Customer Reviews

Titanic 2012

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I agree with Mr. Weske..."When is the movie coming out?" This book was recommended to me by a good friend, and I am eternally grateful! Like Mr. Walker, I was fascinated by James Cameron's wonderful movie production, and this book poses the question "What if?" to the reader. I find few books difficult to put down, but "Titanic 2012" was nearly impossible for me to stop reading! I can't wait to obtain my own copy so I can read it again and again! I have recommended this book to several of my friends, and I hope they listen to me! I can't wait to read another book from such a talented author!

This is another fast book cashing in on the response to Cameron's Titanic, although who can blame the author, particularly as he's so honest about his homage... A good 'holiday read', if you don't mind a silly plot, shallow characterisation and a story that plays fast and loose with history. If so, you'll probably think this book ok for a momentary diversion. And that's about it. If you want to read excellent Titanic fiction, try Beryl Bainbridge's 'Every Man For Himself'. For an introduction to the real Titanic, read Walter Lord's seminal work 'A Night To Remember'.

For starters I'm a huge fan of Titanic, not really the film, but the ship itself. I'm moved by the stories of courage and cowerdice that get told over and over again. Once I read a book where Titanic was described as an end of an era, and a new beginning for the entire world. I tend to agree with this statement. The world was forever changed by one shipwreak. You don't hear people speak about the Andrea Doria, do you? I feel that this book had a lot of that element in it. The romantic allure that the Titanic actually had and still has.

My biggest problem with the book at all was the constant referencing to the movie. It was a great film, but I didn't feel that it needed to be mentioned as much as it did. I felt like the author thought we were going to forget about it, which would never happen.

As was said before, the portraits in the state rooms was a perfect, yet vaugely chilling touch. Having everything on the Titanic down to every last detail was also wonderful. I loved that fact that the ship still had a marconi room. Just attention to detail in this book was wonderful and there were points where I actually felt like I was there (or wished that I was). I have to say, the 'what if' made me get to thinking, what if they do re-make the Titanic?

Overall I was very pleased with this book and I will be recommending it to my friends.

The book moves along at a good clip, but it isn't long till you know what is going to happen. If you are offended by language then you will be offended. The language (four letter words) where not necessary to convey the feeling of the characters. Overall, it was a good read. Just don't look for the unexpected.

Bill Walker has outdone himself. The story of Trevor and Mandy is great. The story is about second chances, and the replica Titanic. The story was great, and I loved it. It's a story that will make you think and touch your heart at the same time. I don't care what other people think about the story and the people on board. The story was well done, and the author knew what he was writing about. That's all I have to say.

I probably wouldn't have picked up this book as the movie bored me (the first time I saw it) and although I am a history buff and this was an intriguing incident in our past, I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy reading about it. A friend recommended it and I have read Bill's short stories so I thought what the hell. I was more than pleasantly surprised. It is a wonderfully written story. Bill's attention to detail is superb, the story line is fascinating. I read this one all in one sitting. I couldn't put it down as I feared I would lose the flow of this beautifully done story. Pick this one up lest you miss one of the best books to come out in quite some time!

Titanic 2012 has got EVERYTHING going for it. I think this book really hits home on more than one level. As a story, it keeps the reader turning the pages, and Mr. Walker has a keen sense on how to sustain suspense. The characters seem like real people, and aside from the main characters, Trevor and Maddy, I really liked Harlan Astor. His joie de vivre and rakish qualities were especially appealing. We all love that Great Lady, but I think Mr. Walker's book is something to cherish, a story from which we can all take something of value.

When is the movie coming out? Not such an outlandish question. Today all you can get are 'remakes' or 'blood 'n guts'. I think that "TITANIC 2012" is one of the most original and exciting books I have read in a long time. The charactors come alive and you can feel the throb of the powerful engines of The Great Ship, page after page. The reader is always wondering 'How is it going to end?' I think Mr Walker has captured the romance and the passion of a bygone age and transported it into the near future where speed is not the essence, but elegance and good living. Also, how inovative of Mr Walker to include Kate Winslet in the narrative . A truly wonderful read... So, Hollywood. Go and get your 'finger out' and do something ORIGINAL for a change.

There are caveats before I give my official review. Back in February I read, reviewed and hosted a "Guest Author" spotlight at the request of Pump Up Your Book, for A Note from an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker. I thought the book was exceptional, giving it a rating of 5/5. You can read my review here. Bill had contacted me, after I posted my review, and asked if I would mind posting the review on some sites, which I agreed to do. Since that time, we have touched base every now and then as to how things were going with his book. He told me that he was working on a manuscript (revising, editing, making changes) of a book that he had written and with limited printing in 1998. I then received an email from him, which amazed me, surprised me and, quite honestly, felt honored to receive this request. Could he entrust me with this manuscript and give my honest opinion as a reader, consumer and reviewer?

