Patti Callahan Henry
Mar 9, 202110 min
Updated: Jan 24, 2022
March 9, 2021 Newsletter
Here's what she had to say. . .
"A beautiful, richly detailed novel about a lost bit of American maritime history. In a seamless blending of fact and fiction, Patti has created an atmospheric, compelling story of survival, tragedy, the enduring power of myth and memory, and the moments that change one's life."
Click Here for Signed first edition books. For signed bookplates, please mail a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Patti Callahan Henry
1919 Oxmoor Road. PMB #303
Homewood, AL 35209
Elegant or Casual attire. Open seating. Join your fellow shipmates, the captain, and guests, for fun-filled events and adventures at sea— from virtually anywhere.
Listen to The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah on Spotify. Join New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan for an in-depth exploration into the fascinating stories explored in her novel, Surviving Savannah.
You'll hear interviews with some of the foremost experts on the myth and lore of Savannah, shipwreck treasure hunting, the hidden stories in museums, and the astounding real-life family story that inspired the novel.
Though you’re free to explore each port on your own, taking a tour can be a memorable and convenient way to immerse yourself in history.
In SURVIVING SAVANNAH, Patti Callahan has woven a sweeping, captivating tale; of a contemporary woman lost in a fog of grief who finds solace-- and finally, redemption as she uncovers the long-buried secrets of a nearly forgotten shipwreck—and the courageous women who survived to bear witness to history. Based in fact, steeped in heart-breaking detail, SURVIVING SAVANNAH raises the little-known, 180-year-old story of the Southern Titanic to the forefront of American historic fiction.
SUMMARY
It was called "The Titanic of the South." The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board; through time, their fates were forgotten--until the wreck was found, and now their story is finally being told in this breathtaking novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
When Savannah history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski, she's shocked. The ship sank after a boiler explosion in 1838, and the wreckage was just discovered, 180 years later. Everly can't resist the opportunity to try to solve some of the mysteries and myths surrounding the devastating night of its sinking.
Everly's research leads her to the astounding history of a family of eleven who boarded the Pulaski together, and the extraordinary stories of two women from this family: a known survivor, Augusta Longstreet, and her niece, Lilly Forsyth, who was never found, along with her child. These aristocratic women were part of Savannah's society, but when the ship exploded, each was faced with difficult and heartbreaking decisions. This is a moving and powerful exploration of what women will do to endure in the face of tragedy, the role fate plays, and the myriad ways we survive the surviving.
Read an Excerpt
Book Club Kit
Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: March 9, 2021
ISBN-10: 1984803751 ISBN-13: 978-1984803757
Formats: Hardcover, e-book, Audiobook
Cruise Book Club
Check out the wealth of information for your next book club:
Letter from the Author
A Conversation with Patti
The Long Street Family Tree
Map of Ship's Course
Artifacts
Who Perished & Survived
Timeline
Loss of Pulaski
Discussion Questions
Recipe
"New Southern Books We’re Eager To Read in 2021."
—Atlanta Journal
"Kick Off Spring with the 25 Best New Books of March 2021."
—PopSugar
"Book Picks for Spring 2021."
—Deep South Magazine
"Top 20 Spring Book Picks"
—AARP Magazine
“Most Anticipated Spring 2021 Historical Fiction Books”
—Biblio Lifestyle
"Winter’s Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Books."
—SheReads
"Top Book Covers for Spring 2021"
—Parade Magazine
"Here's Your 2021 Spring Reading List: Page-Turners."
—Scoop Charlotte
"2021 Books to Look Forward to."
—Buzz Magzine
"2021 Women’s Fiction to Watch For."
—BookTrib
"8 Highly-Anticipated Books in March"
—Borneo Bulletin
"[G] ripping....While Lilly’s story is moving, Callahan’s portrait of Everly drives the story, bringing to life a little-known shipwreck in meticulous detail. Fans of Southern historicals should check out this engrossing, centuries-spanning tale.
—Publishers Weekly
“Callahan (Becoming Mrs. Lewis) tells a harrowing tale of survival and courage, fate and chance, bringing the actual tragedy of the Pulaski to vivid life.”
―Library Journal
“The success of ‘Surviving Savannah’ can be found in Callahan’s ability to vividly bring to
life a fascinating, harrowing slice of history that should be as well-known as the Titanic,
especially for Southerners.”
