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Slammerkin Paperback – May 1, 2002

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,855 ratings

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From Emma Donoghue, the national bestselling author of Room, Slammerkin is "[a] colorful romp of a novel" (The New York Times Book Review) following one woman's journey of self-discovery and survival at the dawn of the industrial revolution in eighteenth century England.

Slammerkin: A loose gown; a loose woman.

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.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

‘What a great read this book is: Think Forever Amber skewed with an elegant noir twist and informed by a high literary intelligence. … This absorbing, bawdy novel gives new meaning to the term costume drama. By all means, try it on for size.’ — Washington Post

‘Emma Donoghue’s heady, colorful romp of a novel [is] almost impossible to resist.’ — New York Times Book Review

‘Absorbing, moving and intelligent… her writing is suffused with sensuality and sharp emotion.’ — Times Literary Supplement

‘A rock-solid novel of class conflict and desire.’ — Now

‘Donoghue has made of an ‘obscure and brutal story’ a compelling novel, her best to date, and a brilliant historical variant on the ‘girl about town’ novels that currently fill the bookshops.’ — Financial Times

About the Author

Born in Ireland, national bestselling author EMMA DONOGHUE spent many years in England and now lives in Canada. Her books include Room (basis for the Oscar-nominated film), Slammerkin, and The Pull of the Stars. Her novels have been translated into eight languages.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harcourt; First Edition (May 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 390 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0156007479
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0156007474
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1 x 5.25 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,855 ratings

About the author

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Emma Donoghue
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Born in Dublin in 1969, Emma Donoghue is a writer of contemporary and historical fiction whose novels include the international bestseller "Room" (her screen adaptation was nominated for four Oscars), "Frog Music", "Slammerkin," "The Sealed Letter," "Landing," "Life Mask," "Hood," and "Stirfry." Her story collections are "Astray", "The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits," "Kissing the Witch," and "Touchy Subjects." She also writes literary history, and plays for stage and radio. She lives in London, Ontario, with her partner and their two children.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
1,855 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story compelling and well-researched. The book is described as a great read with powerful writing and vivid visuals. They appreciate the thoughtful content regarding class and gender oppression, providing a realistic glimpse of life for women during the 1700s in London. However, some readers felt the pacing was unsatisfying and disturbing.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

85 customers mention "Story quality"65 positive20 negative

Customers find the story fascinating and well-researched. They appreciate the believable account of the period and the author's unique descriptions and characters. The book is described as important and talented historical fiction literature.

"...Donoghue’s unique descriptions and complex characters make for a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking read." Read more

"...I tend to enjoy well-researched historical fiction that makes you feel like you are living in the period in which it is set...." Read more

"...novel and an extremely hard book to put down is that it is about the real truth. It is about the hard and limited lives of women in the 18th century...." Read more

"Couldn't put the book down till I finished. Great story; the book is a work of fiction, inspired by true facts, from the life of Mary Saunders...." Read more

48 customers mention "Readability"48 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and memorable. They describe it as a long, well-written read that is not too challenging. Readers mention it's an enjoyable story that reminds them of Moll Flanders.

"...unique descriptions and complex characters make for a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking read." Read more

"...the way: the Kindle price is very reasonable, and this is an excellent Kindle version...." Read more

"...What makes Slammerkin an incredible novel and an extremely hard book to put down is that it is about the real truth...." Read more

"...Though this was clearly one of the best books I've read in a while, I gave this 4 stars simply because the tragic downfall and end of this girl..." Read more

32 customers mention "Writing quality"24 positive8 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book engaging and well-written. They praise the author's skill in describing details in unique, particular, and beautiful ways. The book is described as easy to read and not complicated with many characters.

"...Donoghue excels in explaining details in unique, particular, and beautiful ways...." Read more

"...Emma Donoghue did a wonderful job writing her book; the overall story was beautifully laid out like a fresh fish; exquisitely slit to showcase the..." Read more

"...But that isn't what sets this book apart. The author's talent shines with her attention to historical detail as well as her literary skill...." Read more

"...Barring the subject matter, it read like a young adult book, in terms of writing style...." Read more

8 customers mention "Visual quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the characters beautifully defined, the story graphic with contrasts, and the author does a wonderful job of painting this historical tale based on a real person.

