Titanic Survivor: The Memoirs of Violet Jessop Stewardess [Paperback]

 

 

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This is the biography of an extraordinary woman, who was so much more then just a Titanic survivor; she was a true survivor, with all the meaning of the word.

Born in Argentina where her Irish parents immigrated, Violet had to endure and overcome a serious illness that she was not expected to survive, sexual abuse, loss of several of her siblings, constant changes of location in search of a better life, and extreme poverty. And yet, she describes her childhood as a happy one, filled with love, wisdom, warmth and an altogether positive attitude towards life. After her father's death the family moved to England, where again she had to face extreme poverty, loss, sexual abuse and to sacrifice her own dreams in order to help her family. Once again, Violet remained optimistic and positive.

During her many years at sea; a profession she chose out of necessity and never actually liked it, she survived three disasters. Her narration of Titanic's sinking is amazing and I think that from all the books, documentaries and movies about this famous liner, these thirty pages moved me the most. She provides so many information I never knew about Titanic, like the fact that this was the first time the crew was asked what little improvements would make their work easier and it was Tommy Andrews, whom she dearly loved, that made sure all improvements would be made. Also I never knew that there was a cat onboard, which had just given birth to a basket of kittens; so very sad. Violet's account of her last moments on Titanic are surreal and moving and her farewells to dear brave friends who perished that night will forever haunt me. As will her desperate hopes that the Californian would rescue them in time, and her account of their rescue by the Carpathia, which some women mistook for Titanic and greeted with joy, thinking that their loved ones were safe and all was well.

As if Titanic was not enough, during WWI she was posted as a nurse on Titanic's sister ship, the Britannic. When the ship was hit by a mine and sank in 1916, in Greece, Violet was among the few people who fell overboard and was injured by the ship's propellers, but it was her will to live that saved her. Once again Violet found the silver lining and kept a positive attitude and a sense of humour.

Violet never found happiness in her personal life, though few people deserve happiness as she did. She had a brief unhappy marriage with a co-worker that she does not mention in her memoirs, and never had children which she so much loved, although she did save a child's life on Titanic. Her great love with the elusive Australian Ned, remained unrecruited, but she always loved him and was very proud that she rejected multiple proposals for prosperous marriages "for the love of a pair of quizzical eyes."

The book is excellently introduced, edited and annotated by John Maxtone Graham. He provides all the facts that the reader needs to know in order to better understand Violet's memoirs and he comments on her narration without however interrupting her story. Also he explains the real names of Titanic's crew and passengers, as Violet changed most of the names. The book also includes interesting letters that Violet wrote to friends and family.

I bought this book as I thought that it would be an interesting account of Titanic's disaster but this is so much more. It is a fascinating biography of a strong woman, who's life was so full and interesting that Titanic was only a small part of it, and the best thing is that it is so well written and gripping that I could not put it down. Highly Recommended!

I couldn't put this book down. Violet Jessop was an incredible woman, surviving not just one but three accidents at sea. Her attitude is admirable and as you read more and more, you come to admire and respect her.

V.J was born October 2nd, 1887 of Irish parents in Argentina. Her health was very poor during childhood, but eventually she and her parents returned to the u.k in poverty. She had to forgo a valuable scholarship to support her beloved family. Her life at sea has a well written, intelligent restraint feel about it. She served on the all three of the Olympic class ships; the Titanic, the Britanic and the Olympic, amongst others. The first one you know about, but the second was hit by a mine in WW1 and sunk in less than 40 mins. She had a cracked skull from the accident but continued to nurse! The main interest, that of the Titanic, is very low key and only occupies 20 pages or so. Don't let this put you off, however. This is typical of the woman; suppressing large tragic events and magnify romatically low key events. The life of a maid was very hard and poorly paid and all sacrificed their home and family life for the rigid task masters of the cruise liners. The love of her life-Ned-drifts in and out of the picture as they span the worlds oceans in toil & labour. She was a handsome, practical, intelligent and caring women. I liked her character and she weaves a saga of another age. We will not see her like again.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story.
As someone who cannot read enough books related to the White Star Line then this was perfect for me!
Violet Jessops life is fascinating, moving and shocking. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Kenneth E. Tutton

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER
This book is so well written, and with such old-fashioned "niceness" that you really get a true flavour of what life was like a century ago. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Alan Alexander

3.0 out of 5 stars A strong narrative badly let down
Violet Jessop's part of this book is a magnificent, heart-warming story of a woman who, from a sense of duty to her mother and siblings, took up a career she feared yet persisted... Read more

Published 11 months ago by CCE

5.0 out of 5 stars What a woman of her age.
I bought this Soft Back book (new) because of my interest in the Titanic.

Of course half an hour later found it on Ebay at half the price (used). Read more

Published 12 months ago by K. A. Newton

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read - shame about the typo's!
I too found I couldn't put this book down - but it was a shame that there were several typing errors in it! Note to the proof readers. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Carole

4.0 out of 5 stars Fact Is Stranger Than Fiction
To be born and raised on the Argentinian pampas and die of old age in a Suffolk village sounds mildly interesting. Read more

Published 17 months ago by PMC

5.0 out of 5 stars human story
I FOUND THIS STORY OF VIOLET JESSOP A VERY HUMAN STORY OF A WOMAN WHO FACED LIFES PROBLEMS FULL ON AND KEPT GOING NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENED

Published on 1 July 2009 by Andrew C. Fraser

4.0 out of 5 stars A worthwhile read
Ms Jessop has written this book in an older style of narrative & is able to paint an accurate picture without being overly wordy. Read more

Published on 29 Jun 2009 by Lost Paddler

4.0 out of 5 stars A memorable life at sea
Although this book is called 'Titanic Survivor' and includes a vivid and exciting description of that memorable event, the rest of Violet Jessop's life contained many interesting... Read more

Published on 22 Aug 2008 by L O'connor

5.0 out of 5 stars Titanic was just a small part of this full, rich life
How I would have loved to have met Violet Jessop. Her book is frustratingly short and I have so many questions that I would love to ask her about her years at sea. Read more

Published on 10 Aug 2008 by Graceann Macleod

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