Slammerkin
Book description
Set in London and Monmouth in the late 1700s, this is an extraordinary novel about Mary Saunders, the young daughter of a poor seamstress. Mary hungers greedily for fine clothes and ribbons, as people of her class do for food and warmth. It's a hunger that lures her into prostitution…
Why read it?
1 author picked Slammerkin as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Maybe it’s because of my working-class roots, but Mary Saunders, an obscure but very real historical figure, is the sort of woman I wanted to root for. After all, it takes initiative, ingenuity, and not a small dose of impetuosity to rise from a lower-class schoolgirl to, well, some higher station. I was saddened to see how Mary’s yearnings to free herself from the shackles of her class forced her into prostitution at a young age. But when she made a dangerous misstep that set her on the run and landed her a position of a household seamstress, I couldn’t…
From Maryka's list on wily, take-charge women.
Want books like Slammerkin?
Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 47 books like Slammerkin.
5 book lists we think you will like!
Interested in King George III, murder, and murder mystery?
10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about King George III, murder, and murder mystery.