Million to One

So, where do I begin?

Everyone knows the story of the Titanic, so of course there were no plot-twists regarding that. The iceberg was a paid actor, and it was only sooner than later that the ship would crash into it. 
Obviously I wasn't very emotional when it got to that part... but– but at the same time I knew the author wouldn't let all four of them die, and neither would she let all four of them survive. So, in the end, it was quite dreading; hoping my favorite characters survive, hoping most of them make it out alive, hoping the others won't have a painful death.

The character I had rooted for, the most, had survived, and that I'm grateful for. 

The person I wanted to see dead the most (not one of the 4), sadly didn't have a death scene but also wasn't mentioned to be alive. I can only hope he had a very slow and painful death, as he deserves, or, if he is alive, at least have a miserable life, wishing he had died on the ship. 

The others, who haven't survived... well, it does hurt, honestly. They deserved it more than ever, especially the one who had given up her seat on the lifeboat for a little boy she didn't know. To be a literal hero and yet die... 
Well, technically... there was no explicit scene confirming them being dead. Hinted, yes, but not for a hundred percent. It would be very much impossible to think they had somewhat a chance of surviving, but if Rose survived on a mere door, then let me believe that they somehow also survived swimming. I can't accept the fact that they died, honestly. 
And it feels so wrong for the ones who did survive. I don't know. 

I didn't think this book would leave me so wrenched in the end, even though I knew, before even opening the book, that a lot of people would die. Ironic, but definitely screams talent from the author. 

PS: as an artist myself, I found one page particularly nice. It was when Emilie met a famous painter on the ship and asked him for help, kind of. Because she had to be so vague of her circumstances, it makes it even better for the reader to relate to her problem. It's kind of about artist's block but also a general block, not knowing what to do or where to go. 
The answer from the painter, really did help me in that moment. As I've been feeling very stuck lately, not just with art but generally with my life, I'm very grateful for this. Thank you, Adiba.

And thank you to my book club, Page Wanderers, for picking this book in June. I might've not read it otherwise anytime soon.