Slammerkin
Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2002, is a historical fiction novel that explores the life of Mary Saunders in eighteenth-century England. This first edition spans 390 pages and presents a vivid narrative of self-discovery and survival during the dawn of the industrial revolution. The story follows Mary, who, born into poverty, is drawn into a life of prostitution driven by her desire for freedom and a better life.
Readers will find a rich exploration of themes such as identity and societal expectations as Mary navigates her circumstances. The narrative delves into her reflections on freedom, love, and the roles of women in a changing society. Through her journey, Mary grapples with the complexities of her choices and the societal constraints that define her existence. Slammerkin offers insights into the historical context of LGBTQ+ experiences and the struggles of women, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in literary and historical narratives.
Official synopsis Publisher
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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