Raising The Titanic - Bonus Material

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Titanic Book Club Questions   |   Titanic Book Club Trivia

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Titanic Book Club Questions

1. Identity and Legacy:
The project at the heart of the novel aims to restore names to the unnamed Titanic victims. How does the theme of reclaiming identity echo through both Madison’s and Helen’s storylines?
2. Science vs. Sensationalism:
The book juxtaposes rigorous forensic work with the demands of a documentary series. How do you feel about the ethical lines between honoring the dead and creating entertainment? Do you watch any ‘real crime’ shows that are doing something similar?
3. Madison’s Transformation:
Madison begins the story lost—personally and professionally. In what ways does the Titanic project give her purpose again? What are the key turning points in her personal arc?
4. Helen’s Fight for Independence:
Helen challenges her era’s expectations of women by seeking education and self-determination. How did her struggle resonate with you?
5. Truth Beneath the Surface:
Both the literal and metaphorical unearthing of long-buried stories plays a major role. What truths—personal, historical, or emotional—are revealed through the course of the book?
6. Connection Across Time:
The novel alternates between past and present. How did the dual timelines enrich the narrative? Did you find one storyline more emotionally compelling?
7. Team Dynamics:
The diverse team brought together for the exhumation and identification project comes from different disciplines and backgrounds. Who was your favorite supporting character, and why?
8. Madison’s Humor & Voice:
Madison uses sarcasm and humor to cope with uncertainty. How did her inner voice affect your connection to her? Did it make her more relatable?
9. Ancestry and Belonging:
The project’s goal is to connect the past with the present through DNA and genealogy. What does the novel suggest about our need to know where we come from? How does that shape who we are? Have you ever researched your own links to the past? Why?/Why not?
10. The Role of Women in History:
Helen is inspired by real historical figures like Clara Barton and Maria Mitchell. How does the book challenge the way women’s roles have been written—or erased—from history? What are your favorite books/movies that feature strong female characters from the past?

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Titanic Book Club Trivia

1. What year did the Titanic sink?
2. From which city did the Titanic depart on its maiden voyage?
3. What was the Titanic’s intended final destination?
4. What was the name of the company that owned the Titanic?
5. Who was the captain of the Titanic?
6. What was the name of the ship that rescued Titanic survivors?
7. What caused the Titanic to sink?
8. How many classes of passengers were there on the Titanic?
9. What was the Titanic’s official designation (RMS stands for…)?
10. On which day of the week did the Titanic strike the iceberg?
11. What is the name of the Titanic’s famous “unsinkable” female survivor?
12. Which popular 1997 film starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as fictional Titanic passengers?
13. True or False: The Titanic had a sister ship named the Olympic.
14. What was the Titanic’s nickname before its voyage? (Hint: about its size and supposed safety)

Answers

1. 1912
2. Southampton, England
3. New York City
4. White Star Line
5. Captain Edward John Smith
6. RMS Carpathia
7. Collision with an iceberg
8. Three (First, Second, Third)
9. Royal Mail Ship
10. Sunday
11. Molly Brown (“The Unsinkable Molly Brown”)
12. Titanic
13. True
14. “The Unsinkable Ship”