The Last Cruise
A Novel
Book - 2018
The 1950s vintage ocean liner Queen Isabella is making her final voyage before heading to the scrapyard. For the guests on board, among them Christine Thorne, a former journalist turned Maine farmer, it's a chance to experience the bygone mid-twentieth century era of decadent luxury cruising, complete with fine dining, classic highballs, string quartets, and sophisticated jazz. Smoking is allowed but not cell phones--or children, for that matter. The Isabella sets sail from Long Beach, California into calm seas on a two-week retro cruise to Hawaii and back. But this is the second decade of an uncertain new millennium, not the sunny, heedless '50s, and certain disquieting signs of strife and malfunction above and below decks intrude on the festivities. When a time of crisis begins, the passangers find themselves facing the unknown together in an unexpected and startling test of their characters.
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Publisher:
New York : Doubleday, [2018]
Edition:
First edition.
ISBN:
9780385536288
Characteristics:
285 pages ; 25 cm
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Add a CommentThis book took my breath away. I didn't especially relate to the characters but I liked them and found them interesting and the writing is phenomenal. Brilliant and scary.
Not a favorite. First I've read by this author. Took a long time to 'get into it' but I kept reading. Skimmed a lot of descriptive and found conversations more interesting.
As a devoted cruise lover, I was very excited to see how this story would unfold. I found the first part of the book, where the characters are introduced and the groundwork laid, to be quite enjoyable. I thought her observations on her characters' interactions, as well as shipboard life, to be quite engaging. I suppose I was hoping for the story to continue on as a light and airy novel, and found the dark turn of events to be disappointing, and somewhat disturbing. The ending was very unsatisfying for me.
I did like this author's writing style, and so am planning to give one of her other works a try.
I kept reading this book, hoping there would be a point to it someplace along the line. Very disappointed. Would not recommend it to anyone.
NY recc
Odd book about the interactions on a vintage cruise ship, where much goes wrong and many dramas take place. Stereotyped characters, revolt, love and lust, music and food. In the end, a big wave comes along . . . . .