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Into the World
In the midst of the French Revolution, in 1791, unwed mother Marie-Louise Girardin takes one last look at her baby son before thrusting him into the arms of her friend, the revolutionary Olympe de Gouges. She must escape, and only the most daring plan will bring her both the anonymity she needs and the independence to return one day for her son.
Marie-Louise disguises herself as a man and joins a voyage of exploration employed as a steward on the Recherche, one of two ships commissioned to journey to the Great Southern Ocean to find the missing explorer La Perouse.
Protecting her identity throughout, Marie-Louise forms friendships among the eccentric naturalists. But tensions rise between the royalist officers and the revolutionaries, and Marie-Louise's position becomes precarious when she discovers someone on board knows the secrets of her past. When the expedition docks in Java, chaos erupts as they learn of King Louis XVI's execution and are imprisoned by the Dutch. Marie-Louise seems certain to be unmasked. Will she ever return to France and be reunited with her child?
Inspired by a true story, Into the World is a compelling novel of the amazing life of Marie-Louise Girardin battling perilous seas, her own self-doubt, and finding unforeseen loves on a journey to reclaim her child.
Marie-Louise disguises herself as a man and joins a voyage of exploration employed as a steward on the Recherche, one of two ships commissioned to journey to the Great Southern Ocean to find the missing explorer La Perouse.
Protecting her identity throughout, Marie-Louise forms friendships among the eccentric naturalists. But tensions rise between the royalist officers and the revolutionaries, and Marie-Louise's position becomes precarious when she discovers someone on board knows the secrets of her past. When the expedition docks in Java, chaos erupts as they learn of King Louis XVI's execution and are imprisoned by the Dutch. Marie-Louise seems certain to be unmasked. Will she ever return to France and be reunited with her child?
Inspired by a true story, Into the World is a compelling novel of the amazing life of Marie-Louise Girardin battling perilous seas, her own self-doubt, and finding unforeseen loves on a journey to reclaim her child.
448 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2017
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April 20, 2018
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Into the World, written by debut Australian novelist Stephanie Parkyn, is a buccaneering tale of one fearless woman’s adventure across the high seas. Marie-Louise Girardin finds herself on board the Recherche, posing as a male steward, travelling across the world from France to the Pacific, on an unforgettable expedition. Into the World is a solid example of how fact and fiction can be expertly sewn together to create one vivid historical adventure tale.
Set within the uncertain and perilous time of the French Revolution, the lead of Into the World, Marie-Louise Girardin, finds herself in an impossible situation. As an unwed mother, Marie-Louise is faced with the heartbreaking decision of abandoning her newborn son and fleeing the country, with the help of an influential friend, Olympe de Gouges. With an escape route all planned out, Marie-Louise must risk it all in the hope that one day she will be in a position to reclaim her beloved son. It is one risky plan and it leads Marie-Louise to take on the identity of a man. Disguised as a male steward, Marie-Louise embarks on a journey across the globe, on board the vessel the Recherche. The Recherche has been requested to both find a missing French explorer and discover new territory in the Great Southern Ocean region. Marie-Louise finds she faces a tough daily battle, to keep her identity under wraps and avoid the tensions that are brewing on the ship between various different fractions. When a figure from Marie-Louise’s past makes their presence known, a new threat emerges for this brave woman. Tensions also run high when supplies become low and news travels to the ship of the impact of the French Revolution. With threats from her homeland of France, as well as the new countries Marie-Louise find herself entering, her final fate appears to be desperately uncertain.
Since Into the World was released late last year, it has been on my reading wishlist. I have a weakness for historical fiction novels, especially those set in France and those that are based in part on a true story, or real life figures. Into the World is a very fine example of a novel that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, delivering a convincing narrative based on real life historical events.
For a debut novelist, Stephanie Parkyn is one very talented storyteller. She is able to take facts, figures, real life personalities and places and tie these aspects together perfectly to produce one memorable story. It takes a great deal of skill to draw a reader into a historical storyline and I was very impressed by Parkyn’s ability to transport me to another world and time. I was completely invested in this historical adventure from the start to bitter end of the novel. This is a true testament to Parkyn’s exceptional knowledge of her main subject matter.
Stephanie Parkyn takes a hypothetical approach to the characters that colour her novel, but each and every character comes across as authentic. The lead of this swashbuckling tale, Marie Louise, is a strong female identity with a fascinating back story. Parkyn does a superb job of bringing this character to life and displaying just how far Marie-Louise’s self resolve takes her. Parkyn also ensures that the reader feels every emotion and drama Marie-Louise feels, in particular the heartbreak she suffers are various points in her life. Tensions run high with the dangers Marie-Louise continually faces at almost every moment of her voyage on the Recherche. I was absolutely astounded by Marie-Louise’s hair brain plan to even consider impersonating a man! Parkyn fills in the details well so we get a fine picture of this scenario. I find it impossible to fault Parkyn’s character development, which in both dealing with her major and minor players, good as well as bad, were portrayed with conviction.
