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Sarah Evans
London, 1798. Born into poverty, illiterate, eighteen-year-old Sarah Evans has been raised to believe she has no rights at all. She and her childhood friend, Lucy Burnes, struggle daily to find food and shelter, drawing strength and comfort from their friendship.
When she is falsely accused and found guilty of theft, Sarah is sentenced to transportation,but, instead, she is secretly transferred to ColdbathFields, one of London's most notorious prisons, at the request its sadistic governor, Thomas Aris. Placed in his household, she becomes entangled in a web of sexual exploitation, crueltyand corruption, where powerful men rule and the law disregards women.
When Sarah is presented with an opportunity to regain her freedom, she seizes it. But even beyond the prison walls, she discovers she cannot escape Aris's control over herself and her children.
She can no longer turn to Lucy for support - her friend is a convict in New South Wales, her life's journey taking her down a path as hopeful as Sarah's is desperate. Instead, she finds kindness and protection among the network of women who, like her, are struggling to avoid starvation on the pitiless streets of London. At the lowest point of her life - accused of murder and facing the death penalty - these strong women don'tlet her down.
And Sarah is a force in her own right. Drawn into a circle of political rebels, she is introduced to the concepts of justice and equality. Despite the brutal challenges that life throws at her, she learns her own value and begins to fight for her rights.
In the end, it is the power of thoughts and words that shapes Sarah Evans's life, not the hardship she has known. And it is friendship that teaches her the most important kind of liberty of mind.
When she is falsely accused and found guilty of theft, Sarah is sentenced to transportation,but, instead, she is secretly transferred to ColdbathFields, one of London's most notorious prisons, at the request its sadistic governor, Thomas Aris. Placed in his household, she becomes entangled in a web of sexual exploitation, crueltyand corruption, where powerful men rule and the law disregards women.
When Sarah is presented with an opportunity to regain her freedom, she seizes it. But even beyond the prison walls, she discovers she cannot escape Aris's control over herself and her children.
She can no longer turn to Lucy for support - her friend is a convict in New South Wales, her life's journey taking her down a path as hopeful as Sarah's is desperate. Instead, she finds kindness and protection among the network of women who, like her, are struggling to avoid starvation on the pitiless streets of London. At the lowest point of her life - accused of murder and facing the death penalty - these strong women don'tlet her down.
And Sarah is a force in her own right. Drawn into a circle of political rebels, she is introduced to the concepts of justice and equality. Despite the brutal challenges that life throws at her, she learns her own value and begins to fight for her rights.
In the end, it is the power of thoughts and words that shapes Sarah Evans's life, not the hardship she has known. And it is friendship that teaches her the most important kind of liberty of mind.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 10, 2024
All of my book friends know historical fiction is not usually my first choice, but when I do foray into times gone by, I love it when it strikes a chord. My goodness this book did just that.
I’m grateful to have the publisher send me this physical copy to read and review, thank you @echopublishing. The book is already en route to its next reader, a sure sign of success - I love the cyclical nature of a physical book's trajectory. To the author, oh my. I hope you are so proud of this story! I’m always in awe of how seamlessly a story is absorbed, I am aware of the blood, sweat and tears that goes on before it reaches my hand.
.. I wondered why God would make it so easy for men to build such a straight, honest looking thing to harbour all that’s crooked and dark and evil.
I am a Sydneysider, as the first few pages mention Windsor, and further progressing, Parramatta, this added an extra layer. I love envisioning the locales, and into Sarah Evan’s world I was completely transported. This was made possible by the exemplary work (and passion) in researching the facts of this real-life woman, the research into the proceedings of Sarah’s trial and visiting the areas in London where Bernice Barry laid out her story. The portrayal of societal norms of the times and the clarity of this time and place in my mind made possible with remarkable writing skill.
It is important to know that while this story does contain fact, the author has skillfully woven fiction into the narrative. Can historical fiction be a read full of heightened suspense, anticipation, and anxiety? Indeed, it can. This book was all of this and much more. I truly stayed up late to finish Sarah’s quest.
