The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

 British Empire over the period of 80 years, 1788-1868, exiled more than 160,000 criminals to the penal colonies in Australia. The majority of convicts were transported for petty crimes. Approximately 1 in 7 convicts were women, which had an extremely tough life in Australia. “The guards who were volunteers seemed to be driven by exceptional sadism.”

Flinders Island, Australia, 1840. Mathinna (true character), eight-years-old, despite being a daughter of the chieftain, has been growing up living with a white teacher, learning English and adhering to British customs. “Her people had been exiled” to the Island of Flinders. Now, orphaned, she is taken to the governor’s house and is supposed to be taken to England with them.

London, 1840. Evangeline, governess, is accused of stealing a ring. Educated above her station, but not exposed to the world, which she learns the hard way. She is being sent to the penal colony in Australia to serve her sentence of fourteen years.

On a ship bound for Australia, Evangeline strikes a relationship with a sixteen-year-old Hazel of Scottish origin. Hazel’s poverty situation pushed her to stealing. At which she didn’t turn out to be skillful. Thus, ending up on a ship full of convicts. Hazel has knowledge of herbs and midwifery. Now, she brings her good skills into play.

The story beautifully weaves the sad history of the Palawa – the Aboriginal Tasmanians. Most of them were killed by British colonial power. And the remaining few were “forced into stiff British clothes” and made to “listen to sermons about a hell…”

It also brings a very sad part of brutal treatment of women convicts. Some convicts were employed by those who “drank, worked them to the bone, beat them.” Some got pregnant with babies they didn’t ask for.

Highly engrossing story from the very first pages. Interesting descriptions and dialogue constantly carry the story forward. With remarkable characters you deeply care for.

Release date: 25 August 2020

Publisher: Custom House