The aspects of the novel that commanded my attention were of course the time devoted to recreating revolutionary France and overwhelmingly the adventure sequences that take place out on the open sea. I loved the opportunity to learn what life would be like for a steward on board a vessel in the 1700’s. Parkyn does a fine job of recreating the tough life on board a ship such as the Recherche. As a result we receive a vivid picture of the unique sights, sounds, smells and day to day happenings on board a ship of this magnitude. One of the personal highlights for me in relation to this aspect of the novel was the discovery of the various marine life and unusual flora that appeared before the crew of the Recherche, it was a delight to bask in the crew’s discoveries. Likewise, we also gain a fascinating insight into the various locales and diverse cultures across the globe the Recherche passes by. Even Van Diemen’s Land has a strong place in the proceedings of the novel. It is in these compelling sequences that we are given an insight into forms of slavery in this era, the political uprisings and the dangers natives posed to explorers.
Throughout Into the World there is a line of mystery crossed with suspense, coupled with an atmosphere of heightened tension. We are constantly on tenterhooks, wondering whether or not Marie-Louise will be discovered and her real identity exposed. I remained loyal to this book until the very end, as I wanted to know if Marie-Louise would be successful in returning to her home in France and reclaim her son. Friendship, mateship, loyalty and love all have a place to bear in Into the World. I liked the approach Parkyn took to these themes. Overall, I was taken aback by the prominence of Parkyn’s writing style, her full bodied narrative and Parkyn’s wrap up of Marie-Louise’s life.
I hold Into the World and the eloquent writing of Stephanie Parkyn in high regard. It is a taxing task bringing events from the past into the present and to mould a narrative that is both readable and rich in historical fact. I believe Stephanie Parkyn has achieved this mighty feat and should be applauded for her remarkable first novel. I am eagerly awaiting what Parkyn will explore next and I know her next novel will be sitting at the top of my wishlist.
Into the World is book #36 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
Into the World, written by debut Australian novelist Stephanie Parkyn, is a buccaneering tale of one fearless woman’s adventure across the high seas. Marie-Louise Girardin finds herself on board the Recherche, posing as a male steward, travelling across the world from France to the Pacific, on an unforgettable expedition. Into the World is a solid example of how fact and fiction can be expertly sewn together to create one vivid historical adventure tale.
Set within the uncertain and perilous time of the French Revolution, the lead of Into the World, Marie-Louise Girardin, finds herself in an impossible situation. As an unwed mother, Marie-Louise is faced with the heartbreaking decision of abandoning her newborn son and fleeing the country, with the help of an influential friend, Olympe de Gouges. With an escape route all planned out, Marie-Louise must risk it all in the hope that one day she will be in a position to reclaim her beloved son. It is one risky plan and it leads Marie-Louise to take on the identity of a man. Disguised as a male steward, Marie-Louise embarks on a journey across the globe, on board the vessel the Recherche. The Recherche has been requested to both find a missing French explorer and discover new territory in the Great Southern Ocean region. Marie-Louise finds she faces a tough daily battle, to keep her identity under wraps and avoid the tensions that are brewing on the ship between various different fractions. When a figure from Marie-Louise’s past makes their presence known, a new threat emerges for this brave woman. Tensions also run high when supplies become low and news travels to the ship of the impact of the French Revolution. With threats from her homeland of France, as well as the new countries Marie-Louise find herself entering, her final fate appears to be desperately uncertain.
Since Into the World was released late last year, it has been on my reading wishlist. I have a weakness for historical fiction novels, especially those set in France and those that are based in part on a true story, or real life figures. Into the World is a very fine example of a novel that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, delivering a convincing narrative based on real life historical events.
For a debut novelist, Stephanie Parkyn is one very talented storyteller. She is able to take facts, figures, real life personalities and places and tie these aspects together perfectly to produce one memorable story. It takes a great deal of skill to draw a reader into a historical storyline and I was very impressed by Parkyn’s ability to transport me to another world and time. I was completely invested in this historical adventure from the start to bitter end of the novel. This is a true testament to Parkyn’s exceptional knowledge of her main subject matter.
