You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
macfiar's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books of all time! Donoghue is a fantastic writer.
shiradest's review against another edition
2.0
While I did not like the novel, probably due to my own prudishness, I did enjoy the knock on upper middle class 'educated' questions: how big a trading post is Quebec?! :-) Great commentary, and very well worked-in to the scene!
Shira
William James MEOW Date: Wednesday, July 11. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)
Shira
William James MEOW Date: Wednesday, July 11. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)
elisteixner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
librasgroove's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
Slammerkin is a slowly paced read about sex work and the love of fine clothing in 1700s England. Doll Huggins is my personal favorite character, as she adds a sense of humor and lightness to an otherwise sad tale of the teenage Mary Saunders. If you read between the lines, there are some lesbian undertones but they only add more angst than anything else.teodora_paslaru's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third book I read by Emma Donoghue (after [b:Room|31685789|Room|Emma Donoghue|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1472239721l/31685789._SX50_.jpg|9585076] and [b:The Wonder|28449257|The Wonder|Emma Donoghue|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1463229441l/28449257._SY75_.jpg|47261413]). This time I begin reading it with the purpose to discover what makes her books so wonderful. And I did. The answer is nothing special. Nothing, except each word perfectly fits with the next. Nothing, except characters that have many dimensions, that have flows as well as qualities, and whose actions can start long debates over what is right and what is wrong in this world.
The action happens in England (London and Monmouth), late eighteen century. The main character of this book is a young girl who is thrown in the streets by her mother after she discovers her daughter is pregnant. As a mean to survive, she becomes a prostitute. But Mary is so much more than that. She is a girl with ambition and a love for fine clothing, a girl who constantly wishes to better herself, to wipe the place society had written for herself and create a new one. She takes decisions, some good, some bad, but most of them so on the edge that it's hard to decide if they are good or bad. Despite her many flows, I found hard to blame this girl for anything after all. Even at the end, at the big scene that comes as a big shock (I don't want to say more because of spoilers), there was a part of be that understood her. Others might not. And this is what makes this book so great. The same scene can get different responses from different writer. A single scene is enough to create discussions that would last for hours.
I enjoyed this book. I can't say what I like the most about this book. Was it its subject? Or was it the style of writing? A combination of both? Hard to say. One thing I can say for sure. Emma Donoghue is a great writer and this was not the last book of her I will read.
The action happens in England (London and Monmouth), late eighteen century. The main character of this book is a young girl who is thrown in the streets by her mother after she discovers her daughter is pregnant. As a mean to survive, she becomes a prostitute. But Mary is so much more than that. She is a girl with ambition and a love for fine clothing, a girl who constantly wishes to better herself, to wipe the place society had written for herself and create a new one. She takes decisions, some good, some bad, but most of them so on the edge that it's hard to decide if they are good or bad. Despite her many flows, I found hard to blame this girl for anything after all. Even at the end, at the big scene that comes as a big shock (I don't want to say more because of spoilers), there was a part of be that understood her. Others might not. And this is what makes this book so great. The same scene can get different responses from different writer. A single scene is enough to create discussions that would last for hours.
I enjoyed this book. I can't say what I like the most about this book. Was it its subject? Or was it the style of writing? A combination of both? Hard to say. One thing I can say for sure. Emma Donoghue is a great writer and this was not the last book of her I will read.
taygivs's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't a particularly fast-paced or action packed book, but I love this time period and I've read far too many of Goodreads "most popular books on prostitution" list. Sex work is real work and i'm forever enchanted with the stories of women.
I will say that I picked up on some weird, morality issues/value based judgements in this second reading that were a bit offputting. Still this is one of my favorite books of all time and I'm certain that i'll visit it again.
I will say that I picked up on some weird, morality issues/value based judgements in this second reading that were a bit offputting. Still this is one of my favorite books of all time and I'm certain that i'll visit it again.
holly_ey's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
irurian's review against another edition
5.0
I've read a lot of stories set in the 18th century. While some have dealt with the role of women in society, they have always focused on the upper class. Well, why wouldn't they? There's more freedom to be had there, without the constraint of money or station. It's far more glamorous to read about higher society.
Slammerkin offers a more unique perspective. Mary Saunders is trapped in poverty, with no chance of escaping. Her ambitions aren't enough to free her. I actually found it refreshingly realistic.
The women were the stars of the story. From Mary's downfall, to Abi's realisation of how she was perceived by the Joneses, Donoghue masterfully highlighted the individual struggles women faced in that society.
The prose was also excellent and engaging. I felt immersed in the story until the end.
Overall, an absolutely brilliant read. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
Slammerkin offers a more unique perspective. Mary Saunders is trapped in poverty, with no chance of escaping. Her ambitions aren't enough to free her. I actually found it refreshingly realistic.
The women were the stars of the story. From Mary's downfall, to Abi's realisation of how she was perceived by the Joneses, Donoghue masterfully highlighted the individual struggles women faced in that society.
The prose was also excellent and engaging. I felt immersed in the story until the end.
Overall, an absolutely brilliant read. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
in_emmas_library's review against another edition
3.0
This took me ages to read because I had COVID and the chapters are really long. Like 70 pages long which made it hard to pick up.
Slammerkin is inspired by the true story of Mary Saunders who is very driven by her desire to rise above her station no matter the cost. We follow her through the streets of London as a prostitute to a small town in whales as a maid. The whole book is very dark and gritty and really shows how grim life was for working class people in the 1700's. Mary didn't treat people very well but no one treated her well so it made sense why she was the way she was.
I liked that the snippets of other people's stories too like Abi - a slave finally realising that she can have freedom. And Mrs Jones - a woman struggling with her fertility and just trying to make a good life for her and her family. The ending was not what I expected but really shows how bad life was for people back then.
Slammerkin is inspired by the true story of Mary Saunders who is very driven by her desire to rise above her station no matter the cost. We follow her through the streets of London as a prostitute to a small town in whales as a maid. The whole book is very dark and gritty and really shows how grim life was for working class people in the 1700's. Mary didn't treat people very well but no one treated her well so it made sense why she was the way she was.
I liked that the snippets of other people's stories too like Abi - a slave finally realising that she can have freedom. And Mrs Jones - a woman struggling with her fertility and just trying to make a good life for her and her family. The ending was not what I expected but really shows how bad life was for people back then.
lgiegerich's review against another edition
2.0
I thought Room was good, but this book was one big wtf. What was the point???