The Low Road

Name: The Low Road
Brand: Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand
SKU: 9781800182394
Price: 44.99 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Katharine Quarmby

0.0 (0 reviews)

4.23

( 86 ratings, 45 reviews)

Summary

Set in 1828, The Low Road follows two young women torn apart by their transportation to Botany Bay. After the tragic death of her mother, Hannah Tyrell is sent to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, where she meets Annie Simpkins. Their friendship blossoms into a passionate love, only to be shattered when they are caught stealing and subsequently shipped away. Based on a true story, this historical fiction explores the harsh realities faced by Britain’s female convicts, revealing a gritty, moving tale of survival, love, and resilience in the face of prejudice.
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Format: Hardback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers who appreciate historical fiction grounded in real events, with a focus on working-class stories and LGBTQ+ themes. The Low Road will especially resonate with those interested in British convict history, women’s experiences in the 19th century, and poignant tales of forbidden love.

Description

In 1828, two young women were torn apart as they were sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay. Will they ever meet again?

Norfolk, 1813. In the quiet Waveney Valley, the body of a woman, Mary Tyrell, is staked through the heart after her death by suicide. She had been under arrest for the suspected murder of her newborn child. Mary leaves behind a young daughter, Hannah, who is later sent away to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, where she will be trained for a life of domestic service.

It is at the Refuge that Hannah meets Annie Simpkins, a fellow resident, and together they forge a friendship that deepens into fiery love. But the strength of this bond is put to the test when the girls are caught stealing from the Refuge's laundry, which leads to them being sent to Botany Bay, setting them on separate paths that may never cross again.

Based on a true story, The Low Road is a gripping, atmospheric tale that brings to life the hidden working-class voices of the past. It is the untold origin story of Britain's female convicts. But it is also a survival story, and a moving evocation of love that blossomed in the face of prejudice and ill fortune. A bleak, brutal, yet tender tale.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Winner of the silver medal for Historical Women’s Fiction 2023 and an honourable mention for Historical Romance 2023 from the Coffee Pot Book Club. The Low Road has been praised for its empathetic storytelling and vivid historical detail. Katherine Mezzacapa of the Historical Novel Society calls it a tough but compelling read due to its true-event basis. The Beauty and Lace Book Club highlights its immersive, credible depiction of 19th-century hardship, while Maggie Gee describes it as a darkly gripping tale of cruelty, courage, and kindness.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800182394

Publisher: Boundless Publishing Group Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 June 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Unbound

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 141.0mm

Height: 222.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 336

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Katharine Quarmby

About the Author

Katharine Quarmby has written non-fiction, short stories and books for children. This is her first novel. She has worked as a senior editor at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Liberty Investigates and Disability Now, and as an associate editor for Newsweek and Prospect magazine. Katharine lives in London.