Stephanie Parkyn takes a hypothetical approach to the characters that colour her novel, but each and every character comes across as authentic. The lead of this swashbuckling tale, Marie Louise, is a strong female identity with a fascinating back story. Parkyn does a superb job of bringing this character to life and displaying just how far Marie-Louise’s self resolve takes her. Parkyn also ensures that the reader feels every emotion and drama Marie-Louise feels, in particular the heartbreak she suffers are various points in her life. Tensions run high with the dangers Marie-Louise continually faces at almost every moment of her voyage on the Recherche. I was absolutely astounded by Marie-Louise’s hair brain plan to even consider impersonating a man! Parkyn fills in the details well so we get a fine picture of this scenario. I find it impossible to fault Parkyn’s character development, which in both dealing with her major and minor players, good as well as bad, were portrayed with conviction.
The aspects of the novel that commanded my attention were of course the time devoted to recreating revolutionary France and overwhelmingly the adventure sequences that take place out on the open sea. I loved the opportunity to learn what life would be like for a steward on board a vessel in the 1700’s. Parkyn does a fine job of recreating the tough life on board a ship such as the Recherche. As a result we receive a vivid picture of the unique sights, sounds, smells and day to day happenings on board a ship of this magnitude. One of the personal highlights for me in relation to this aspect of the novel was the discovery of the various marine life and unusual flora that appeared before the crew of the Recherche, it was a delight to bask in the crew’s discoveries. Likewise, we also gain a fascinating insight into the various locales and diverse cultures across the globe the Recherche passes by. Even Van Diemen’s Land has a strong place in the proceedings of the novel. It is in these compelling sequences that we are given an insight into forms of slavery in this era, the political uprisings and the dangers natives posed to explorers.
Throughout Into the World there is a line of mystery crossed with suspense, coupled with an atmosphere of heightened tension. We are constantly on tenterhooks, wondering whether or not Marie-Louise will be discovered and her real identity exposed. I remained loyal to this book until the very end, as I wanted to know if Marie-Louise would be successful in returning to her home in France and reclaim her son. Friendship, mateship, loyalty and love all have a place to bear in Into the World. I liked the approach Parkyn took to these themes. Overall, I was taken aback by the prominence of Parkyn’s writing style, her full bodied narrative and Parkyn’s wrap up of Marie-Louise’s life.
I hold Into the World and the eloquent writing of Stephanie Parkyn in high regard. It is a taxing task bringing events from the past into the present and to mould a narrative that is both readable and rich in historical fact. I believe Stephanie Parkyn has achieved this mighty feat and should be applauded for her remarkable first novel. I am eagerly awaiting what Parkyn will explore next and I know her next novel will be sitting at the top of my wishlist.
Into the World is book #36 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
January 28, 2018
Simply sublime. Into the World is an assured debut by Stephanie Parkyn, which manages to have the right amount of everything: 1) a page-turning plot as Marie-Louise Girardin disguises herself as a man to earn money to support her child, setting off on the high seas on the Recherche to search for the lost ship La Perouse; 2) stunning prose, with lines I had to keep writing down -- no simple 'shrugs' or 'swallows' here; 3) fully-fleshed characters that felt so real, with deep sensory description and embodiment, motivations that were credible, though maybe not understandable in this day and age, and loyalties that were not what they seemed; and 4) woven through with historical details of a life at sea, where there was something new to experience every day of the voyage, and on every page, the ship wasn't a static setting or backdrop, set against the social and historical context of the French Revolution, where Marie-Louise learns that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Fraternite was a call for a new social order, but women's lives were still controlled and determined by men. Deeply immersive, thoroughly recommended read.
January 9, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. Stephanie Parkyn has bought to life the name Marie-Louise Girardin, and the voyage of exploration as a steward aboard the Recherche. While this tale holds truth to it, it is only through the authors careful research that Marie-Louise's life is able to be told. Wonderful writing and fantastic characters throughout.
April 24, 2019
Into the World by Stephanie Parkyn is a richly imagined tale inspired by the true story of Marie-Louise Victoire Girardin who fled France in the early days of the Revolution and disguised herself as a man, spending the next few years working as a steward on a French tall ship. She sailed from France to Van Dieman’s Land, and thence on to New Caledonia. Although many of her ship-mates suspected she was really a woman, Marie-Louise Girardin defended her masquerade doggedly, even fighting a duel to defend her honour. It’s an extraordinary and little-known story, and Stephanie Parkyn does a brilliant job of bringing it to life. Marie-Louise’s grief at giving up her illegitimate child, her fear of her being unmasked, her confusion and longing are all made real and believable.
I was particularly interested in this book because it is set at the same time as my novel The Blue Rose (i.e. the French Revolution), and is mainly set on board a ship sailing from Europe to the other side of the world (I have quite a few scenes set on a sailing ship too!) Our heroes even stop at a few of the same ports. It’s always interesting to see how another author deals with similar material as oneself.
