Distant Waves: A Novel of the Titanic: A Novel of the Titanic

by Suzanne Weyn

Book Overview

From the author of REINCARNATION, another historical, supernatural romance, this time focusing on five sisters whose lives are intertwined with the sinking of the Titanic. Science, spiritualism, history, and romance intertwine in Suzanne Weyn's newest novel. Four sisters and their mother make their way from a spiritualist town in New York to London, becoming acquainted with journalist W. T. Stead, scientist Nikola Tesla, and industrialist John Jacob...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0545085721
• ISBN13: 9780545085724
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Creative, original, suspenseful, and absorbing

I personally absolutely loved this book and plan to read over again, it was that good. It has a very complex plot with a lot of things woven into it from that time in history, in fascinating and very creative ways. There are mysterious prophecies in this book, some real and some not, and strange visits from the supernatural that may or may not be false. There is a lot of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I know some people have complained that the Titanic does not play a part in the book until near the end of it. This is true, but there are so many stories about the Titanic's sinking, so many movies and books. Everyone knows the true story of the Titanic. This book is not just another Titanic story. It is a thrilling and mysterious story about the time period, with very interesting twists. As it concludes with the Titanic, all the elements of the story come together at that point. I thought it was very creative and very fun to read how fact and fiction merged together to create this story. This is a very, very good read and I would certainly recommend it. It is tragic, romantic, mysterious, and, at times, very strange and chilling.

Distant Waves

This book was a quick read, mostly because I could not put it down! I would have liked a bit more from the ending, but maybe the author cut it short for a reason. Overall I really enjoyed this book and it made me want to watch Titanic again! I am definitely going to check out this author's other books.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

What would you do if you had foreseen the sinking of the Titanic? DISTANT WAVES is one of many re-tellings of the mysterious happenings surrounding the greatest shipwreck of all time, but Suzanne Weyn's version stands out with its breadth of historical research and, most importantly, with its allusions to the paranormal. Maude Oneida Taylor is a famed psychic, one of the most respected clairvoyants in Spirit Vale, a small liberal town teeming with spiritualists and feminists. Mrs. Taylor's five daughters grow up in rather unusual circumstances, and none of them are typical American girls. Mimi, the oldest, is stunningly beautiful, leaving home to pursue a more luxurious lifestyle and travel through Europe, though she can never truly escape her heritage. Jane, a budding journalist, is the most logical of the bunch, and the story is told through her perspective. Emma and Amelie, twins, seem to have inherited some of their mother's powers. Blythe, the youngest of the group, is completely mesmerized by the power that accompanies fame and fortune. Growing up in Spirit Vale, the Taylor girls have seen so many clairvoyants, some who perhaps really have the gift and others who are clearly frauds. Jane has even seen her mother cheat, scribbling her own messages during "automatic writing" that are supposedly from loved ones that have passed on. There have been times though, when even Jane's jaded self doesn't know what to believe, such as during her sister Amelie's dangerous sleepwalking episodes. Jane's life is influenced greatly by the ideas and attitudes of physicist Nikola Tesla. After a chance meeting in a man-made earthquake in New York City when she was only four, she has followed his career carefully, regarding him as a father-figure of sorts. Tesla's manipulation of electricity and inventive mind are incredible, only eclipsed by his generosity and lack of capitalist greed. Though Jane admires Tesla, it is his handsome assistant, Thad, who captures her heart. As the Titanic sets sail from London, all five sisters find themselves on board, despite multiple predictions of its sinking. Sailing toward what might very well be their demise, Jane and her sisters must hope that somebody or something is out there watching out for them. Weyn clearly understands the time period thoroughly, though occasionally the incorporation of facts seems slightly forced and almost weighs the story down. Readers do gain a wealth of knowledge, including little-known trivia about many celebrities of the era. This book is a must-read for anyone who remembers Leonardo DiCaprio's "I'm king of the world!" line from the movie, or for anyone who has ever entertained the idea that maybe clairvoyancy isn't so far-fetched after all. Reviewed by: Amber Gibson

Distant Waves

What a special and wonderful book! Ms. Weyn has graced us again with yet another wonderful, creative story! A must for everyone's library!

Best book I've read in a year

Wow! What an exciting great book. I couldn't put it down. It's about the Titanic but also so much more--contacting ghosts, the bond between four sisters, relations between mother and daughter, all the science that was happening at that time. I can see that the "waves" part has a lot of meanings like electrical waves, waves of future happenings, spirit waves, as well as the waves surrounding the Titanic. You have GOT TO check this book out. I found more about this author at [...]. The only thing bad is that the gorgeous cover is so girlie because boys would like it too. They can take the book jacket off, I guess.