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amy_j18's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
carturnright's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
xenlinde's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jessica_artichoke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Alcohol, Colonisation, Grief, Alcoholism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Racial slurs, Child abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Drug use
messydepressy's review against another edition
3.0
This book was, at times, very interesting to read. Other times, just too much description. I didn't like how neat and tidy the story finished at but overall, it was a good book.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook performed by Caroline Lee
3.5***
Historical fiction that looks at the issues of “transport” wherein women convicted of crimes were sent to Australia territories to “work off” their sentences. Kline also deals with the issues surrounding colonialist’s treatment of the indigenous population, with the story of Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of an Aboriginal chief, who is taken in by the new governor of Van Diemen’s Land (now known as Tasmania).
Evangeline, a governess in a “respected household”, is arrested on a trumped-up charge when her pregnancy is discovered. Hazel, a skilled midwife and herbalist who has had to live by her wits from a young age, is arrested for stealing a silver spoon. Hazel is canny and a seasoned survivor, while Evangeline is naïve despite her education, and unprepared for motherhood. On the journey aboard a former slave ship the unlikely pair form a friendship.
Meantime, Mathinna is being educated to be shown off to the governor’s associates as a “triumph” of Western education and values. She is little more than a living doll to the governor’s wife. But she never loses sight of her origins.
Eventually these two storylines intersect. The treatment these women endured was brutal and dehumanizing, but Kline’s characters band together to support one another and triumph. I was interested from beginning to end, and learned a bit more about this episode in history.
Caroline Lee does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. There are a lot of characters to handle and she was up to the task.
3.5***
Historical fiction that looks at the issues of “transport” wherein women convicted of crimes were sent to Australia territories to “work off” their sentences. Kline also deals with the issues surrounding colonialist’s treatment of the indigenous population, with the story of Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of an Aboriginal chief, who is taken in by the new governor of Van Diemen’s Land (now known as Tasmania).
Evangeline, a governess in a “respected household”, is arrested on a trumped-up charge when her pregnancy is discovered. Hazel, a skilled midwife and herbalist who has had to live by her wits from a young age, is arrested for stealing a silver spoon. Hazel is canny and a seasoned survivor, while Evangeline is naïve despite her education, and unprepared for motherhood. On the journey aboard a former slave ship the unlikely pair form a friendship.
Meantime, Mathinna is being educated to be shown off to the governor’s associates as a “triumph” of Western education and values. She is little more than a living doll to the governor’s wife. But she never loses sight of her origins.
Eventually these two storylines intersect. The treatment these women endured was brutal and dehumanizing, but Kline’s characters band together to support one another and triumph. I was interested from beginning to end, and learned a bit more about this episode in history.
Caroline Lee does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. There are a lot of characters to handle and she was up to the task.
knod78's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book on the books around the world challenge. I was obviously drawn to it, because it was about the convicts from England and Tasmania. For me, yes, I would love to go to Australia, but I would love really to go to Tasmania. I have had a long fascination with that part, but I oddly know so little about it. After reading this, I want more.
First of all, I loved her writing and the way she wove stories of these three women so seamlessly. Although, I wished I read this book much later after the Seven Fallen Feathers. It was quite sad and I honestly didn't think the story would end remotely positive. I'm glad it did, but for awhile, I just had little hope. What these women went through, what the indigenous went through, was something to make you cry, get angry, and just be dumbstruck. But women during this century (and well this century too) didn't have rights, especially if you did something like get pregnant before marriage. I loved the themes of the shells and rings of the tree and how you can apply it to your life and the people who shape you. Although, the author only mentioned the women of Ruby's trees and not Dr. Dunne who did save lives.
My issue really is with Mathinna. Her story was so great and I wanted to know more about her after they saw her in the market. I felt like she was cast aside as the drunkard and that's it. And I guess I got hit with one sadness after the next that it was difficult to turn the page for fear I would get hit with something horrible or worse.
I definitely recommend this book if you want to know more about what English convicts went through, especially women and the transport to Australia. You will get a glimpse into what the indigenous population went through, but it definitely was a glimpse. You will feel powerful as a woman reading this knowing that you will have women on your side at some point or the other, and maybe an occasional man, too.
I leave you with this quote from the book, which was powerful...considering what is going on in America with women's rights and everything else...
Dr. Garrett gave an exasperated sigh. “This is why we can’t leave the making of laws to men. They result in travesties of injustice that unfairly burden the poor. And women. Those high and mighty aristocrats, in their black robes and powdered wigs—they have no idea.”
First of all, I loved her writing and the way she wove stories of these three women so seamlessly. Although, I wished I read this book much later after the Seven Fallen Feathers. It was quite sad and I honestly didn't think the story would end remotely positive. I'm glad it did, but for awhile, I just had little hope. What these women went through, what the indigenous went through, was something to make you cry, get angry, and just be dumbstruck. But women during this century (and well this century too) didn't have rights, especially if you did something like get pregnant before marriage. I loved the themes of the shells and rings of the tree and how you can apply it to your life and the people who shape you. Although, the author only mentioned the women of Ruby's trees and not Dr. Dunne who did save lives.
My issue really is with Mathinna. Her story was so great and I wanted to know more about her after they saw her in the market. I felt like she was cast aside as the drunkard and that's it. And I guess I got hit with one sadness after the next that it was difficult to turn the page for fear I would get hit with something horrible or worse.
I definitely recommend this book if you want to know more about what English convicts went through, especially women and the transport to Australia. You will get a glimpse into what the indigenous population went through, but it definitely was a glimpse. You will feel powerful as a woman reading this knowing that you will have women on your side at some point or the other, and maybe an occasional man, too.
I leave you with this quote from the book, which was powerful...considering what is going on in America with women's rights and everything else...
Dr. Garrett gave an exasperated sigh. “This is why we can’t leave the making of laws to men. They result in travesties of injustice that unfairly burden the poor. And women. Those high and mighty aristocrats, in their black robes and powdered wigs—they have no idea.”
m_kirwan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
marlene061313's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
bhookjunkhie's review against another edition
5.0
So so good! I loved every page, from the first to the last❤️