The Household in this book is based on Urania Cottage which was an experimental home for young ladies plucked from from jails, workhouses and brothels. Conceived by Charles Dickens and financed by Angela Burkett-Coutts, the richest woman in London, Urania Cottage was set up to teach the women basic housekeeping skills and prepare them for an eventual life in service overseas.
Stacey Halls has imagined several inmates for Urania House, the main one being Martha who is searching for her long lost sister, Emily. The poverty and cruelty of the times are contrasted with the affluent life of the kindly patroness, Angie, who has her own demons to conquer. The storyline is confined by the historical facts but still provides an interesting read.
There are lots of comparisons to be made with modern issues such as sexual slavery, gaslighting, stalkers and social justice.
Perhaps not my favourite Stacey Halls book to date but another clever and thought provoking read.
Stacey Halls has imagined several inmates for Urania House, the main one being Martha who is searching for her long lost sister, Emily. The poverty and cruelty of the times are contrasted with the affluent life of the kindly patroness, Angie, who has her own demons to conquer. The storyline is confined by the historical facts but still provides an interesting read.
There are lots of comparisons to be made with modern issues such as sexual slavery, gaslighting, stalkers and social justice.
Perhaps not my favourite Stacey Halls book to date but another clever and thought provoking read.