I really enjoyed Into the World and will be interested to see what Stephanie Parkyn does next.
I was particularly interested in this book because it is set at the same time as my novel The Blue Rose (i.e. the French Revolution), and is mainly set on board a ship sailing from Europe to the other side of the world (I have quite a few scenes set on a sailing ship too!) Our heroes even stop at a few of the same ports. It’s always interesting to see how another author deals with similar material as oneself.
I really enjoyed Into the World and will be interested to see what Stephanie Parkyn does next.
December 2, 2017
What an extraordinary adventure this novel offers its reader. Fiction inspired by fact, debut Australian author Stephanie Parkyn offers us a tantalising version of one woman’s history under the shadow of the French Revolution. When revolutionary Marie-Louise Victoire Girardin finds herself destitute and left with an illegitimate baby, she reluctantly leaves her newborn and sets sail disguised as a man to work as a steward on a ship commissioned for rescue and exploration in the Great Southern Ocean.
Now, all of this is historical fact: Marie – who she was and what she did, the ship, the mission, even many of the supporting characters. While the author has created a version of history that is fictitious, she does so with a level of authenticity that would be difficult to challenge. And this novel tells so much more than Girardin’s story. It’s an account of the French Revolution from the perspective of a revolutionary and a woman, oppressed and without rights entirely. It tells of early exploration of the southern ocean, such an incredible undertaking, in an era so early within the global history of exploration. I loved the replication of the miniature of life on a ship: diseased and rotting flesh, the rodents, the fetid water and vermin infested provisions; living in such close quarters for so long, enemies and friends alike. Stephanie has created an incredible story that I was hard pressed to put down each night.
The emotional investment I had in Girardin’s story was extremely high. The challenges of a woman disguised as a man being on board a ship full of men were not played down and it was this frank realism that set this story up for success. I enjoyed the relationships Girardin formed over the course of the journey and found myself frequently affected emotionally by these attachments. But it was most definitely Girardin’s observations of the journey and the places they encountered that elevated this novel to a unique height:
“They see us shoot their birds, take their water and chop down trees to mend our boats. We give nothing in exchange for that. She saw that no one, neither the officers nor the naturalists, understood. It did not occur to them to offer payment for their trespasses. To take the necessities of life from this land was as natural to them as breathing.”
Girardin’s position as an oppressed member of her own society seemed to afford her the clarity of observation that her fellow travellers were devoid of.
There wasn’t a page of this novel that I didn’t enjoy. Into the World is an excellent novel of historical fiction: based on enough fact to be plausible blended with enough fiction to ensure an engaging story right the way through. Stephanie Parkyn offers an exciting new voice to Australian literature and I am so looking forward to reading more from her in the future – very near future, I hope!
And now, to end, I will leave this review with my favourite line:
“The tide washes the beach clean every day.”
Thanks is extended to Allen and Unwin for providing me with a copy Into the World for review.
Into the World is book 73 in my 2017 Australian Women Writers Challenge.
Now, all of this is historical fact: Marie – who she was and what she did, the ship, the mission, even many of the supporting characters. While the author has created a version of history that is fictitious, she does so with a level of authenticity that would be difficult to challenge. And this novel tells so much more than Girardin’s story. It’s an account of the French Revolution from the perspective of a revolutionary and a woman, oppressed and without rights entirely. It tells of early exploration of the southern ocean, such an incredible undertaking, in an era so early within the global history of exploration. I loved the replication of the miniature of life on a ship: diseased and rotting flesh, the rodents, the fetid water and vermin infested provisions; living in such close quarters for so long, enemies and friends alike. Stephanie has created an incredible story that I was hard pressed to put down each night.
The emotional investment I had in Girardin’s story was extremely high. The challenges of a woman disguised as a man being on board a ship full of men were not played down and it was this frank realism that set this story up for success. I enjoyed the relationships Girardin formed over the course of the journey and found myself frequently affected emotionally by these attachments. But it was most definitely Girardin’s observations of the journey and the places they encountered that elevated this novel to a unique height:
“They see us shoot their birds, take their water and chop down trees to mend our boats. We give nothing in exchange for that. She saw that no one, neither the officers nor the naturalists, understood. It did not occur to them to offer payment for their trespasses. To take the necessities of life from this land was as natural to them as breathing.”
Girardin’s position as an oppressed member of her own society seemed to afford her the clarity of observation that her fellow travellers were devoid of.
There wasn’t a page of this novel that I didn’t enjoy. Into the World is an excellent novel of historical fiction: based on enough fact to be plausible blended with enough fiction to ensure an engaging story right the way through. Stephanie Parkyn offers an exciting new voice to Australian literature and I am so looking forward to reading more from her in the future – very near future, I hope!
