life overcomes fear.

Through despair, devastation and death, Ms. Thompson gives hope. Determined, dogged faith prevails over doubt and discouragement. And God's love and mercy shines through.

A tremendous read. Janice Thompson, a native Texan, has done her research and put together a compelling fictional account of the most catastrophic natural event of the twentieth century in which 6000 lives were lost. I highly recommend this one.

I read this while staying on South Padre Island in Texas. Reading this novel while on an island made the story more emotional and engaging. The emotion, struggle, loss, and survival was well told. Shortly after I read this novel, South Padre was hit by Hurricane Dolly. Seeing the impact on South Padre (while nothing like Galveston 1900) made the story more impactful. Well done Janice A. Thompson. Well done.

This was book is a great summer read. Janice Thompson has done an artful job of weaving truth and fiction into an exciting and beatiful story.The characters tug at your heart and the images of the storm are emotionally powerful. Its fast pace makes it impossible to put the book down until your're finished. I highly recommend this book to any fiction lover and can't wait to see what Janice Thompson will come out with next.

The timing of Janice Thompson's book, Hurricane, couldn't have been better. I read Hurricane after our third hurricane in Florida this summer. It was interesting to read the author's vivid words and compare them to the pictures being flashed on television. Janice really did a great job of describing what the hurricane of 1900 must have been like. This is a work of fiction based on facts and Janice did a superb job of research and creating characters to put into that world. It's a fast, interesting read with God woven into the fabric of the story.

Thompson did a masterful job of weaving fact into fiction as she brought to life the tragedy of the Galvestone Hurricane of 1900. I read most of the book in one evening, captured by the unfolding drama. I ached as her characters lived in shallow oblivion to the coming storm, focused on their surface lives, forcing down and ignoring the deep things inside that cried out for their attention. As the hurricane hit I lived their horror with them, watched their acts of selfless bravery, and mourned their loss. Finally, through many poignant moments, I rose with them as they became the deeper, more beautiful people God meant them to be. I cheered as they set aside petty attitudes and learned to live, change, and care for each other.