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The Other Catherine
Two worlds, two women, one story . . .
In 1793, eighteen-year-old Catherine is sentenced to transportation on the Tempest, a convict ship bound for New South Wales. Trapped below deck with scores of women, she endures storms, brutality and loss, while dreaming of freedom on the shores of a country far from home.
A century later in Aotearoa, Māori matriarch Keita stands amid the ruins of her whānau and the encroaching world of settlers, whalers and empire. Disturbed by the long reach of colonial change, Keita begins to unravel her own story.
Spanning seas and generations, The Other Catherine is a luminous tale of survival, whakapapa and female friendship, for readers of Jenny Pattrick and Tina Makereti.
In 1793, eighteen-year-old Catherine is sentenced to transportation on the Tempest, a convict ship bound for New South Wales. Trapped below deck with scores of women, she endures storms, brutality and loss, while dreaming of freedom on the shores of a country far from home.
A century later in Aotearoa, Māori matriarch Keita stands amid the ruins of her whānau and the encroaching world of settlers, whalers and empire. Disturbed by the long reach of colonial change, Keita begins to unravel her own story.
Spanning seas and generations, The Other Catherine is a luminous tale of survival, whakapapa and female friendship, for readers of Jenny Pattrick and Tina Makereti.
- GenresHistorical
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 8, 2026
The Other Catherine by Lauren Keenan absolutely stole my heart.
This novel is primarily set between Ireland, where we meet Catherine aboard the convict ship Tempest bound for New South Wales, and Taranaki, New Zealand, where our other Catherine (Keita - a Māori matriarch) begins to unravel her story. This is such a beautifully character-driven piece of historical fiction. It’s a story about friendship, survival, whakapapa, and the invisible threads that connect people across oceans and generations.
I love books that deliver those little gasp moments where the interconnectedness of characters suddenly clicks into place - and this one does it so well. Quietly powerful, emotional, and deeply human.
I adored The Space Between, so I was incredibly excited to pick this one up, and it absolutely delivered - I realised at the end, the character connection between books and it made me appreciate it even more.
Also such a cool personal moment spotting a shout out to Hona Black - my cousin - and his book He Iti Te Kupu (which is also fantastic). That little whakapapa connection made this feel even more special.
If you love historical fiction that centres wāhine, identity, resilience, and connection, definitely put this one on your radar.
This novel is primarily set between Ireland, where we meet Catherine aboard the convict ship Tempest bound for New South Wales, and Taranaki, New Zealand, where our other Catherine (Keita - a Māori matriarch) begins to unravel her story. This is such a beautifully character-driven piece of historical fiction. It’s a story about friendship, survival, whakapapa, and the invisible threads that connect people across oceans and generations.
I love books that deliver those little gasp moments where the interconnectedness of characters suddenly clicks into place - and this one does it so well. Quietly powerful, emotional, and deeply human.
I adored The Space Between, so I was incredibly excited to pick this one up, and it absolutely delivered - I realised at the end, the character connection between books and it made me appreciate it even more.
Also such a cool personal moment spotting a shout out to Hona Black - my cousin - and his book He Iti Te Kupu (which is also fantastic). That little whakapapa connection made this feel even more special.
If you love historical fiction that centres wāhine, identity, resilience, and connection, definitely put this one on your radar.
May 8, 2026
Another perfect five-star read from Lauren Keenan.
I was completely lost in both Catherine's story, and Keita's. And the side stories of Rosannah, and Brigid, and Mairie. I was especially taken with the Author's Note at the end!!! I could have read a whole book on that alone. I would love, love, love, to read follow on books about the lives of both these women after the end of this book. Please?!
The descriptions of the conditions of the convict's transport were heart-rending. How could people be that cruel?
Māori author Michael Bennett talks about how he hopes his Hana Westerman books inform and educate readers about the impact of colonisation, by stealth. And this is exactly how I feel about Keenan's books. I feel that they open your eyes through the words and thoughts of women of the time, with beautiful prose, and connecting the reader to the traditions and beliefs of the local iwi. Surely through learning about those traditions and beliefs, we all benefit? And how appropriate that we read books like this now, so that history doesn't repeat.
I was completely lost in both Catherine's story, and Keita's. And the side stories of Rosannah, and Brigid, and Mairie. I was especially taken with the Author's Note at the end!!! I could have read a whole book on that alone. I would love, love, love, to read follow on books about the lives of both these women after the end of this book. Please?!
The descriptions of the conditions of the convict's transport were heart-rending. How could people be that cruel?
Māori author Michael Bennett talks about how he hopes his Hana Westerman books inform and educate readers about the impact of colonisation, by stealth. And this is exactly how I feel about Keenan's books. I feel that they open your eyes through the words and thoughts of women of the time, with beautiful prose, and connecting the reader to the traditions and beliefs of the local iwi. Surely through learning about those traditions and beliefs, we all benefit? And how appropriate that we read books like this now, so that history doesn't repeat.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews