Richard III: A Ruler and His Reputation
Book
Famously depicted as 'Crookback Dick', and as Shakespeare's 'bunch-back'd toad', the alleged...
Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father
Book
For the great majority of his long life, Benjamin Franklin was a loyal British royalist. In 1757,...
The Finest Gardens of the South West
Book
This is the third in a series of books celebrating the finest gardens in Britain and follows on from...
ClareR (5726 KP) rated Dangerous Women in Books
Aug 31, 2021
The dialogue between the women seemed authentic to me. These convicts came from all parts of the British Isles: London, the West Country, Scotland, Ireland. What connected them though, was their crimes all appeared to be the result of their sex and poverty. They were all working class women who had acted out of desperation, and it was really interesting to hear their stories.
I know this is a work of fiction, but the Rajah did exist, as does the quilt that the women were working on. The quilt is now on display in the National Gallery of Australia. I googled it - it’s beautiful. How anyone could have produced it whilst on a ship in the ocean, I have no idea 🤢
The conditions on board must have been appalling. At the start, the Matron instructs the women to scrub their quarters, but they would have been cramped, their toilet was below decks (buckets), and seasickness along with poor food would have made quite some heady aroma! They may have been convicts, but I was impressed by their stoicism in these circumstances.
I felt that I learnt an awful lot whilst reading this, as well as being thoroughly entertained - it’s a fabulous book!
Merissa (12051 KP) rated The Secret of Drulea Cottage (Betwixt the Sea and Shore #1) in Books
Aug 20, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
Briony is the village midwife but that is the only time she is wanted. She is the illegitimate daughter of Bethany, who was also illegitimate. The villagers shun her and expect her to follow in her mother's footsteps. Briony is used to it and tries to keep out of their way, although she enjoys spending time with Adaira, her only friend. Her life changes when two men enter it.
The beginning of this story was a slow burn, gently leading you in with old terms and descriptions of Briony's life. It really gets going once Santiago and Niall turn up. Both men have a powerful effect on Briony, but with secrets galore, she has no idea just who or what they are.
This was a fascinating story of the Selkies, with some Portuguese political intrigue thrown in for good measure. The characters are well-described and fit neatly in their boxes. You immediately know who the good guys are, and who are the big bad, even if you don't know why.
A great start to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 20, 2021
A New World of Labor: The Development of Plantation Slavery in the British Atlantic
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The small and remote island of Barbados seems an unlikely location for the epochal change in labor...
The Ash Tree
Book
Ash is one of the most common trees in the British Isles - there are nearly as many ash trees as...
The Peregrine: The Hill of Summer & Diaries: the Complete Works of J. A. Baker
Mark Cocker, John Fanshawe and J.A. Baker
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Reissue of J. A. Baker's extraordinary classic of British nature writing Despite the association of...
Heart Religion: Evangelical Piety in England & Ireland, 1690-1850
Book
The Evangelical Revival of the mid-eighteenth century was a major turning point in Protestant...