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The Cruise and its Context
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The book chronicles the SS Republic's journey across the Atlantic in 1917. It's not just a simple voyage; it's an expedition into the heart of the Great War. The ship carries passengers, including a family with a baby (Billy), a group of conscientious objectors ("palsies"), and the captain, Mr. Bland, who is deeply affected by the ongoing conflict. The narrative shifts between nautical observations, personal reflections, and reported events from the war (like the sinking of the Lusitania and the ongoing submarine threat). It's a tale of observation, discovery, and the quiet anxieties of those not directly engaged in combat.
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