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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter
by Lizzie Pook
Western Australia, 1886 Twenty year old Eliza Brightwell and her family have lived in Bannin Bay for ten years now. Her father is a pearl master, her brother works by his side, and Eliza is alone when they go on their ten week pearling expeditions. It's dangerous and deadly work, less so for her father and brother, but very dangerous and deadly for those that work under them.
Eliza has no desire to fit in with the society ladies of Bannin Bay so she is ignored almost as if she is not a member of the upper class. She's lonely but she knows she is so very much better off than the people who are abused, neglected, and used up until they are dead. The stench of death is a part of this coastal town, with the butcher of animals, fish, birds, and sometimes the humans that are considered less than human. The law is corrupt, the masters are king, and everyone else is struggling to survive.
The story is bleak and I never could really enjoy it. When Eliza's father doesn't come back from the last pearling expedition and her brother can't tell her what happened to him, she is determined to find him. She needs and wants no man but does accept the help of a young touring German because it takes a man to get into places that a woman isn't allowed. Eliza is suicidal in her mission to find her father and towards the end of the story, she really does not care if she lives. The story is interesting in many ways but too brutal, We know of the brutality but it's hard to get a sense of the people, other than Eliza and the man who travels with her. This story does make me want to know more about Eliza Broadhurst, one of the people the author used as the starting point in developing the character of Eliza.
Pub June 14th 2022
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this print ARC.
by Lizzie Pook
Western Australia, 1886 Twenty year old Eliza Brightwell and her family have lived in Bannin Bay for ten years now. Her father is a pearl master, her brother works by his side, and Eliza is alone when they go on their ten week pearling expeditions. It's dangerous and deadly work, less so for her father and brother, but very dangerous and deadly for those that work under them.
Eliza has no desire to fit in with the society ladies of Bannin Bay so she is ignored almost as if she is not a member of the upper class. She's lonely but she knows she is so very much better off than the people who are abused, neglected, and used up until they are dead. The stench of death is a part of this coastal town, with the butcher of animals, fish, birds, and sometimes the humans that are considered less than human. The law is corrupt, the masters are king, and everyone else is struggling to survive.
The story is bleak and I never could really enjoy it. When Eliza's father doesn't come back from the last pearling expedition and her brother can't tell her what happened to him, she is determined to find him. She needs and wants no man but does accept the help of a young touring German because it takes a man to get into places that a woman isn't allowed. Eliza is suicidal in her mission to find her father and towards the end of the story, she really does not care if she lives. The story is interesting in many ways but too brutal, We know of the brutality but it's hard to get a sense of the people, other than Eliza and the man who travels with her. This story does make me want to know more about Eliza Broadhurst, one of the people the author used as the starting point in developing the character of Eliza.
Pub June 14th 2022
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this print ARC.
Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter by Lizzie Pook takes you to the 19th century in Australia. A family moves from London to Bannin Bay pursuing a future in pearl diving. You meet Eliza Brightwell as a young child and follow along her experiences. A historical fiction novel with a mystery to solve. Eliza’s father has disappeared and she is determined to figure out what happened. You get to see how challenging it must have been ti be female and try to do this during the late 1880’s. I really enjoyed the unique setting and details for the historical part. It was a page turner and I wanted to find out what happened. I want to thank Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early.
Eliza is determined to find her father after he goes missing on his most recent pearling expedition, even though everyone else believes he is dead she is convinced he's still out there somewhere.
The author really did focus on the atmosphere for this story and the writing is good, but I felt the characters suffered do to this focus, I honestly couldn't tell you much about Eliza other than the fact that she's stubborn and usually a bit stupid about it, never taking consequences into account until she's already in the middle of them.
The other characters are focused on so little that they just seemed really flat and a few were unnecessary, the whole pearling industry was pretty interesting though.
I received this ARC through NetGalley and Simon & Schuster
The author really did focus on the atmosphere for this story and the writing is good, but I felt the characters suffered do to this focus, I honestly couldn't tell you much about Eliza other than the fact that she's stubborn and usually a bit stupid about it, never taking consequences into account until she's already in the middle of them.
The other characters are focused on so little that they just seemed really flat and a few were unnecessary, the whole pearling industry was pretty interesting though.
I received this ARC through NetGalley and Simon & Schuster
Great descriptions of the setting and interesting excerpts from Eliza's father's diary, but weaker character development with weird reactions throughout.
Very informative book about the pearler industry off the coast of Australia. Great writing, relatable characters. Overall a great read.
I have now read 2 historical fiction books with different settings and periods that I have not read before and I love them. The book was very fast-paced and descriptive, I could feel each setting described beautifully. We get to see how the author incorporates themes such as the racism against aboriginals and the cruelties of the pearl diving business. I loved that the story did not go with the obvious romance and of course, our protagonist was smart, strong, and determined, she knew from the beginning that her father was not dead and she did not give up. I felt that the end was a little rushed and resolved itself too easily but I enjoyed the ride to the ending, it was excellent.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Vivid romantic language in an interesting historical setting. Eliza, the main character, is not as smart as she thinks missing some obvious clues however I did enjoy the story and the family dynamic. I liked a lot of the characters, and liked the bad ones getting their comeuppance, and the good ones having the correct feelings towards the original people of the land. Billarri and Quill were good. I would have liked for us to know the child in the end and finish of the plot line for Thomas.
[Spoiler]
I do hate how feminist books insist on killing their greatest romance plot to make a statement about a woman not being tied down by a man. Axel could have been perfect, happy for Min but wish it ended differently.
[Spoiler]
What an interesting read, I learned something new once again through historical Fiction books. This one dives into the history of Pearl diving in western Australia and a fictional story and mystery set in the 19 century. The story is beautifully written and very descriptive making you feel like you are right on the shore taking in the sights and smells. When Eliza’s father does not return with his crew she will not believe he lost his life at sea but rather that he was a victim and is out there somewhere waiting to be rescued .. The story follows her journey to find the truth about what happened to him and while doing this she finds herself. I was surprised with a few of the relationships and what the outcome was…..
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own. I would recommend this book to friends and family and I think it would be a great read for a book club
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own. I would recommend this book to friends and family and I think it would be a great read for a book club