This Savage World

by Anna Housego

What happens when you're cast out from everything you love and know?

From the moment London midwife Maggie Bloodworth steals a handful of clothes she's in a fight for survival and her very soul.

Banished in 1790 to a world where right and wrong have no meaning, she must live by her own rules amidst deprivation and cruelty, and strive for a way to return to her abandoned daughter. All the while, she's haunted by her mother's dying vision that she's marked in some way.

From England to Sydney Cove, far-flung Norfolk Island, and the wilds of Van Diemen's Land, she must reckon with how to be a good person in a bad world, even as she becomes an adulterer, bigamist, and interloper in a land that's not hers.

But the greatest test is yet to come, in a letter she's not meant to see, exposing the lie at the heart of all she's wrested from hardship, and the betrayal of the man she's learned to trust.

A profound story, based on a real character and events, it lays bare the hidden truth of what one woman, and many others, sacrificed for the shaping of a nation.

This Savage World is Anna Housego's fourth novel. She is also the author of Crows On The Roof, One Small Life, and The Way To Midnight.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2024

About the author

Anna is a former journalist, worked in an outback pub in crocodile country, was a political adviser, and a communications consultant.

She grew up in a small wilderness town full of eccentrics and colourful characters and now lives near the Southern Ocean in Tasmania, a small island below the south-eastern corner of Australia. Her two grown-up children and their families are nearby.

She writes character-driven fiction with an historical bent and recently released her fifth book, The Two Wives of Cuddy Ranse. Her debut novel, praised for its gripping story and compelling style, is The Way to Midnight, a 1930s mystery that resonates today. It was inspired by a true family scandal that she researched for almost a decade. Find out what it takes to dig up a family secret, with your free copy of Disgrace: Uncovering a Family Scandal, available at www.annahousego.com

Reviews

[Karrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am definitely in the minority here….but this was one of the most boring books I have ever read

[Regina Roof · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story. The main character was based on an ancestor of the author. Her struggles could be depressing , but it is a story of the early settlement of Australia by convicts.

[Linda Surritte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured me and brought me into the main character's world. It is a story across generations with an ending that spoke to me.

[VIRGINIA DACOSTA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival in a Savage World

The reader follows the life of Maggie from young apprenticeship to a midwife to a marriage, young daughter and then banishment to Australia for a small theft that she thinks can save her three year old daughter and herself from starvation. It is a Savage and harsh out for herself focused on regaining the child she is forced to leave. The author takes us on a life's journey of sacrifice with moments of happiness though mainly a difficult existence. How will Maggie's life end? Will she ever find her only daughter Hannah again? A very compelling novel that I couldn't put down

[Linda Edmonds Cerullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting historical fiction based on a true story of a woman who, due to anguish about her small child, her lack of resources and the disappearance of her husband, made a rash decision to steal clothing from a family she worked for and was sent to Australia during the colonization by the British in the 1790s. The writing is superb. Having read just a little about this time in history, I was amazed by how rugged and primitive the conditions were and how strong the settlers were in building a life for themselves. I knew that convicts were among the many who did the hard work of establishing this area of the world but really gave little thought to just what they faced. Anna Housego tells their story using empathy, while also acknowledging the struggle to live with the consequences of their errors and showing that women have the ability to thrive just as men do under less than adequate conditions. This is a tribute to her ancestors and a history lesson in both the pros and cons of the birth of Australia as we know it today. I really didn't want this book to end. Highly recommend.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction account of eighteenth century Brit, Maggie, who is sentenced to exile to the penal colony of Australia. Her petty thievery earned her a lifetime sentence of transportation to “THIS SAVAGE LAND”.

Maggie’s only intention was to feed her daughter. Cruelly separated from Hannah and husband, Dan, Maggie is shipped off to the other side of the world. Despite horrific hardship, she never surrenders the hope of reuniting with her loved ones.

Author Housego has written this saga based on the life of her five times great grandmother. It is the story of the great displacement of human beings. The British sent their undesirables to Australia, and eventually the native aboriginal homeland is obliterated. This is not unlike my homeland, USA— an age old story, one for which all humans bear responsibility.

Maggie’s story will break your heart and inspire as well. Love the cover art!

[Christabell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of a remarkable woman...

This is the first book I've read of Anna Housego, it certainly won't be the last! This Savage World was a lovely, enjoyable read of the life of Maggie Bloodworth. From a young age, she fights to become a midwife, it is something she holds dear, something she is good at. Sadly in time, Maggie finds herself banished to a world that holds nothing dear. This is the story of one woman's fight for survival, the fight between herself, and the fight of a woman trying to survive in 1790 in a strange world! I was captured by Maggie's strength and sheer determination, by her fight against the cruelty of this new world. How she changed herself to the needs of the time, a remarkable story of a remarkable woman!