"...Donoghue excels in explaining details in unique, particular, and beautiful ways...." Read more

"...; the overall story was beautifully laid out like a fresh fish; exquisitely slit to showcase the freshness and the color, without hiding the..." Read more

"...Besides the characters, the world Donoghue transports us to is wonderfully painted, and again is built of contrasts...." Read more

"...and fleshed out the characters so that they are beautifully (and frighteningly) defined to make sense in modern terms and in their..." Read more

6 customers mention "Feminist content"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoughtful and realistic about women's lives during the 1700s in London. They say it explores class and gender oppression, and reminds them of the unfairness of life.

"...It's very thoughtful regarding class and gender oppression and explores the question of fate v. personal agency/responsibility, yet it's never..." Read more

"Because they all have a social agenda. This book was not trashy, nor feminist, nor male bashing...." Read more

"...This n o vel tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us of the unfairness of life and how cruel it can be without kindness...." Read more

"...true story, this book paints a picture of the lives and prospects of poor women in its times. Interesting social history woven into an engaging story." Read more

42 customers mention "Character development"23 positive19 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find the characters well-developed and human, with a unique storyline. Others feel the characters lack depth and connection.

"...Donoghue’s unique descriptions and complex characters make for a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking read." Read more

"...Mary and Dot aren't particularly likable, yet I found myself engaged in their world and their fate, and as the story progressed I found myself..." Read more

"...Only with women of the town". I found Mary to be a very likable character at first, which most sociopaths are...." Read more

"...However, all of the male characters are one-dimensional simpletons...." Read more

16 customers mention "Interest"5 positive11 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some found it engaging and easy to empathize with the main characters. Others felt it was boring, lackluster, and crude. The characters were not likable for some readers. Overall, the book did not hold their attention and did not enrich their lives in any way.

"...was a vast and rather intriguing group of characters, but none of them were likeable...." Read more

"...The reason I gave it only four stars is that at times it is a little boring and certain sections are a bit hard to follow-- however, this could be..." Read more

"...Overall, I found this book to be a fascinating and engaging, if not a challenging read." Read more

"...do that" This is England in the 17th century and it is not a pretty picture, poverty, lack of compassion and being a female and brutalized Mary..." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive7 negative

Customers find the pacing slow and the story depressing. They find the characters unlikable and lack compassion. The writing is excellent but lacks a positive message.

"...From that first entrance into her lifestyle, I had no sympathy for her station, especially as she continued to make extremely poor choices..." Read more

"...in the 17th century and it is not a pretty picture, poverty, lack of compassion and being a female and brutalized Mary takes a path to destruction...." Read more

"...There were no redeeming qualities about this girl. I did read Slammerkin through to the end. Ms. Donohue can definitely tell a disturbing story...." Read more

"...The parts about collar day (hanging day) were extremely depressing and gross...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2018
    Slammerkin tells the story of teenaged Mary Saunders in 18th century London, who resorts to a life of selling her body in an effort to move past her working class, poverty stricken upbringing. The first thing I want to say is that Emma Donoghue is such a talented writer. I hadn’t read anything by her beforehand, but most will know her from Room. Donoghue excels in explaining details in unique, particular, and beautiful ways. I didn’t find any of the same old tired turning of phrases or plot points in this book. I had an idea of what Slammerkin would be about, and then it took me to a place I actually did not expect. If you’re a fan of the Hulu show Harlots, you’ll love Act 1 of this book as Mary learns the ropes of London whoring from Doll, the carpe diem-rough around the edges-boozing-beautiful in her own way-lady of the night. Mary not only lives with Doll, but looks to the older girl (about 10 years older, I think) as a role model. The intriguing thing about Mary throughout this book is that she doesn’t necessarily have strict ideas about what is good and what is evil, she simply does in order to get something or improve her lot in life. For example, it is seeing Doll with colorful clothing and a glossy red ribbon in her hair that “inspires” Mary to leave her poverty stricken existence behind. Mary sees the toil of her mother–making next to nothing doing little sewing jobs and knows that if she doesn’t do something drastically different, that that empty existence will be her fate. What’s interesting is that Mary chooses this life as a means to elevate her quality of life, and despite its harshness the reader can’t necessarily blame her for it given the miserable alternative. Young though she is, Mary owns her new life as a doxy and even seems to take pride in it.

