Thursday, October 16, 2008

*headdesk*

Oh, I was going to do better this time about writing and reading and, oh, I don't know, posting, and yet...

At least I've been reading. Currently it's The Floating Brothel by Sian Rees, a nonfiction account of 18th century women prisoners who were shipped off to Australia in an attempt to a) help colonize the country and b) reduce the nation's expenses. I'm about half way through it and I'm in turns fascinated by these women's lives and completely horrified by what was considered "normal" by the sailors--and other men--who were in charge of these women's lives. Seriously, the hypocrisy is enough to make me want to slap someone, but of course they're all long dead.

5 comments:

Danielle said...

I really want to read this as well and have it on my pile. I suspect I am going to find it beyond disconcerting how these women were treated, but I still think it sounds fascinating!

Heather said...

If I remember correctly, it was from reading your post that I decided to read this book. It really is interesting, if a bit dry at times; I think you'll like it.

Marg said...

I don't recall hearing about this book before, but it does sound interesting!

Heather said...

I think you'd like it; it's very interesting and I think I might have to look some of these women up after I finish it. The book hints that some of the women convicts end up being founding women, etc., in Australia.

Marg said...

That was certainly true of many male convicts so there is no reason to think that it wouldn't be true of the women as well.