Born to rough cloth in Hogarth's London, but longing for silk, Mary Saunders's eye for a shiny red ribbon leads her to prostitution at a young age. A dangerous misstep sends her fleeing to Monmouth, and the position of household seamstress, the ordinary life of an ordinary girl with no expectations. But Mary has known freedom, and having never known love, it is freedom that motivates her. Mary asks herself if the prostitute who hires out her body is more or less free than the "honest woman" locked into marriage, or the servant who runs a household not her own? And is either as free as a man? Ultimately, Mary remains true only to the three rules she learned on the streets: Never give up your liberty. Clothes make the woman. Clothes are the greatest lie ever told.

Sourced, registered and reserved for a wishlist tag.

Sourced from Better World Books as a wishlist tag for Edwardstreet.
Not sure exactly where it was released from, but it's heading off to New Zealand.
Enjoy!

Delighted to receive this wishlist book. THANK YOU.

Wonderful, hugely evocative, I could smell London- taking to Wellington BC meetup

Caught in Wellington City at One Red Dog while meeting with Wellington Bookcrossers.

I very much enjoyed this author's "Room" and now this one comes highly recommended so couldn't resist it although I have been concentrating on releasing rather than accumulating.

We'll see.

Was delighted to learn that this book was based on a true story.
As 'Elle' wrote when reviewing:-
"Donaghue uses both the colour of the period and its literacy devices to create rich, complex, and remarkably powerful story...Superb...A novel of real force, filled with unforgetable sights...A profoundly and entertaining and intelligent book."

I really enjoyed this while emphasizing with Mary. So very glad I read this.

Thanks to crimson-tide who started this book on its travels and Edwardstreet for continuing.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTE

Was delighted to find leahjett with this book on her wishlist. I do like sending to people who wish to read it - should almost have arrived in the South Island by the time I write this note.

Merci! I've just starting reading this (onto the second chapter) and I am entranced. Thank you so much for sending, you have no idea how much I appreciate it. Will write more once read. (":

Hmm, this book was good and fairly pretty but I couldn't love it as much as I assumed. For some reason I thought this book was LGBT haha, so I was perpetually waiting for it. It isn't a book that I can re-read again and again so it will be travelling soon I imagine! Thank you for the opportunity to cross this off my wishlist (:

This book raises your eyes to the issues of femininity, women's rights, sex workers rights, the power of men in the 18th century, the issue of racism and the allure of clothes. I love fashion so I can most definitely relate to how Mary felt when she first worked for that red ribbon.

The character I liked the most was Abi. I wish more of her story was developed. I couldn't like Mary. Characters may be 'bad' and have flaws but we need to know why. Sure she's had a hard life but you're always wondering if what she says is honestly crying or she is simply faking tears. I don't know, I found none of her qualities redeeming.

Sent this away as a wishlist trade to the UK (:

Thank you so much for sending this wish list book to me. Will get the return parcel on the way as soon as I can. Apologies for the delay in journalling, I have just returned from holiday :)

Historically a really interesting read but in many ways I’m not really sure how I felt about this book. There were times I could barely bring myself to pick it up, it was so bleak and depressing. However I really liked the writing style, and I enjoyed the characters even if I didn’t like them much. On the whole an intriguing story which I am glad I read. I will have to look for something a little more lighthearted to follow it though.

Thanks to everyone for sharing and my apologies for taking so long to read it. This will be travelling again soon.

Releasing at the Leicester meet up.

Picked up at today's meet u[. I enjoyed "Room" by this author and have wanted to read "Slammerkin" too so I took this copy off a fellow bookcrosser's hands.