And now, to end, I will leave this review with my favourite line:
“The tide washes the beach clean every day.”
Thanks is extended to Allen and Unwin for providing me with a copy Into the World for review.
Into the World is book 73 in my 2017 Australian Women Writers Challenge.
July 23, 2021
The narrator of this e-audiobook was quite good and easy to listen to.
A historical adventure tale based on a real person, Marie-Louise Girardin. The book describes life on board a ship and the journey to New Holland (Australia) and Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). French history is not really my cup of tea and the 1780s, French revolution doesn’t pique my interest enough to pick up more books by this author.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2021: #39 - Your favourite prompt from a past Popsugar Reading Challenge - (Popsugar 2020 - A book with a map)
A historical adventure tale based on a real person, Marie-Louise Girardin. The book describes life on board a ship and the journey to New Holland (Australia) and Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). French history is not really my cup of tea and the 1780s, French revolution doesn’t pique my interest enough to pick up more books by this author.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2021: #39 - Your favourite prompt from a past Popsugar Reading Challenge - (Popsugar 2020 - A book with a map)
December 4, 2017
This book was sent to me by the publisher at no cost.
The idea is that Marie-Louise Girardin has disgraced her family by having a baby out of wedlock (it's France in 1791) so she gives up her baby and dresses as a man to go on a sea voyage. Exactly why that’s the choice (why not stay dressed as a man somewhere on land?) isn’t really explained. Anyway she ends up at sea and then there are the sort of events you’d expect of this time and place. Added to this is that it’s based on a true story which is really very cool.
Whether you enjoy this book is going to depend a lot on what sort of book you want it to be.
It’s a fairly light book in that although some pretty awful things happen, they’re not dwelt on all that much. Although it’s about a woman disguising herself as a man and going on a many-years-long voyage, there’s not a lot of detail about that; mostly this is a book about relationships with a couple of the men on board. It’s quite fast paced (I read it in one dreary day) and it’s not taxing. I would say it’s a good book for the holidays, if you’ve got a bit of knowledge about the French Revolution and you’re after something that’s not quite a romance.
For me, I didn’t love it. I was expecting a bit more French Rev stuff. There was some but it was mostly in retrospect and didn’t always make sense in context. I was also expecting a lot more detail about the experience of the voyage itself. She’s got a position as steward but there’s hardly any information about working as the steward, about cooking on board the ship, about how you make rations last for as long as was necessary. There’s a few points at which the running of the ship is discussed, especially when there’s a storm, but really that’s it. I was a bit frustrated.
By the end I was a bit frustrated too by not knowing which bits were entirely fictional and which were based on reality. The afterword just mentions that there’s hardly any info about Marie-Louise Girardin, in which case I would have liked to know WHAT there is. But I understand this is pretty me-specific. Given that the voyage visits a lot of Pacific Islands I appreciated the Afterword acknowledging that it’s a European-centric view, because it supremely is and that’s a function of the story being told (exclusively from Marie-Louise's perspective), but if that sort of thing is getting your goat st the moment you'll want to avoid this.
I can imagine that a lot of people will enjoy this, it’s just not my thing. And that’s ok.
The idea is that Marie-Louise Girardin has disgraced her family by having a baby out of wedlock (it's France in 1791) so she gives up her baby and dresses as a man to go on a sea voyage. Exactly why that’s the choice (why not stay dressed as a man somewhere on land?) isn’t really explained. Anyway she ends up at sea and then there are the sort of events you’d expect of this time and place. Added to this is that it’s based on a true story which is really very cool.
Whether you enjoy this book is going to depend a lot on what sort of book you want it to be.
It’s a fairly light book in that although some pretty awful things happen, they’re not dwelt on all that much. Although it’s about a woman disguising herself as a man and going on a many-years-long voyage, there’s not a lot of detail about that; mostly this is a book about relationships with a couple of the men on board. It’s quite fast paced (I read it in one dreary day) and it’s not taxing. I would say it’s a good book for the holidays, if you’ve got a bit of knowledge about the French Revolution and you’re after something that’s not quite a romance.
For me, I didn’t love it. I was expecting a bit more French Rev stuff. There was some but it was mostly in retrospect and didn’t always make sense in context. I was also expecting a lot more detail about the experience of the voyage itself. She’s got a position as steward but there’s hardly any information about working as the steward, about cooking on board the ship, about how you make rations last for as long as was necessary. There’s a few points at which the running of the ship is discussed, especially when there’s a storm, but really that’s it. I was a bit frustrated.
