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violetturtledove's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This was a fairly interesting bit of seafaring history. I think maybe the title and cover art were chosen to add a bit of sensationalism, but it's more of a serious look at prison, shipboard and colonial conditions and practices rather than a bawdy tale of orgies. That's not to say there aren't some lighter anecdotes or that it's all grim, it's balanced and sensibly discussed.
lubleu's review against another edition
I'll get back to this at some future period.
pauwikan's review against another edition
3.0
"every woman who had spent time in gaol (jail) had been warped by a system in which you bribed the gaoler or starved; bribed the bullies or were mugged; and bribed the trusty or were raped."
a really interesting read about how felons were transported in the 1800s, specifically women convicted of petty crimes in england who were transported to australia by sea. tackles the double standards within the justice system, the realities of life at sea, and the treatment of women during that time. the historical detail was well researched but could be hard to keep up with, especially when recounting names, which is why i could not get into it at first. an interesting piece of history that you don't often read about and quite sad too considering the reality of their life back then and how these women were considered "a cargo so unnecessary and so unprofitable". "the only way a woman could escape...was to sell herself to a seaman from another ship in return for being smuggled away."
a really interesting read about how felons were transported in the 1800s, specifically women convicted of petty crimes in england who were transported to australia by sea. tackles the double standards within the justice system, the realities of life at sea, and the treatment of women during that time. the historical detail was well researched but could be hard to keep up with, especially when recounting names, which is why i could not get into it at first. an interesting piece of history that you don't often read about and quite sad too considering the reality of their life back then and how these women were considered "a cargo so unnecessary and so unprofitable". "the only way a woman could escape...was to sell herself to a seaman from another ship in return for being smuggled away."
camillalice's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an interesting book. I found the title very misleading, though. While there is some mention of sexual services, it's more about the first convict fleets to Australia, life on board ships in the 18th century and the first years of the Australian settlement. Don't be put off by the title!
nornors's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I kept doubting this book's accuracy. For example,
"By night, when 200 women were shut into the orlop hold, it was all rather less hygienic. The orlop was equipped with 'easing-chairs' or commodes. The most prized berths were furthest from these and closest to the hatches, which gave some ventilation. The majority of women had now been living together in an all-female environment for months, even years, and their menstrual cycles would have started to synchronise. One week each month, the distinctive odour of menstrual blood was added to the smell of the easing-chairs."
It was fascinating to read about the women of the Lady Julian. An easy and entertaining read, however, I would recommend finding a different book on female convicts in place of reading this one, as I feel that her research and claims should have been proof-read and validated before publication.