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chloe16's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
juleswells's review against another edition
challenging
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Intriguing book, disturbing at times, definitely sad but with a hopeful ending.
sunset8305's review against another edition
4.0
This was enlightening historical fiction, in which I learned so much about Tasmania’s history. At times rough, at times frightening and at other times sad, this story follows the fates of four characters: Evangeline, Hazel, Olive, Ruby. I found the beginning a slow start / hard to get into, but it picked up. Impressive narrative, weaving so much history with so much plot and character development.
Why’d I pick this? Books + Bakes #2! (To be scheduled)
Why’d I pick this? Books + Bakes #2! (To be scheduled)
cabbage_patch's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-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
4.75
anniesbookstagram's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
bink_64's review against another edition
3.0
Set in the 1840's, the Exiles tells the story of Australia's colonization with convicts from England and the decimation of the Aboriginal people. The story is told in alternating parts by Evangeline, Mathinna, and Hazel. It is very readable, and you can quickly get into the story. It opens with a Prologue about Mathinna, an Aboriginal princess but then she disappears for a good portion of the story.
The majority of the story is about Evangeline, an English governess, convicted of stealing a ring and attempted murder and sentenced to fourteen years in the penal colony of Van Dieman's Island. On the ship she befriends a young girl, Hazel. The story takes us through the horrors of life on a convict ship and life as a convict in young Australia's penal colony. The history is educational, horrific, sad and a reminder of why the lessons of the past are important to remember.
I, unfortunately, found the two stories of Evangeline and Mathinna unmarriable. I kept waiting for them to come together somehow, but they never did and then Mathinna just disappears from the story altogether except for a sad brief reappearance.
Mathinna's story is a very sad one of how the English treated the Aboriginal people as less than human, something to collect, something to eradicate.
I would have liked the story to somehow intertwine better rather than be two separate stories. All in all, fast paced, quick to read, educational. Not as good as some of her previous works.
The majority of the story is about Evangeline, an English governess, convicted of stealing a ring and attempted murder and sentenced to fourteen years in the penal colony of Van Dieman's Island. On the ship she befriends a young girl, Hazel. The story takes us through the horrors of life on a convict ship and life as a convict in young Australia's penal colony. The history is educational, horrific, sad and a reminder of why the lessons of the past are important to remember.
I, unfortunately, found the two stories of Evangeline and Mathinna unmarriable. I kept waiting for them to come together somehow, but they never did and then Mathinna just disappears from the story altogether except for a sad brief reappearance.
Mathinna's story is a very sad one of how the English treated the Aboriginal people as less than human, something to collect, something to eradicate.
I would have liked the story to somehow intertwine better rather than be two separate stories. All in all, fast paced, quick to read, educational. Not as good as some of her previous works.
catads1234's review against another edition
4.0
While I had heard about the exportation of criminals to Australia and the evil treatment of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, this book gave a lot more insight into the horrific circumstances that these people faced.
There were some unexpected turns in this book that kept me guessing as to what would happen. This book captivated me as I explored an area of history that I am not very familiar with and made me want to look more into that time of history.
There were some unexpected turns in this book that kept me guessing as to what would happen. This book captivated me as I explored an area of history that I am not very familiar with and made me want to look more into that time of history.
allisonhensler's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
ginia552's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good and quite compelling and hard to put down. I wished there had been more of Australia itself - but you really don’t get to see much of that part. (I’m always fascinated by the creation of a new society on the edge of a frontier wilderness, but this book focuses on other things.) The male characters are all universally horrible, except one, so it’s obvious that he is The Good Guy and someone will marry him. It definitely shows the cruelty - and capriciousness - of that world. I may have to seek out other titles on Australian settlement to see what I can find. And I should read more of Kline’s books.