The contrast of beautiful maternal love and female kinship, and the bonds that tie us together by circumstance, to the tragic evil and appalling actions of those in positions of power to continually flaunt their evil was breathtaking. The generations produced by these dark men were pointed, characters crafted so magnificently that I was so entrenched in feeling the worst of the worst, I felt the depravity.
Ultimately this story of bravery, resilience and spirit overcame the negative feelings and horror which stirred inside of me, Sarah’s journey is inspiring, remarkable, and moving, just as the quality of this wonderful book. The author is a teacher, those who learn the craft from her are lucky ones indeed!
Perhaps it’s a foolish notion, but I think we leave something of ourselves behind us when we come and go, our memories left like peelings dropped by the wayside, dead skins of a day that’s done with.
I’m grateful to have the publisher send me this physical copy to read and review, thank you @echopublishing. The book is already en route to its next reader, a sure sign of success - I love the cyclical nature of a physical book's trajectory. To the author, oh my. I hope you are so proud of this story! I’m always in awe of how seamlessly a story is absorbed, I am aware of the blood, sweat and tears that goes on before it reaches my hand.
.. I wondered why God would make it so easy for men to build such a straight, honest looking thing to harbour all that’s crooked and dark and evil.
I am a Sydneysider, as the first few pages mention Windsor, and further progressing, Parramatta, this added an extra layer. I love envisioning the locales, and into Sarah Evan’s world I was completely transported. This was made possible by the exemplary work (and passion) in researching the facts of this real-life woman, the research into the proceedings of Sarah’s trial and visiting the areas in London where Bernice Barry laid out her story. The portrayal of societal norms of the times and the clarity of this time and place in my mind made possible with remarkable writing skill.
It is important to know that while this story does contain fact, the author has skillfully woven fiction into the narrative. Can historical fiction be a read full of heightened suspense, anticipation, and anxiety? Indeed, it can. This book was all of this and much more. I truly stayed up late to finish Sarah’s quest.
The contrast of beautiful maternal love and female kinship, and the bonds that tie us together by circumstance, to the tragic evil and appalling actions of those in positions of power to continually flaunt their evil was breathtaking. The generations produced by these dark men were pointed, characters crafted so magnificently that I was so entrenched in feeling the worst of the worst, I felt the depravity.
Ultimately this story of bravery, resilience and spirit overcame the negative feelings and horror which stirred inside of me, Sarah’s journey is inspiring, remarkable, and moving, just as the quality of this wonderful book. The author is a teacher, those who learn the craft from her are lucky ones indeed!
Perhaps it’s a foolish notion, but I think we leave something of ourselves behind us when we come and go, our memories left like peelings dropped by the wayside, dead skins of a day that’s done with.
August 29, 2024
Firstly, thanks again to @echo_publishing for reaching out to me and offering me a copy to read and review before the published date - this was an absolute pleasure to read.
This is a story is a Historical Fiction and based off of a true story. I was instantly drawn in by Sarah’s character and her life, which was full of hardship, injustice, horrific abuse and loss, but that also speaks to the strength of women, the lengths we will go to, to keep our children safe and fighting for freedom and equality.
Thomas Aris made me sick to my stomach with all that he put Sarah through and I was filled with so much anger at the corruption and ill treatment within the jail and court systems.
Bernice and her writing, along with her meticulous research, made for such a vivid and unforgettable story.
This book release’s on the 3rd of September and if you are a fan of 19th century history, historical fiction and women’s fiction you will not want to miss out on this.
This is a story is a Historical Fiction and based off of a true story. I was instantly drawn in by Sarah’s character and her life, which was full of hardship, injustice, horrific abuse and loss, but that also speaks to the strength of women, the lengths we will go to, to keep our children safe and fighting for freedom and equality.
Thomas Aris made me sick to my stomach with all that he put Sarah through and I was filled with so much anger at the corruption and ill treatment within the jail and court systems.
Bernice and her writing, along with her meticulous research, made for such a vivid and unforgettable story.
This book release’s on the 3rd of September and if you are a fan of 19th century history, historical fiction and women’s fiction you will not want to miss out on this.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews