The link below is to a book review of ,TransAtlantic, by Colum McCann.
For more visit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jun/01/transatlantic-colum-mccann-review
Tag Archives: book review
Not My Review: The Metaphysical Confederacy – James Henley Thornwell and the Synthesis of Southern Values, by James O. Farmer Jnr
The link below is to a book review of ‘The Metaphysical Confederacy – James Henley Thornwell and the Synthesis of Southern Values,’ by James O. Farmer Jnr.
For more visit:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2013/05/31/book-bits-the-metaphysical-confederacy/
Do Book Critics Need a Code of Ethics?
Not My Review: The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook
The link below is to a book review of ‘The Aftermath,’ by Rhidian Brook.
For more visit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/31/aftermath-rhidian-brook-review
Not My Review: The Sea Inside by Philip Hoare
The link below is to a book review of ‘The Sea Inside’ by Philip Hoare.
For more visit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/30/sea-inside-philip-hoare-review
Not My Review: The Outsider – My Autobiography, by Jimmy Connors.
The link below is to a book review of ‘The Outsider – My Autobiography,’ by Jimmy Connors.
For more visit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/27/jimmy-connors-outsider-autobiography-review
Book Review: The Tin Ticket – The Heroic Journey of Australia’s Convict Women, by Deborah J. Swiss
Chapter 4: Sweet Sixteen
Having introduced Elizabeth Fry to the narrative in the previous chapter, chapter 4 sees the paths of Agnes McMillan and Janet Houston cross with that of Elizabeth Fry. It is a crossing of paths that lifts the quality of life that would otherwise have been for the two young convicts as they arrive at Newgate Prison and then prepare for their departure to Van Dieman’s Land aboard the Westmoreland at anchor in the Thames at Woolwich. The conditions in which the the two young girls find themselves in both places having been ameliorated through the constant and industrious efforts of Elizabeth Fry and the Quakers.
It is in this chapter that the reasoning behind the title of the book becomes apparent, as Agnes McMillan is issued with a Tin Ticket with #253 stamped onto it. Her friend Janet was issued a tin ticket with #284 stamped onto it. These two numbers identified the two girls aboard the ship and they accompanied them in everything that they did and in everything that was recorded regarding them on the way to the Cascades Female Factory in Van Dieman’s Land.
With the full compliment of convicts, the Westmoreland weighed anchor in the early hours of the morning of August 12, 1836. Sailing down the Thames and through the Channel, the Westmoreland, her crew and convict cargo were on their way to Van Dieman’s Land. The remainder of the chapter provides a description of the journey to Hobart Town in Van Dieman’s Land, complete with a colourful description of life aboard a prison hulk in its journey to the other side of the world. The chapter ends as the Westmoreland arrives at Hobart Town on December 3, 1836 and the beginning of a new life beckoning in the penal colony of Van Dieman’s Land.
Buy this book at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043RSIWI/
Not My Review: And the Mountains Echoed, by Khaled Hosseini
The link below is to a book review of ‘And the Mountains Echoed,’ by Khaled Hosseini.
For more visit:
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/books/20235801-421/review-and-the-mountains-echoed-by-khaled-hosseini.html
Not My Review: Last Friends, by Jane Gardam
The link below is to a book review of ‘Last Friends,’ by Jane Gardam.
Book Review: The Tin Ticket – The Heroic Journey of Australia’s Convict Women, by Deborah J. Swiss
Chapter 3: The Angel of Newgate
Chapter 3 is something of a departure from the main narrative of The Tin Ticket to this point, however the new character introduced into the plot plays an important role in the further development and future of the lives of both Agnes McMillan and Janet Houston, who were to be sent to Van Dieman’s Land (now Tasmania). Their destiny was a direct consequence of the activities of this new player in The Tin Ticket – Elizabeth Fry.
‘The Angel of Newgate’ tells the story of how Elizabeth Fry, a Quaker, was determined to minister to the poor of London and the destitute women of Newgate Prison. Elizabeth Fry and her generous assistants and helpers, transformed the lives of the incarcerated women of Newgate Prison. These poor women, poor in more ways than one, passed their days in terrible conditions at Newgate. The description given in The Tin Ticket is heart-wrenching stuff. Elizabeth Fry most certainly moved outside of her comfort zone to minister to these desperate women and offer compassion to those that society had cast aside. What a remarkable woman, who was not afraid to face ridicule in her efforts to ameliorate the condition of the female and young prisoners of Newgate.
Chapter 3 of The Tin Ticket continues to paint a most depressing picture of society in early 19th century England and London in particular. The dreadful reality of life in the early industrial age of Great Britain is presented front and center in this chapter. Yet it is the deplorable attitude of those that held the power and the better places in society that truly mark out this period in the history of Great Britain as one of the most disgraceful. It is only the rare examples of compassion, godliness and humanity as shown in Elizabeth Fry and others of her ilk, that mitigate this period of English history. One cannot imagine the plight of female and young convicts of this era if there had been no social conscience within society at that time.
Buy this book at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043RSIWI/
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