—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Both Augusta and Lilly are women of their times, dependent on their family, especially the males, but their struggles at sea after the boiler explosion, and amid the fear and heavy loss, reveal courage and a resilience to survive that elevates them and brings on newfound strength.”
—Historical Novel Society
"An abundance of courage, selflessness, and amazing grace, demonstrating the best of humankind amidst the worst of times. 5 Stars. Highly recommend!"
—The Bluffton Sun
"SURVIVING SAVANNAH is told through a dual timeline, and Callahan smoothly uses the past to illuminate the present-day narrative and deftly and empathetically re-creates a harrowing disaster that too many have forgotten."
—The Augusta Chronicle
"Fans of Christina Baker Kline and Kate Quinn will love this beautiful, richly detailed novel about a lost bit of American maritime history. In a seamless blending of fact and fiction, Patti Callahan has created an atmospheric, compelling story of survival, tragedy, the enduring power of myth and memory, and the moments that change one's life."
—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Great Alone and The Four Winds
"Hidden history rises from the watery depths in all its glittering glory but also in its intimate, human detail. Meticulously researched, beautifully written, underpinned by
timeless themes of personal trauma and its aftereffects, Surviving Savannah is a journey readers and book clubs will treasure.”
—Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends
"Patti Callahan masterfully weaves a little-known historical tragedy, an enigmatic mystery, and a searing family saga into a mesmerizing tale that will captivate readers until the last page and beyond."
—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris
“In this lush, vibrant novel by the indomitable Patti Callahan, one can feel with incredible vibrancy the raw terror aboard a sinking steamship in the darkness, the searing pain of loss, the modern-day mystery of a ghost ship unearthed in the ocean’s depth...[A] rich tale of friendship, heritage, forgiveness, redemption, and the thin, too-fragile line between life and death. How will we survive the surviving? one of her characters wonders, and it is a question that Callahan mines beautifully. If you’re fascinated by the Titanic, meet your new favorite novel."
—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names
"The astonishing story of the 'Titanic of the South' is brought to vivid life by Callahan, who effortlessly blends fact and fiction into a novel that I simply couldn’t put down. This tale of survival, love, and loss, as well as Callahan’s epic portrayals of a trio of strong, passionate women, gripped me from the very first page. Simply masterful."
—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue
“[A] sweeping, captivating tale of a contemporary woman lost in a fog of grief who finds solace, and finally, redemption, as she uncovers the long-buried secrets of a nearly forgotten shipwreck—and the courageous women who survived to bear witness to history. Based in fact, steeped in heartbreaking detail, Surviving Savannah raises the little-known, 180-year-old story of the Southern Titanic to the forefront of American historical fiction.”
—Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Hello, Summer
“A luminous novel about bravery, connection, and resilience that resurrects a forgotten 19th-century shipwreck and interlaces it with a page-turning contemporary narrative. With lush historical detail and a graceful pen, Callahan raises questions about fate, faith, and human purpose that are timeless. Surviving Savannah has the luster of a secret that’s been pulled from the depths of the sea.”
—Signe Pike, Bestselling author of The Lost Queen & The Forgotten Kingdom
“In Patti Callahan’s fiercely hopeful Surviving Savannah, the past and the present intertwine with ringing authenticity. Disaster and crisis become a powerful testing ground, as Callahan’s expertly-drawn characters are forced to discover how to live past tragedy, and what matters most in the aftermath. This is exactly the kind of story we need right now.
—Paula McClain, Bestselling author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go Dark
"What a marvelous tapestry Patti Callahan has woven in SURVIVING SAVANNAH![S]pellbinding….Beautifully written with a masterfully crafted plot, Surviving Savannah leaves the reader breathless and marveling at the manner in which the past and present interweave in ways we almost cannot imagine.”
—Marie Benedict, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Only Woman in the Room & The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
“Through the interwoven tales of three courageous women, Surviving Savannah grips the reader in a spellbinding novel full of mystery, tragedy, sacrifice, and resilience....Superb.”
—Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday
“Riveting...a heartfelt exploration of the pain of survival amid incalculable loss, and a mesmerizing character study of three women...[A] memorable and profoundly moving novel that readers are destined to cherish.”
—Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author of The Gown & Our Darkest Night
"[A] lush, meticulously researched deep-dive into the little-known story of a historic shipwreck....Surviving Savannah is a lyrical homage to this southern city and makes a real contribution to the historical record."
—Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America’s First Daughter
Book Review: ‘Surviving Savannah’ a vivid account of an historic tragedy."
Book Review: “Callahan (Becoming Mrs. Lewis) tells a harrowing tale of survival and courage, fate and chance, bringing the actual tragedy of the Pulaski to vivid life.”―Library Journal
Media: "The Titanic of the South’: New look, new voices in epic Lowcountry tragedy."
—The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette
Media: "Alabama author Patti Callahan explores ‘Titanic of the South’ in ‘Surviving Savannah."
Media: "By the book: Authors bring naval, African-American history into focus."
Media: "Kick Off Spring with the 25 Best New Books of March 2021."
Media: "Looking for a great novel? Top 20 picks to add to your spring reading list."
Media: "Here’s Your 2021 Spring Reading List—Page-Turners."
Podcast Interview: "Surviving Savannah with Patti Callahan and more."
Podcast Interview: "Surviving Savannah, "The Titanic of the South" with Patti Callahan."
Podcast Interview: "Author ‘Patti Callahan’ Talks Her Great New Historical Fiction Novel Surviving Savannah."
Media: "Most Anticipated Spring 2021 Historical Fiction Books."
Your first-hand experiences really help other cruisers. You can post a review on Amazon or any of your favorite book sites or online retailer. From Goodreads, a blog, or share on your favorite social media platform. Form a book club, or join in a virtual event. We love hearing from you!
Upcoming: Look for a special essay by the Captain (Patti Callahan) to appear in
PARADE MAGAZINE tomorrow, March 10th on the Friends & Fiction page.
“Stories that steal your imagination.”
Photo Credit: Bud Johnson Photography Savannah, GA
Patti Callahan is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of sixteen novels and podcast host. She is the recipient of The Christy Award—A 2019 Winner "Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year for 2020 and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for 2019.
“With a belief that the power of story changes us and moves us, Patti’s historical fiction, SURVIVING SAVANNAH, WILD SWAN, and BECOMING MRS. LEWIS explores the untold stories of the past that affect us now.” (writing as Patti Callahan)
SURVIVING SAVANNAH, a new historical fiction, based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski wreck, known as "The Titanic of the South" was released March 9, 2021.
The new podcast series, "The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah" is an in-depth exploration into the fascinating stories explored in her novel, Surviving Savannah. The podcast series includes interviews with some of the foremost experts on the myth and lore of Savannah, shipwreck treasure hunting, the hidden stories in museums, and the astounding real-life family story that inspired the novel. Available now.
WILD SWAN, a novella following the fiery life of one of history’s greatest heroines and the mother of modern nursing: Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan was released December 2020, as an Audible Original performed by the award-winning narrator, Cynthia Erivo.
BECOMING MRS. LEWIS, The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis was released in an expanded edition, March 2020. The author is also the host of the popular seven-part original "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series" launched, October 2019. The podcast audiobook collection including bonus material was released in January 2020. The new expanded BECOMING MRS. LEWIS paperback edition was released in March 2020.
REUNION BEACH, Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank, a collaboration and tribute to be released April 27, 2021, and available for pre-order now. Patti joins a group of bestselling authors to present a moving anthology to pay tribute to the legendary NYT bestselling author and her literary legacy.
ONCE UPON A WARDROBE is another tenderly imagined and enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis from Callahan— coming October 19, 2021, and available for pre-order now—published by Harper Collins' new imprint —Harper Muse. Callahan's Once Upon a Wardrobe will be their debut novel launching this fall.
Patti Callahan is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast, featuring the five bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel, and Mary Alice Monroe. With endless stories and special guests, live every Wednesday at 7 pm ET on the Friends and Fiction Facebook group page, their YouTube Channel, and Parade Magazine Facebook page. You can follow them on Instagram and, for weekly updates, subscribe to their newsletter
In a recent essay series partnership with Parade Magazine, each Wednesday viewers get a new “life lesson” from one of the FF writers on Parade.com as well as a chance to discuss the themes later that evening on Facebook Live.
A full-time author and mother of three children, she now resides in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina with her husband. Read More.