By the end I was a bit frustrated too by not knowing which bits were entirely fictional and which were based on reality. The afterword just mentions that there’s hardly any info about Marie-Louise Girardin, in which case I would have liked to know WHAT there is. But I understand this is pretty me-specific. Given that the voyage visits a lot of Pacific Islands I appreciated the Afterword acknowledging that it’s a European-centric view, because it supremely is and that’s a function of the story being told (exclusively from Marie-Louise's perspective), but if that sort of thing is getting your goat st the moment you'll want to avoid this.
I can imagine that a lot of people will enjoy this, it’s just not my thing. And that’s ok.
December 12, 2017
Into the World by Stephanie Parkyn is historical fiction that’s both rich in fiction and character, delivering a memorable story of a woman named Marie-Louise, who dresses as a man and finds herself on a dangerous expedition around the world. I was swept away by the suspenseful storytelling as Marie-Louise battles not only the sea, but her self-confidence and self-respect, the attentions of suspicious sailors, and heart-sickness at leaving behind her child. Parkin deftly builds in themes of loss and discovery, of rebellion and betrayal, of love and duty, delivering a tale that lingers.
October 18, 2017
I was captivated by the fact that the main character Marie-Louise Giardin, is based on a real person who undertook a remarkable adventure for a woman in 1791. The story is set during the time of the French revolution and Marie decides to hide her identity and escape France as a crew member on the Recherche, one of two ships commissioned to journey to the Great Southern Ocean to find the missing explorer La Perouse. This book is a mix of historical fiction, adventure and mystery, rolled into one book and I appreciated learning a little more about this time period.
On the surface we read that Marie's escape is due to her having given birth as an unwed mother and that by escaping she hopes to gain her independence and eventually be able to return to France to be reunited with her son.
The book quickly becomes an adventure story as we read of the ships journey, Marie's efforts to disguise her identity and the many dramatic and often perilous events and interactions that occur both on board, and in various exotic ports of call.
Later however, we learn of Marie's past and not until the end is her true role in the French Revolution and her relationship to both the King and the revolutionaries, revealed.
Parkyn's descriptions of the crew's interactions with the various natives in different parts of the world and their scientific discoveries were fascinating and gave real insight into what went on. The first half gave a perspective on the length of the journey itself and the daily life of various crew members. Marie befriends the naturalists and often joins them on their explorations. She also faces danger as someone on board knows her real identity and her past. While the first half is a little long, it flows well and is very readable. Parkyn has obviously done her research and we learn much about the life of the expedition and the real life figures who gave their names to various islands in this part of the world e.g. Kermadec and Raoul.
The second half of the story races, and left me wanting to know more about Marie and her part in the French revolution. I would have liked a little more detail on the revolution itself.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction, it is a satisfying read.
I won a proof copy of this book in a Goodreads promotion giveaway, the book is due for release in December 2017.
On the surface we read that Marie's escape is due to her having given birth as an unwed mother and that by escaping she hopes to gain her independence and eventually be able to return to France to be reunited with her son.
The book quickly becomes an adventure story as we read of the ships journey, Marie's efforts to disguise her identity and the many dramatic and often perilous events and interactions that occur both on board, and in various exotic ports of call.
Later however, we learn of Marie's past and not until the end is her true role in the French Revolution and her relationship to both the King and the revolutionaries, revealed.
Parkyn's descriptions of the crew's interactions with the various natives in different parts of the world and their scientific discoveries were fascinating and gave real insight into what went on. The first half gave a perspective on the length of the journey itself and the daily life of various crew members. Marie befriends the naturalists and often joins them on their explorations. She also faces danger as someone on board knows her real identity and her past. While the first half is a little long, it flows well and is very readable. Parkyn has obviously done her research and we learn much about the life of the expedition and the real life figures who gave their names to various islands in this part of the world e.g. Kermadec and Raoul.
The second half of the story races, and left me wanting to know more about Marie and her part in the French revolution. I would have liked a little more detail on the revolution itself.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction, it is a satisfying read.
I won a proof copy of this book in a Goodreads promotion giveaway, the book is due for release in December 2017.
March 3, 2018
I decided to give this narrative the 5 stars it deserves and for the magnificent research which brought Marie-Louise Girardin’ s enduring odyssey true to life. I also marvel at the resilience Parkin bestows on Girardin and wonder at the many women of the times that unreservedly battle their way through the most perilous journey of all - emancipation!
January 14, 2018
This was a great page turner. Fact mixed with fabulous narrative - and, as I love, written by a woman from the perspective of a woman being in very much a man’s world. Bravo!
