Roll Back the Clouds

Author: Terri Wangard
Genre: Historical Fiction

Geoff and Rosaleen Bonnard embark on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to England aboard the fabled Lusitania in 1915. Europe is embroiled in war, but that shouldn’t affect a passenger liner. As they approach Ireland, a German submarine hurtles a torpedo into the grand ship. Rosaleen makes it into a lifeboat, but where is her husband? She searches the morgues in Queenstown, heartsick at recognizing so many people. Geoff is finally located in a Cork hospital, alive but suffering a back injury. While waiting for him to recover, Rosaleen is thrilled to meet her mother’s family, but a dark cloud hovers over her. The battered faces of dead babies haunt her. She sinks into depression, exasperated by Geoff’s new interest in religion. Her once happy life seems out of reach.

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Reviewer: Robbie Pink

Terri Wangard interweaves a tale of heart-wrenching sadness, devastating disclosures, and earth-shattering secrets masterfully blended in unexpected ways. As the Lusitania passengers embark on journeys of friendship, each person’s life becomes interwoven with the other, in unforeseen and helpful manners.

Historical fiction has always been my choice in fiction books because I love history, but sometimes it is just the cut and dried bare facts and dates, leaving me wanting to know more about the people and the era.

As I read the story, I felt dread because I knew the fateful ending (the same reason I am the only person in the world that has not watched the movie Titanic). However, even though I knew about the history surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania, I knew very few details.

Wangard writes about the stunning beauty of the ocean liner, in diagrammatic detail, leaving the reader in breathless awe and raw, poignant sadness knowing the future of the fated ship.

Geoff and Rosaleen, along with a multitude of others board the Lusitania, looked forward to enjoying its beauty along with scheduled fun activities and relaxation. But such was not to be.

As a survivor, Rosaleen relives the horrific circumstances repeatedly, and her husband’s injuries add to her distress. Wangard’s details leave the reader feeling Rosaleen’s anguish, suffering, and torment, too. I can not even begin to imagine. 

Historical fiction fans will want to read Terri Wangard’s newest book, Roll Back the Clouds. Some scenes are very intense and may be difficult for a few readers; for this reason, I would suggest older teens-14+ and adults read the book.

I received this book courtesy of the author, through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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