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This Slavery
368 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 22, 2026
Beautifully detailed illustrations capture a specific time and place with elements that are frighteningly relatable for modern audiences.
January 1, 2026
This Slavery is a graphic adaptation of an original work published in 1925 by Ethel Carnie Holdsworth. It was a radical text in its anti-capitalist messaging and its intersectionality.
The graphic novel is an incredible work. I was pulled into the world of dark, satanic mills, cobbled streets, gnawing hunger and picket lines of a mill town in Lancashire.
The two female leads, Hester and Rachel Martin, are brought up in the shadow of the mill, destined to work there like their mother before them. The paradox is so stark: you need the mill to survive, but after it takes your best years it likely spits you out into an early grave through toil and suppressed wages.
Circumstance dictates that the sisters’ lives take different directions: Rachel studies Marx and becomes an active and outspoken ‘agitator’; Hester accepts a marriage proposal from a wealthy merchant- catapulting her into a different social setting to the rest of her family- where she finds a different kind of prison as she must submit utterly to her husband.
Later, Hester’s husband is now a mill owner, and as the workers in mills across town go on strike to have their pay reinstated, Hester’s heart lies with ‘her people’ not her pompous husband. But, what can she do about it as a woman in her position?
The labour and love that has been poured into this graphic novel pays tribute to Ethel Carnie Holdsworth’s original work. The dialogue and images work in tandem to give you a really strong sense of character and a pacy plot that still manages to convey the stagnation; the tension and danger of protesting; the longevity and rot of poverty and toll of struggle. The images bring social history to life in minute and incredibly authentic detail.
The graphic novel is an incredible work. I was pulled into the world of dark, satanic mills, cobbled streets, gnawing hunger and picket lines of a mill town in Lancashire.
The two female leads, Hester and Rachel Martin, are brought up in the shadow of the mill, destined to work there like their mother before them. The paradox is so stark: you need the mill to survive, but after it takes your best years it likely spits you out into an early grave through toil and suppressed wages.
Circumstance dictates that the sisters’ lives take different directions: Rachel studies Marx and becomes an active and outspoken ‘agitator’; Hester accepts a marriage proposal from a wealthy merchant- catapulting her into a different social setting to the rest of her family- where she finds a different kind of prison as she must submit utterly to her husband.
Later, Hester’s husband is now a mill owner, and as the workers in mills across town go on strike to have their pay reinstated, Hester’s heart lies with ‘her people’ not her pompous husband. But, what can she do about it as a woman in her position?
The labour and love that has been poured into this graphic novel pays tribute to Ethel Carnie Holdsworth’s original work. The dialogue and images work in tandem to give you a really strong sense of character and a pacy plot that still manages to convey the stagnation; the tension and danger of protesting; the longevity and rot of poverty and toll of struggle. The images bring social history to life in minute and incredibly authentic detail.
February 5, 2026
Graphic novel based on Ethel Carnie Holdsworth's novel of the same name.
This follows sisters Hessie (younger, blond, sickly) and Rachel (dark, angry, wild) and their attempts to break free of the molds they've been shoved into.
Taking place in Lancashire, England, during the battles for the Labour Party (not yet called that) with the mill owners over conditions in the mills, with payments, and treatment of the workers.
A very sumptuous book, with Hessie making the decision to marry "above her station" to get out of working the mills while Rachel agitates to try to make things better. Both of them are still 'chained' though; Hessie through her husband's (and society's) expectations and how the laws do not favor women and Rachel through poverty that she's still trying to break out of.
Both women fall in love with the same man though we never see a marriage - Hessie starts in love with him but Mother forbids the marriage so he leaves the country; toward the middle of the novel, he returns and he and Rachel eventually realize they love each other as well.
I'm happy the dog, Jip, lived through the entire thing. :D
I'd say this would be good for teens (it was in the adult section of the library) to give them a glimpse of the past and also an idea of what could happen in the future.
This follows sisters Hessie (younger, blond, sickly) and Rachel (dark, angry, wild) and their attempts to break free of the molds they've been shoved into.
Taking place in Lancashire, England, during the battles for the Labour Party (not yet called that) with the mill owners over conditions in the mills, with payments, and treatment of the workers.
A very sumptuous book, with Hessie making the decision to marry "above her station" to get out of working the mills while Rachel agitates to try to make things better. Both of them are still 'chained' though; Hessie through her husband's (and society's) expectations and how the laws do not favor women and Rachel through poverty that she's still trying to break out of.
Both women fall in love with the same man though we never see a marriage - Hessie starts in love with him but Mother forbids the marriage so he leaves the country; toward the middle of the novel, he returns and he and Rachel eventually realize they love each other as well.
I'm happy the dog, Jip, lived through the entire thing. :D
I'd say this would be good for teens (it was in the adult section of the library) to give them a glimpse of the past and also an idea of what could happen in the future.
March 13, 2026
Complex, deep tale, told beautifully and entertainingly with solid drama. The art is excellent, as is the writing. It's anti-faith, but even as a Christian reading this, I understood the character's motivations and their ties with the deeper themes.
I noticed it because I read that it was on the 2026 British shortlist for best Graphic Novel. Should win the award.
The grim up North has never looked so beautiful.
I noticed it because I read that it was on the 2026 British shortlist for best Graphic Novel. Should win the award.
The grim up North has never looked so beautiful.
September 21, 2025
I knew I’d love this book, as I’ve loved Sophie and Scarlett previous too. The art works great they still very closely to the original source. Great book, thanks guys! So when and what is next please? ☺️😅
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October 2, 2025booklist review pending
February 5, 2026
My goodness, how timely this still is.
January 21, 2026
Found this by chance in a bookshop, not knowing the Rickards' other work or the original book by Ethel Carnie Holdsworth. Atmospheric and honestly, a call to action, even if we're not working int' mill anymore. My only complaint was the ending seemed rather rushed, but maybe the source material is like that.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews