THE NIGHT FLOWER.

THE NIGHT FLOWER by SARAH STOVELL.

Set sail on an epic voyage from the slums of London to Van Diemen's Land.

 Miriam is a Romany girl drawn from freedom in the hills of the North-East to London. When her mother dies she's left all alone in the world, until she meets Katie-May, who seems to be a friend, but leads her into danger.

Rose has been brought up to expect more from her life, but she too finds herself suddenly alone, separated from her children and forced to take a governess's job. She also takes a risk that has devastating consequences.

As the two young women face a terrible future sentenced to transportation, their paths cross and their fates collide. Can they - should they - trust each other.
.... Press Release.

SOURCE: NEWBOOKS magazine.

FIRST SENTENCE:  Sorry, an Advanced Reading Copy, not due for release until the 15th of August 2013, I have been asked not to quote. PW

MEMORABLE MOMENT: As above.

MY THOUGHTS: Essentially the story of two very different individuals, Miriam, a young Romany girl and Rose, a disgraced mother and governess, who, both convicts, are transported from Victorian London to Van Dieman's Land 
where they find themselves working side by side in a nursery for the babies of fellow convicts.

A memorable if not exactly comfortable read. The Night Flower is a wonderfully moving story of stigma, prejudice and self-righteous 'Christian' rehabilitation that is as hypocritical as it is barbaric. 

Written in several different formats, diary entries and correspondence home amongst them, the story is largely narrated in the first person by both Miriam and Rose. And OK so it may well have contained some adult content, both violent and, in particular, sexual, that I personally found a bit of a challenge but, thankfully not overused, this, like the differing writing styles, only added to the realistic nature of the novel.  

Disclaimer: An Uncorrected Proof copy read and reviewed on behalf of NEWBOOKS magazine, I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
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