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Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
Records of a Voyage by Katherine Williams is a historical drama that follows Sara Ann Arkwright’s family. In the late 1800s, Sara experiences an extraordinary love after years of torture and pain. She keeps her experience a secret. However, secrets are bound to be exposed. Years later, Sara Ann’s son, Alfred Arkwright, his wife, Minnie May, and daughter, Cynthia, go on a cruise trip to Egypt that was paid for by his boss. Alfred has recently lost his job and does not understand why he was paid handsomely and sent on the trip. For Minnie May, the trip is a chance to climb the social ladder, make connections for her husband, and find her daughter, Cynthia, a husband. Cynthia is more interested in reading books, learning, and becoming a teacher. She becomes friends with one of the crew members and, through him, discovers a devastating secret about her grandmother’s past.
Records of a Voyage is a moving story spanning the years 1885 to 1936. It shows how family secrets can have lasting effects over generations, and the social challenges that women faced during that era. My favorite part of this book is the relationship between Sarah Ann and Cynthia, which I mainly learned about from Cynthia’s perspective. Her grandmother’s influence helps her to be more independent and curious about the world. Minnie May, on the other hand, is someone I wanted to hate, but she genuinely has a good heart and wants the best for her family. Her ways may not be right, but given the times, she went with the norm. The book is engaging, with interesting characters. The passengers on the trip also have entertaining stories that Katherine Williams has blended into the main storyline. I truly enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who loves historical novels about family, love, and societal expectations.
