The memsahibs : the women of Victorian India

Memsahibs: The Women of Victorian India (Century Travellers) by Pat Barr

Not sure what I think of this book. It's interesting to read of the lives of these Victorian women who travelled out to India to be with their husbands, brothers and so on. The book tells of the strength and determination of some of these remarkable women - surviving in an alien environment, adjusting to a new culture and way of life, experiencing war etc.

However, while the book also suggests that many of these women were spoiled, used to being waited on hand and foot, it does not tackle the issues of race and British colonisation of India, which I think should have been included.

Despite this, it's worth a read, and taught me a lot about mid 19th century British rule in India.

Part of the History Reading Challenge
Finished 16 June 08

Bound Feet and Western Dress

Bound Feet and Western Dress by Pang-Mei Natasha Chang

A lovely book written by Pang-Mei.

The book recollects her life as a modern Chinese woman living in the USA, while also telling the story of her Great Aunt Yu-i living in China and later Europe at the beginning of the 20th century.
The contrast and similarities between their lives is beautifully told.

Finished 12th May 08

Eating Fire, Tasting Blood - Marijo Moore

Eating Fire, Tasting Blood by Marijo Moore.

An interesting collection of essays and poems by Native Americans, reflecting on their history, persecution and survival. Heartbreaking stories, stories to make you angry, stories of hope. A very enlightening and interesting read.


Read as part of the Back to History Challenge
Finished 29/04/08

Back To History Reading Challenge

Yet another challenge - I must stop browsing blogs!

The Back to History Reading Challenge

(This isn't the official button, but one I made as I wanted a female one)

The Rules are:
* Read 12 books in 12 months
* Break out of your "safety zone"
* January 1 - December 31, 2008

I've started this challenge late, but some of the books I've already read this year will count towards this challenge
Here's my list:
1. Belinda by Maria Edgeworth (classic) finished January
2. The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Pennay (historical thriller 19c.) finished March
3. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (classic literature) Finished March
4. Eating Fire, Tasting Blood: an anthology ofthe American Indian Holocaust (Native American History) finished 29 April
5. Bound Feet and Western Dress by Pang-Mei Natasha Chang (Chinese History / Memoir)
6. The memsahibs : the women of Victorian India by Pat Barr (Indian history).
7. Welsh convict women : a study of women transported from Wales to Australia, 1787-1852 by Deirdre Beddoe. (Welsh history)
8. The Darkened Room: Women, Power, and Spiritualism in Late Victorian England by Alex Owen (Victorian spirituality)
9. Artemisia: The Story of a Battle for Greatness by Alexandra Lapierre (Art History)
10. Margaret Pole, 1473-1541: Loyalty, Lineage and Leadership by Hazel Pierce (Tudor biography)
11. Nuns: A History of Convent Life 1450-1700 by Silvia Evangelisti (Religious history)
12. A Gentlewoman in Upper Canada - ed by H.H. Langton ( journal)

Tenderness of Wolves - Stef Penney

The Tenderness of Wolves - Stef Penney

I loved this book.
I was original, well written, and kept you hooked right to the end.
Set in Canada in 1867, the novel follows a variety of frontier characters as they try to solve a murder in a snow filled landscape.
The novel explores the characters pasts and their current lives, as the plot unfolds.
It is a beautifully written book, which I highly recommend.

Finished 26/03/08