Carmen Callil explores her roots in a book that is a miracle of research and whose writing is fuelled by righteous anger – a story of Empire, migration and the poverty and injustice of nineteenth-century England In this remarkable book, Carmen Callil discovers the story of her British ancestors, beginning with her great-great-grandmother Sary Lacey, born illegitimate in 1808, an impoverished stocking frame worker in Leicestershire. Through detailed research, we follow Sary from slum to tenement and from pregnancy to pregnancy. We also meet George Conquest, a canal worker and the father of one of Sary’s children. George was sentenced – for stealing a piece of hemp – to seven years’ transportation to Australia, where he faced the extraordinary brutality of convict life. Meanwhile, Mary Ann Brooks and her father John, a silversmith, travel across the seas from Lincolnshire to escape the Workhouse and life as a skivvy. But for George, as for so many destitute and disenfranchised British people like him, Australia turned out to be his Happy Day. He survived, prospered and eventually returned to England, where he met Sary again, after nearly thirty years. He brought her out to Australia, and they were never parted again. Carmen Callil not only reclaims from obscurity the lives of these ordinary men and women who were sent to Australia as convicts or domestic servants, but also draws telling parallels for our own times. Oh Happy Day is a moving story of poverty, social injustice, Empire and migration.
✔ Author(s): Carmen Callil
✔ Title: Oh Happy Day
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (23 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0099548569
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Oh Happy Day by Carmen Callil
Byrdie Bartlett
Dive into a captivating mystery where each clue unravels a new layer of intrigue. The author's masterful storytelling keeps you guessing until the final page. Vivid characters and detailed settings bring the story to life. The suspense builds with each chapter, making it impossible to put down. It's a gripping tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A must-read for fans of the genre.
Lola Frye
Discover the inspiring story of a trailblazer who changed the world in this compelling biography. The author's detailed research and engaging writing bring the subject to life. Each chapter reveals new insights into the person's life and achievements. The narrative is both informative and deeply moving, offering valuable life lessons. It's a story that motivates and inspires. Perfect for history buffs and biography enthusiasts.
Aviana Olsen
Explore the impact of technology on society in this thought-provoking novel. The author's insightful writing and compelling characters create a narrative that challenges your perceptions. Each chapter delves into the complexities of modern life with depth and nuance. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a story that prompts deep reflection on the role of technology in our lives. Perfect for readers interested in contemporary issues.
