"The Exiles" by Christina Baker Kline

 The Exiles

by Christina Baker Kline

Overall Rating: 4.5 * 

Grip Factor:       4.5

Writing Style:    4.5

Engaging Plot:   5

Characters:        4

Satisfying end:  4

A world where transport to a third world was still a punishment.  People were moved half way across the world for minor offences such as stealing a spoon.  A world where a single, young woman had no way to recover and no one to catch her if and when she falls.  This is what this book is - story of the struggles faced by all those young women who made little mistakes and were punished by being moved to Australia.  

Unfortunate hand of fate: I hate the book so many times while reading that I actually get angry and put it down.  Specially in areas where fate played with Evangeline or with Mathinna.  Why would fate be so cruel to people who just want to lead simple lives.  The stories of all these women is heartbreaking and it feels more sad because we know today that these are part of actual facts which happened in the past.  These stories are inspiring as well as since it teaches us to rise above our dire circumstances.  Each of these women suffered the worst but were still able to rise from the ashes and make their lives again.  

The book is well written but sometimes it is so heart wrenching to read about the stories of these women.  The book is well researched and takes facts into consideration.  Taking away half a star since the author was too cruel to Evangeline and Mathinna.  I hope they were given better chances.  

View into the Australian and British history: This book covers two facts from world history - one related to the British colonization and its impact.  The other part is the Australian history as to what happened to the original settlers of the great land.  

This is a perfect historical fiction which people should pick up.  It has got the correct mix of historical facts, places, characters as well as a story to work around with all these things.