I loved Stacey Hall’s previous novels and have been looking forward to The Household. This historical novel is based in 1847 and has been very well researched which makes all the difference to the marvellous descriptions of Urania Cottage.
This is a home which has been established to help young ladies saved from from jails, workhouses and brothels. The refuge was the idea of Charles Dickens and financed by Angela Burkett-Coutts, the richest woman in London its aim being to teach the women basic housekeeping skills and prepare them for an new life in service overseas. The novel follows the lives of several of the rescued ladies which does make for quite a complicated story but it’s a compelling read keeping you wondering the fate of all the characters.
The novel covers many issues of relevance to more modern periods including sexual slavery.
An engrossing, thought provoking book which I thoroughly recommend.
This is a home which has been established to help young ladies saved from from jails, workhouses and brothels. The refuge was the idea of Charles Dickens and financed by Angela Burkett-Coutts, the richest woman in London its aim being to teach the women basic housekeeping skills and prepare them for an new life in service overseas. The novel follows the lives of several of the rescued ladies which does make for quite a complicated story but it’s a compelling read keeping you wondering the fate of all the characters.
The novel covers many issues of relevance to more modern periods including sexual slavery.
An engrossing, thought provoking book which I thoroughly recommend.