The Night Ship

by Jess Kidd

A SUNDAY TIMES BEST HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR
A BBC TWO BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK

1628. Embarking on a journey in search of her father, a young girl called Mayken boards the Batavia, the most impressive sea vessel of the age. During the long voyage, this curious and resourceful child must find her place in the ship's busy world, and she soon uncovers shadowy secrets above and below deck. As tensions spiral, the fate of the ship and all on board becomes increasingly uncertain.

1989. Gil, a boy mourning the death of his mother, is placed in the care of his irritable and reclusive grandfather. Their home is a shack on a tiny fishing island off the Australian coast, notable only for its reefs and wrecked boats. This is no place for a child struggling with a dark past and Gil's actions soon get him noticed by the wrong people.

The Night Ship is an enthralling tale of human brutality, providence and friendship, and of two children, hundreds of years apart, whose fates are inextricably bound together.

• ISBN10: 1838856528
• ISBN13: 9781838856526
• Publish Date: 11 August 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Canongate Books
• Edition: Main
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Night Ship is a haunting and evocative story based on the shipwreck of the Batavia in 1629 written by Jess Kidd. Released 4th Oct 2022 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria Books imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in third quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a strikingly lush and complex tale told around the alternating timelines of the two lead characters, children, living their lives separated by more than 3 centuries. Based on the actual wreck of the Batavia in 1629, the author also skillfully weaves in imaginative folklore and fantasy from both European and Antipodean tradition. 

The prose is often disturbing and brilliant in just about equal measure. Some of the descriptions are difficult; and the overall vibe is -very- melancholy and could be distressing for sensitive readers. Both the central characters are children; both suffering trauma, grief, and death. It's a book that will stay with readers. 

Four stars. Very sad.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.