I have not read the original Titanic 2012, that was printed years ago so I can not compare it to the revised manuscript that I recently finished reading. However, and ironically knowing that I had the manuscript in my EReader waiting for me to read, I saw that another blogger had found a copy of the original and had read the book. Sheila, from One Person's Journey Through A World Of Books, reviewed this book on her blog. I also need to say that the revised manuscript edition, is just that, a manuscript. Bill has informed me that it is now in his agent's hand, so the revised edition, that I will be reviewing, has not yet been published nor is it available as of this date. However. I did tell him that since this blog is about books and my honest thoughts and reviews of books I read, that I would treat his manuscript in the same manner I do for all books I read. I also told him that I pride myself on giving a credible and honest review of every book I read, and that the same criteria would be utilized for his manuscript. He agreed. He also promised me that when the book does become available, he would notify me to let my followers, readers and visitors know so that I can give an update. And now my thoughts and opinion of said manuscript:

Titanic 2012 by Bill Walker (revised manuscript)
Final Manuscript Draft
At the request of the author, who entrusted me with his manuscript, a PDF was sent via email to be downloaded to my EReader, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (blurb borrowed from GoodReads for original print): When James Cameron's vision of a movie, Titanic, made it to the screen, who would've known just how popular it would become? Now there's a new mystery thriller that puts the luxury liner of doom in the near future with suspenseful results. It's the year 2012, and best selling mystery novelist Trevor Hughes has just about completed his next big book when old friend Harlan Astor announces that he's spent hundreds of millions of dollars to stage one of the biggest publicity shows in history: he's built a new Titanic, an exact replica of the 1912 version. This tweaks Trevor's writerly instincts, and in short order, he breaks up with his girlfriend and heads out for Poland to board the maiden voyage of this colossal remake. Even Kate Winslet is on hand to christen the ship, and the media are eating it up. But why did Astor do this, and why did he handpick the people who are boarding this remarkable ship? First-time novelist Bill Walker rings all the bells and blows all the whistles as he sets sail with his maiden voyage déjà vu, TITANIC 2012.
My Thoughts and Opinion: I have to preface this by saying that I saw the movie, Titanic, on multiple occasions and enjoyed it each time. Also, there will be no spoilers in this review. The premise of the plot, at times parallels the movie to some degree, but the story line stands on its own. The parallels were Harlan Astor, who's great grandfather was lost in the tragedy of the original Titanic, designed the new ship to resemble the original. He also planned other details to resemble the maiden voyage of 1912, such as the dress of the passengers, the menu, the different classes, the valets. As the synopsis states, Titanic 2012 is a suspenseful romance. The author's words transported me back to 1912 and then back to the present. I found myself so engrossed in reading this manuscript whereas I became part of the story and unaware what was going on around me. The characters were brought to life through the writer's descriptions and each had their reasons for wanting to be a part of Titanic 2012. As far as the suspense, a page turner. I apologize for being vague, but there are many aspects to the suspense theme and will not include any spoilers in this review. The romance perspective profound, yet tender and emotional.
I am sorry for posting this review due to the fact that it is unavailable as of right now. But will honestly tell you, that when it is published, it is a must read. If you are a fan of Titanic, the movie, you will love Titanic 2012. Put this one on your TBR list now and hopefully it will be obtainable soon. And like the movie whereas I saw it more than once, when this is in print, I will be reading it again. Bravo Mr. Walker !!
My Rating: 5

While you don't have to be a fan of James Cameron's Titanic movie to read this book, it would certainly help. The novel is a loving tribute or thank you to the film. Unfortunately I was never that impressed with the movie, preferring to have a little more story and characters that have a bit more depth.

In that regard I lucked out because the book has more characterization. Titanic 2012 takes place around the 100 year anniversary of the original Titanic. Harlan Astor, a super rich billionaire and great-grandson of original Titanic victim John Jacob Astor, has a new Titanic secretly built using the exact same design as the original. He invites the story's protagonist, novelist Trevor Hughes, to join him on the maiden voyage and tell the tales of the ship and the people on-board. Coming off a relationship break-up, Trevor agrees. And then in a similar vein to the movie, Trevor falls in love with one of the other passengers who keeps saying that the relationship won't work. In between their moments together, Trevor interviews the passengers who all talk about Cameron's film, "the greatest movie of all time," and why they are on the ship.

Unfortunately the second half of the novel becomes quickly predictable to the readers and loses all sense of surprise. At the same time, much of the emotional attachment is sacrificed. Almost everyone devolves to a hook trying to pull on the reader's heart and not someone that I really cared about. Harlan was the most interesting to me but he's also not around very much in the second half. Overall I would say that the book was enjoyable but not great. I would have liked to see more from the book but it was still entertaining.