Matthew Pearl earned his reputation as a great writer with a series of well-researched historical thrillers that rivaled the work of authors such as Dan Brown. His latest book, SAVE OUR SOULS, is his second foray into nonfiction and is just as fascinating as his fiction.

In 1887, the Walker family --- Frederick, Elizabeth and their three teenage sons, along with the family dog --- attempts to enjoy a shark-hunting voyage in the area around the Hawaiian Islands. Their ship, The Wandering Minstrel, sets sail with the Walkers and a small crew on February 3, 1888. Some of them will never be seen again, and the horrors they must face make for an incredibly suspenseful and entertaining read.

"Matthew Pearl’s able hand is very much on display as he is one of our finest researchers, and his mastery of historical fiction drives this account through like a suspense novel."

The name of the ship made me think of both Shakespeare and Gilbert and Sullivan. But we learn that Frederick took the name from a one-act Victorian play by Henry Mayhew, who was a friend of Charles Dickens. The Walkers need to have some success with this adventure as some bad business deals in Hong Kong have left them nearly destitute.

A major storm changes the seas to a whirling dervish of destruction that strikes The Wandering Minstrel and splits it in two. The family and most of the crew are able to get off the sinking ship and land on Sand Island, which has minimal vegetation and food sources. They also try in vain each day to watch the sea and its horizon in the hopes of flagging down any passing ship. The situation becomes divisive among the survivors, especially with Cameron, a crewman who doesn’t wish to band together but goes his own way with a small group of like-minded mates.

When a hut is found on the island, they all hope it can be a source of shelter for the sick and younger castaways. They are quite surprised to find that a man already occupies it, Hans Jorgensen, who claims to be the only survivor of his shipwreck. Hans appears on the surface to be kind and helpful, but it’s not long before his dark side comes out.

Parts of a small boat are washed up amongst other items on Sand Island, and the group attempts to make a new ship from this one and other materials. One day, the Walkers notice that their ship’s chef, Frank Lord, absconded with the new boat they had made with a handful of other crewman. They would not be seen or heard from again. Many perils are faced by the castaways on what turns out to be a 10-month stay on Sand Island. We are regaled with stories of other ill-fated ships that sailed in the same area, and we take a closer look at Hans.

The Walkers’ story is a great one and lends itself to comparisons in classic literature with novels like THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON and ROBINSON CRUSOE. It also inspires Robert Louis Stevenson to pen his own tale of survival on the high seas. The ordeal in this book is told in a way that resembles a thriller with elements of psychological horror thrown in for good measure. Matthew Pearl’s able hand is very much on display as he is one of our finest researchers, and his mastery of historical fiction drives this account through like a suspense novel.