The Exiles
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Mathinna is the daughter of the deceased chieftain of her tribe. When the British come to Australia, the orphan is adopted by the new governor and taken to a part of Australia where no one looks like her.
Evangeline Stokes is the daughter of a vicar working as a governess in London. She is wrongfully accused of stealing from her employer and is convicted and sent to Australia in 1840. She meets Hazel, the daughter of a Scottish midwife/herbalist, on the journey.
Hazel barters her remedies for items from the other passengers, and Evangeline teaches her to read on their journey to Australia. The ship surgeon begins to trust Hazel's knowledge of midwifery and herbs and allows her to assist with his patients. Upon her arrival in Australia, she begins to work as a lady's maid in the governor's house, where she crosses paths with Mathinna.
Ruby is Evangeline's daughter, born on the Madea during Evangeline's journey to Australia. Her story takes place 28 years later when she returns to London.
Christina Baker Kline creates a powerful story about women whose voices will not be heard by those around them. Mathinna's voice is silenced because of her race, Evangeline's at first because she is not high-born and then because she is a convict, and Hazel because the surgeon does not trust a woman to be as knowledgeable as he is. Caroline Lee is a great narrator, using an Australian accent to read the story but also nailing the Cockney accent of the English women in Newgate prison. Hazel's Scottish accent seems a little off to me though, but I'm admittedly not as familiar with regional differences so it may be a nod to a Glasgow accent.
The story is heartbreaking at times, with characters suffering misfortunes and feeling tragedy keenly. There were moments when I had the feeling of watching a horror movie -- I wanted to yell at the characters "No! Stop! Don't do that!" just like you would when the girl runs to the roof instead of escaping the house. This is a credit to the author, who is able to build up a sense of foreboding before a tragedy is about to strike.
Mathinna is talked about as if she is an object or an animal, with the English being surprised she can speak, dance, and comprehend what they say. I feel the worst for her, as she is asked to perform like a circus animal and has no friends. Hazel's arrival helps her, as Hazel treats Mathinna as an equal. Mathinna's story feels incomplete; I wish there was more about her.
Evangeline, Hazel, and Ruby's stories all intertwine and feel more fleshed out and complete compared to Mathinna. Each woman's story has an ending that doesn't leave the reader wanting more.
This book is perfect for historical fiction fans. Readers who love family sagas and Australian stories will also find something to love here.
Christina Baker Kline is the author of several popular book club novels including Orphan Train and A Piece of the World. She holds master's degrees from Cambridge and the University of Virginia. She divides her time between New York City and Maine.
Publisher: Harper Audio (HarperCollins)
Narrator: Caroline Lee
Running Time: 10 hours, 18 minutes
Release Date: August 25, 2020
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I received an electronic audio recording ARC of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.