[Ronald Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read

I have some mixed emotions about this book. A lover of historical fiction, I was immediately draw to the story of how an 18th/19th convict’s life evolved. This epic tale covers many decades of a woman’s life, describing in some detail the fate of those sent to Australia for criminal offenses. However, as the story continues the author seems to drag the tale out unnecessarily.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Housego gave careful attention to historical detail, with rich depictions of early Australia, Norfolk Island, and Tasmania and those sent to colonize in the late 1700s/early 1800s, particularly transported convicts. With characters fully fleshed out and stunning prose, I was deeply moved by the way she depicted the life of Maggie Bloodworth and those who filled her world. A beautiful tribute to Housego's ancestors (especially Ann Howard) whose stories inspired this book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in and kept me hostage. I read it in 1 day. Based loosely on the author's family, it tells the story of a woman shipped to Australia as a convict, forced to leave her child, and struggle to build a new life in an untamed continent. It was absolutely brilliant, and I will have a hard time choosing my next read. This just became one of my favorites. Five stars.

[Elodia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

The author's writing style kept me engaged throughout the story. The writing was descriptive without wasting words. The story is told in narration without too much inter-charactor dialogue which I find annoying in some books,, I recommend this book and look forward to reading all his other work.

[Michelle Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A girls life

It takes you through Maggie's life from the age of12 until her dying day. She always was a healer and cared for all those around her. She never forgave herself for having to leave her child, although we can't undo what's done. You really become very attached to her. Great story

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, I was hooked from the first page. Everyone needs to read historical fiction like this story of living in the "wild west" set in Australia and other south Pacific islands to know how good we have it, and to be reminded of how the English conquered the world by using poor whites as well as blacks.

[Mary Herold · Rating 5 out of 5]

a life of struggles and pain but full of joy and blessings.

A life that showed strength, suffering, work, amid the growth of a country. A woman who lived a full life and produced a heritage for the future. A great read and one I recommend highly.

[Charlotte M Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

difficult to read but worth it!

This was difficult for me to get into the story. Once I got to know Maggie my heart went out to her and I had to find out where her story took her. I respect her strong ethics and sense of self.

[Lynne Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Persevere

The beginning was slow and I considered giving up. I am glad I didn't the story warmed up and I enjoyed the book and finished it in a day. The plot was survival in a harsh environment and the courage of women who give birth then continue their daily struggle.

[Susan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Author

So enjoyed this wonderful story. I am delighted to have discovered her work. Wonderfully written with a depth that at my own 70 years I marvel at the words chosen and the heartfelt understanding about a woman’s family life and journey. Great in every way.

[Kristyn Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic novel of a midwife who stole and ended up on a prison transport to Australia. Tale of the hard life of the settlers and a family who rises from her choices. Hard story beginning to end.
Justice, forgiveness, hope, courage

[Fleta Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

very engaging and believable story

What a wonderful and heartbreaking story! Great historical details and situational descriptions. This book could resonate with anyone across generations who has lost or become estranged from a child.

[Sheryl A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

I am an avid reader of a very wide range of subjects yet this is a book that has inspired my first review. Colorful, incite full without being maudlin, entices the reader to its satisfying end.
Truly recommend.
Sheryl

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense. Sad what humans do to one another. Also uplighting as some humans triumph over adversity. Sorrowful history of colonization.

[Nina Conner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very slow, interesting enough story but could have had more exciting factors.

[Jan Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

history worth knowing

A woman’s work was never done. The world as it was was a very cold place. Thank you, Anna Housego, for sharing a story with us.

[Felice Kapfhamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this story is fictional- it gives the reader a lens to feel the pain and difficulties women and families suffered as well as the simple joys and love of family during this period in time.

[LINDA DAVIES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read on Australia's Beginnings

This book had me mesmerized within the first few pages. I could feel the characters, their hopes, their struggles in a new untamed land.

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t finish book. I read the first 8 chapters, and tried to stick with it. I found it boring.

[Reader]

I found it a great read !

[Ellie Dodsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the story, it’s the first time I’ve read something about the convicts being sent to Australia since I was at school. It was nice to read about a different period of history to what I usually do

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great writing. Great book club discussion. 3 stars because the story made me want to hang myself.

[Jamie Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written immersive story

I enjoyed this book. Anna has a beautiful gift in story telling. I really loved the characters, and reading about their lives. I was sad to finish.