Cirrus@Austlit

'The first months of London’s Great Plague of 1665 give no hope of any improvement, only an ominous warning of worse to come. Those who can are fleeing the city. Those who can’t – the poor, the old, and a dedicated few – must stay to face the growing danger. The ancient women of the parish of St Cyneswide and St Tibba, the Searchers, Viewers and Keepers, who have weathered the disappearance of one of their own, face further calls on their courage and resilience. The plot against the King simmers, supported by folk of fire and faith, dismissed by others as the work of fanatics. There are those who will stop at nothing and threaten the whole city. But … the parish still finds solace in singing; small children play their joyous, sometimes fractious, street games; and young people find each other. Volume 2 of Plague Searchers – Flee quick, go far – continues this gripping tale with its friendships and feuds, songs and psalms, plots and betrayals.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'It is 1665 and London faces two deadly threats – the devastating plague, and dangerous rumblings of a rebellion against the King, Charles II. In the frontline of the plague, the ‘first responders’, are the ancient women of the parish: the Viewers, Keepers and Searchers, who must deal with the sick, the dying and the dead. Political and religious differences split the city. Some yearn for the days of Oliver Cromwell and the Puritan Commonwealth, others rejoice in the pleasure loving King’s return. A tale of friendships and feuds, songs and psalms, plots and betrayals, this exciting and original novel paints a rich picture of life – and death – in the perilous streets of plague-struck London.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Alias Blind Larry is a convict story, an adventure story, a colonial story, a Jewish story, a theatrical story. A story of cruelty, resilience, cheek and humour, and it is (mostly) true. Born in London in 1793, the son of a poor diamond cutter, young James Laurence travelled to Jamaica, the USA and Canada, clerking, acting, impersonating, singing, forging and defrauding before he was transported to NSW in 1814 for jewel theft. He served time in every penal settlement in NSW, singing and thieving when he was free. He wrote his memoir on Norfolk Island in 1842, just before his release. Then even more adventures followed. A fascinating piece of history, untold until now. Through the narrative of Laurence’s life, Alias Blind Larry re-creates a whole period of history.' (Publication summary)

'With "humin hopes" of a better life, the newly married Charles and Louisa Moore set sail for Australia in 1855 on the emigrant ship Constitution. In a moving example of history written "from below" Charles, a plasterer by trade, kept a detailed diary of the voyage, of the time spent in quarantine on arrival, and of his first week working in Sydney town.

Written with verve and humour, his diary tells of ice bergs, smallpox, storms, births and deaths, and the rituals and routines of life at sea. The troubled voyage was discussed at length in official correspondence of the day - now printed here along with the diary. A list compiled in 1855 of all the immigrants is included.

We also read of the 50th anniversary organised by the survivors in 1905, as well as 20 stories of Constitution immigrants' lives in Australia, written in 2005 by their descendants. Humin Hopes gives a rich, rounded picture of immigrant life in the 1850s and after.' Source:www.pigfacepress.com/ (Sighted 09/10/2009).