April 7, 2018
In this stunning debut, Parkyn takes her readers on a journey from the gardens of Versailles to the rugged coast of Van Diemen’s Land as a young mother ekes out a living to reclaim her abandoned child. The tale is full of lush detail but the plot remains compelling and and stakes seem to increase daily for protagonist Marie-Louise. Based on an extraordinary true story, this is escapist historical fiction as it’s meant to be – well-researched (but not over the top about it), immersive, adventurous and full of heart.
Read my full review at: https://wherethebooksgo.wordpress.com...
Read my full review at: https://wherethebooksgo.wordpress.com...
March 10, 2019
“The murky water stretched out between her and the shore, the gap becoming further than she could leap. The crowd roared louder. Women waved handkerchiefs. Children skipped like rats along the quay, running after the ships. Her heart lurched. Wait, she wanted to cry out to them, I am not ready! I am not ready to leave.”
Into the Worldis the exquisite first novel by Stephanie Parkyn, an environmental scientist and author. Her work has been shortlisted for the Scarlet Stiletto competition and RSNZ Manhire Award for Creative Science Writing. Originally from New Zealand, Stephanie now calls Launceston, Tasmania home. The book is a work of historical fiction, yet it is based on the solid foundation of real events and real people. Into the Worldis set during the French Revolution in France and at sea. It introduces us to Marie-Louise Girardin, an unwed mother and revolutionary who is desperate to escape the persecution and poverty of her tragic circumstances.
Most of the characters, including Marie-Louise, have been brought to life by the author from the translated journals of real people. Parkyn has expertly transformed them into fictional characters. A lot happens in the first few pages of the book. Marie-Louise is forced to give up her newborn son, Rémi, after she was cast aside by her violent father and step-mother due to the illegitimate pregnancy. Disguised as a man, Marie-Louise escapes Paris with the help of a friend’s son, and vows to one day return and reclaim baby Rémi.
Upon opening the book, the reader is presented with a hand-drawn map and a list of characters and their roles. So many characters,I thought, will I be able to keep up?Well… yes! The list is barely necessary, as the writing is sharp and flowing, and the map is merely an interesting visual reference. The chapters are short and engaging and the narrative progresses with great momentum and exciting clarity.
Reading the book is an adventure—it is a voyage across the greatly uncharted seas from France to Van Diemen’s Land, and the treacherous and exotic ports in between. And all the while, a terrified Marie-Louise Girardin poses as a man and fulfils her duties aboard the Rechercheas the ship’s trusted steward.
Stephanie Parkyn’s novel is undoubtedly inspiring, but it is also confronting. High-spirited and uplifting scenes are contrasted by the very real and ugly issues of the era: slavery, violence, poverty, and terrible social injustices. The authenticity may be confronting, but it is also riveting and breathtaking. But a depth of subtlety is also apparent when Marie-Louise is presented with a gift by a shipmate:
“‘We brought you a present,’ he said, dangling a green lizard by its long tail. ‘Like a chameleon,’ he added lamely, ‘it changes colours.’ He lifted it up in his hands.
The lizard stared at her with an all-knowing eye.”
Marie-Louise Girardin has been told her whole life that she is not beautiful or special in any way. And I did not need to look at her character’s picture on the cover of the book to know just how gorgeous she truly is. Into the Worldis riveting, and its depth and mastery of voice and character exceed my expectations of any debut novel.
Review written by Angela Wauchop for Backstory: http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/20...
Into the Worldis the exquisite first novel by Stephanie Parkyn, an environmental scientist and author. Her work has been shortlisted for the Scarlet Stiletto competition and RSNZ Manhire Award for Creative Science Writing. Originally from New Zealand, Stephanie now calls Launceston, Tasmania home. The book is a work of historical fiction, yet it is based on the solid foundation of real events and real people. Into the Worldis set during the French Revolution in France and at sea. It introduces us to Marie-Louise Girardin, an unwed mother and revolutionary who is desperate to escape the persecution and poverty of her tragic circumstances.
Most of the characters, including Marie-Louise, have been brought to life by the author from the translated journals of real people. Parkyn has expertly transformed them into fictional characters. A lot happens in the first few pages of the book. Marie-Louise is forced to give up her newborn son, Rémi, after she was cast aside by her violent father and step-mother due to the illegitimate pregnancy. Disguised as a man, Marie-Louise escapes Paris with the help of a friend’s son, and vows to one day return and reclaim baby Rémi.
Upon opening the book, the reader is presented with a hand-drawn map and a list of characters and their roles. So many characters,I thought, will I be able to keep up?Well… yes! The list is barely necessary, as the writing is sharp and flowing, and the map is merely an interesting visual reference. The chapters are short and engaging and the narrative progresses with great momentum and exciting clarity.
