The Heroine of the Titanic

Description

Told in exuberant verse, this story of “the unsinkable Molly Brown” is scattered throughout with wit, tall tales and exaggeration, much like the hearty heroine herself. Molly Brown is best remembered for refusing to go down with the Titanic, but Blos (A Gathering of Days; Old Henry) presents this episode as only one part of a full, unusual life–focusing instead on her youth, marriage and later travels. Relying on an abundance of brown hues for a beguiling period tone, Dixon’s (Berchick) robust watercolors admirably depict Molly’s childhood in Missouri, while the artist’s attention to detail, particularly fashions, complements Mrs. Brown’s ascension to high society. Both appealing and accessible, this collaboration makes Molly Brown’s love of life and straightforward nature a cause for celebration. Ages 6-up.

Molly Brown has minor legend status, but she was a real person, and one whom kids will have fun discovering. Although certain aspects of her life are known, they’re only tantalizing tidbits. Born in the 19th century in rural Missouri, she had a quest for adventure that took her to a Colorado silver mine; through marriage, she became one of the wealthiest women in Denver. Returning from a trip to Europe, she survived the Titanic disaster. Whatever the facts, Molly is an engaging character, and Blos weaves the few known truths into an appealing story. The subtitle admits to the embellishments that she allows herself–embroidery that would surely be understood and encouraged by the flamboyant Mrs. Brown–in the quick rhythmic episodes. The prose is enhanced by a simple ballad, verses of which appear set off in boxes at various turning points in the tale. Together with the brief text, they bounce along against Dixon’s vivacious watercolor drawings that add to the verve and clarity of the story. Blos brings a respect for history, a love of detail, and straightforwardly zesty language to yet another work. Younger readers will find this a fine companion to Donnelly’s Titanic: Lost and Found (Random, 1987). — Sally T. Margolis, Park Ridge Public Library, IL

Only the title suggests where the climax occurs in this fictionalization of an obscure (if colorful) life with many unknowns: the dated incidents and vignettes in Blos’s account are like beads on a string, well polished but all the same size. Mrs. J. J. Brown (“The Unsinkable Molly”) won fame as a Titanic passenger who was responsible for saving many lives. Part of her earlier life was spent in Colorado, where stories about her are available and her house can still be seen; Blos confides that this book is not so much about her life as it really was but “As She Might Have Liked It Known.” It would have been nice if Blos had stated more clearly what was documented, what she invented, and what may have been Molly’s own hyperbole. Still, an interesting smattering of social history, appealingly added to by the many details of Dixon’s lively watercolors. Kirkus Reviews