    It’s not until a series of unfortunate events that Mary flees London for her native Monmouth, on the Welsh border. It is here that Mary takes up employment with the Jones family–Mrs. Jones having been a childhood friend of Mary’s mother. Mary presents herself as an innocent charity case to the Jones family, fabricating a story of her being orphaned with no where else to turn.

    Although she chafes against small town life at first, Mary comes to find comfort in the “family” she’s ingratiated herself with. Mr. Jones, the one-legged stay maker, Mrs. Jones, the dressmaker, Hetta, their daughter, and Abi the household “maid of all work” aka slave. I found the tenuous friendship between Abi and Mary interesting in that Abi was understandably standoffish at first, while Mary was interested in and quite forward about learning Abi’s origins. Mary very much acts like both a girl of her time and a girl of her age in regards to Abi’s plight. She encourages Abi to run away, yet is unwilling to lend her any money to do so. Although she is not in the book at this point, Doll is ever the influence on Mary–her voice chiming in like a devil on her shoulder, “every girl for herself!” But for all her roughness, Doll very much acted the older sister to Mary.

    Mary continually makes choices that will surprise and confound the reader, yet at the same time Donoghue writes her story in such a way that we understand her and root for her. Mary isn’t exactly likable, but she is complex and compelling in her actions. It is she who pushes the plot forward, not the other way around, which makes Slammerkin very much character-driven. The story of Mary Saunders comes from real life events, which I found very interesting. It reminded me of both Alias Grace (the book and the historical figure) and 18th century moral tales a la Pamela (but gone wrong in the end.) Slammerkin makes us examine the thought that maybe not every action has a profound reasoning behind it, and that maybe there is more gray in life than we’d care to admit.

    Donoghue’s unique descriptions and complex characters make for a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking read.
    38 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2010
    It's an interesting coincidence that I read "Slammerkin" shortly after "The Sociopath Next Door", that fascinating study of the 4% of individuals who simply do not have a conscience and who lie, cheat and take advantage of everyone they encounter in order to better themselves. Based on a true story, Slammerkin is the story of Mary Saunders who is a sociopath in England in the 1760s.

    I tend to enjoy well-researched historical fiction that makes you feel like you are living in the period in which it is set. I have read and enjoyed all of Edward Rutherfurd's books, for example. "Slammerkin" clearly has been researched very meticulously. There are many little details about life in 18th century London and Monmouth (on the Welsh border). I love to learn history without feeling that I am studying. The reader of this book does not get educated about major historical events and figures; rather, he or she becomes intimately acquainted with the hardscrabble existence of working class life in the 18th century, covering things like food, sanitation and transport (the details of how Mary traveled from London to Monmouth, for example, are fascinating. Especially the contrast with Google Maps today which shows the journey to take 2 hours and 43 minutes via the M4!)

    One of the major themes of Slammerkin is the disgustingly compelling story of 18th century prostitution. The unglamorous sex scenes emphasize the seediness. There are some amusing little incidents like the client known as "Mr Armour", an early pioneer of safe sex:

    "What's that then?" asked Mary in alarm.
    "A cundum", he said. "Reasons of health. It armours me against venereal itches and fluxes".
    "What, you wear this cundum thing every time you do the business?"
    "Well, not with ladies, that goes without saying. Only with women of the town".

    I found Mary to be a very likable character at first, which most sociopaths are. She overcomes the initial adversity in her life and takes on the world in a very spirited way. But as she becomes more ambitious and takes advantage of more people her character takes on a distinctly more unpleasant aspect. The descent of Mary Saunders to the inevitable crashing climax has many unexpected twists and turns and makes for a compelling read. By the way: the Kindle price is very reasonable, and this is an excellent Kindle version. It seems that Amazon has finally figured out how to eliminate scanning errors and spurious hyphens.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
    While I loved the first two Emma Donoghue books are read, I found this book a strange departure. And not the good kind of “strange”.

    The first half of the book is narrated solely by the protagonist. The last half switches it all up and the POV shifts between many narrators. This becomes confusing and doesn’t really shed any light on either the protagonist or the supporting characters.

    Mary, the the main character, seems two-dimensional. I neither light nor disliked her. Barring the subject matter, it read like a young adult book, in terms of writing style.

    Being a new fan of Donoghue, I don’t hold this against her. The first two books I read we are brilliant! But if you are new to this author I would suggest you not read this book 1st. Read “Room”
    or “The Wonder”. If you don’t, you may never realize the genius that is Emma Donoghue.

    And that would be a loss for you, indeed.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • C. macmillan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition
    Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2024
    Great story and the book arrived early in excellent condition.
  • bookworm23
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2024
    This was my first novel from this Author. And I truly enjoyed reading it. I loved the description of London in the late 1700s; and the female characters all around was excellent! This book is not for romance readers, it is great for lovers of historical fiction. Looking forward to reading another novel from this Author.
  • Mats Evensson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastisk skildring
    Reviewed in Sweden on July 28, 2024
    Välskrivet och gripande livsöde. Donoghue blev en av mina favoritförfattare så fort jag läste Slammerkin för första gången.
  • Bruno Andreoni
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful!
    Reviewed in Brazil on January 26, 2021
    A story constructed after very few facts, a book on History of 18th century Britain, and a psychological novel delving into the mind of a psychopath, whom the reader is lured into liking.
  • Oparazzo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Kraftvoll, realistisch, deprimierend
    Reviewed in Germany on April 4, 2013
    Die 14-jährige Mary Saunders hat Träume. Eigentlich bescheidene Träume - ein schönes Kleid, ein buntes Haarband, lauter Dinge, die für die Tochter einer armen Näherin im London des 18. Jahrhunderts dennoch Träume bleiben müssten. So schön wie die bunten Prostituierten der Seven Dials möchte sie aber auch sein, und ihre Naivität macht sich ein schmuddeliger Hausierer zu Nutze, der sie im Dunkel einer Seitenstraße vergewaltigt und ihr dafür ein Haarband überlässt. Als sie ihre Schwangerschaft nach fünf Monaten nicht mehr verheimlichen kann, wirft die Mutter sie auf die Straße, wohl wissend, dass ihre Tochter dort eigentlich keine Chance hat zu überleben.

    Dass sie es trotzdem schafft, hat sie Doll zu verdanken, einer Prostituierten, die sie bei sich aufnimmt und von der sie sehr schnell lernt, dass ihre einzige Chance darin besteht, es ihr gleich zu tun. Und siehe da, trotz der gefährlichen, erniedrigenden und wenig appetitlichen Begleitumstände ihrer Existenz fühlt Mary sich zum ersten Mal frei und selbstbestimmt. Dass dies eine gefährliche Illusion ist, ist ihr in ihrem immer noch kindlichen Gemüt allerdings nicht bewusst, und sie sieht sich plötzlich gezwungen, London schnellstmöglich zu verlassen. Sie findet sich in Monmouth wieder, der Stadt ihrer Eltern, als Hausmädchen bei einer wohlhabenden Schneiderfamilie. In der Situation also, in der sie trotz aller Annehmlichkeiten nie sein wollte, und dass es auch hier kein gutes Ende nehmen würde, erfährt man bereits im Prolog.

    Emma Donoghue zeichnet ein ernüchterndes, jedoch sehr realistisches Bild des 18. Jahrhunderts, natürlich mit besonderem Blick auf Lebensumstände und Rolle der Frauen, und zwar nicht nur der Prostituierten. Man ist aber auch als Mann häufig von Dankbarkeit erfüllt, zweihundert Jahre später zur Welt gekommen zu sein.

    Man fragt sich immer wieder, ob Mary eine Chance gehabt hätte, wenn sie sich manchmal anders entschieden hätte, oder ob der freie Wille auch hier nur eine Illusion gewesen ist. Eigentlich war sie eine ziemlich moderne Frau, die eben nicht bereit war zu akzeptieren, was Schicksal und Konvention ihr zugedacht hatte, so simpel und mitunter fragwürdig ihre Motive und Lebensziele auch gewesen sein mögen.

    Häufig wird man auf englischsprachige Romane erst dann aufmerksam, wenn sie ins Deutsche übersetzt werden. Bei Slammerkin hat es immerhin dreizehn Jahre gedauert, und ich kann nur sagen, dass es höchste Zeit war.