Reading the book is an adventure—it is a voyage across the greatly uncharted seas from France to Van Diemen’s Land, and the treacherous and exotic ports in between. And all the while, a terrified Marie-Louise Girardin poses as a man and fulfils her duties aboard the Rechercheas the ship’s trusted steward.
Stephanie Parkyn’s novel is undoubtedly inspiring, but it is also confronting. High-spirited and uplifting scenes are contrasted by the very real and ugly issues of the era: slavery, violence, poverty, and terrible social injustices. The authenticity may be confronting, but it is also riveting and breathtaking. But a depth of subtlety is also apparent when Marie-Louise is presented with a gift by a shipmate:
“‘We brought you a present,’ he said, dangling a green lizard by its long tail. ‘Like a chameleon,’ he added lamely, ‘it changes colours.’ He lifted it up in his hands.
The lizard stared at her with an all-knowing eye.”
Marie-Louise Girardin has been told her whole life that she is not beautiful or special in any way. And I did not need to look at her character’s picture on the cover of the book to know just how gorgeous she truly is. Into the Worldis riveting, and its depth and mastery of voice and character exceed my expectations of any debut novel.
Review written by Angela Wauchop for Backstory: http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/20...
January 3, 2019
This book was a Christmas gift. Reading the rear blurb, I commented, ‘Wow this sounds really good’. The gifter smiled, ‘Yes, I thought so too.’
Man were we wrong.
This book is a too-long, meandering, not-much novel, a book with the hallmark of a writer enamoured of a character but unable to weave a compelling story around her.
The author also didn’t clearly know her character, either, something which is very clear in the absence of character development (which happened in two unremarkable moments and then - Shazam! - on almost the last page), the reliance on poorly-written and badly placed flashbacks, and the simpering, pathetic absence of dialogue featuring the protagonist, which indicates that the author simply didn’t know how her character would react or respond.
It reminded me, in fact, of that other terrible book, Possession, by A.S. Byatt, a book that went on and on and on and never actually said anything worthwhile.
Into the World is a book that reeks of political correctness at every turn, and one may well suspect that its apparently “strong heroine” is the reason for it getting a good run.
The only saving grace in this work is the author’s natural affinity for writing about nature. She is not a character writer; she is not a drama writer; she has a deft touch with nature and a passable touch for suspense.
Despite my absolutely scathing commentary above, I have no doubt that if this author were to handle a character she feels as deeply as her own insides, and wasn’t restricted by “how we must portray things in the twenty-first century to keep all the sensitive babies happy”, then she would be a good writer.
But to do that takes an enormous amount of courage. Fingers crossed she finds it.
Man were we wrong.
This book is a too-long, meandering, not-much novel, a book with the hallmark of a writer enamoured of a character but unable to weave a compelling story around her.
The author also didn’t clearly know her character, either, something which is very clear in the absence of character development (which happened in two unremarkable moments and then - Shazam! - on almost the last page), the reliance on poorly-written and badly placed flashbacks, and the simpering, pathetic absence of dialogue featuring the protagonist, which indicates that the author simply didn’t know how her character would react or respond.
It reminded me, in fact, of that other terrible book, Possession, by A.S. Byatt, a book that went on and on and on and never actually said anything worthwhile.
Into the World is a book that reeks of political correctness at every turn, and one may well suspect that its apparently “strong heroine” is the reason for it getting a good run.
The only saving grace in this work is the author’s natural affinity for writing about nature. She is not a character writer; she is not a drama writer; she has a deft touch with nature and a passable touch for suspense.
Despite my absolutely scathing commentary above, I have no doubt that if this author were to handle a character she feels as deeply as her own insides, and wasn’t restricted by “how we must portray things in the twenty-first century to keep all the sensitive babies happy”, then she would be a good writer.
But to do that takes an enormous amount of courage. Fingers crossed she finds it.
March 21, 2020
Into the World
by
Stephanie Parkyn
Into the World was my first Stephanie Parkyn book. Set in the late eighteenth century it tells the story of an unwed mother, Marie-Louise Girardin, and the lengths she went to earn some money and return to Paris to find and raise her child.
Marie-Louise Girardin earned her income not through nefarious means, as some may think. Rather, she secured herself a stewards job on board a ship sailing for the Great Southern Ocean to find the missing explorer La Perouse who was sailing somewhere in the vicinity of Australia.
The thing that intrigued me was how did they know where to go as it was mentioned several times that any message sent would take around two years to reach ‘home’. And considering La Perouse did not wake one day and think he would get lost, eaten by cannibals or his ship would sink why send a message at all.
I enjoyed the story from an historical point of view which was long before I knew it was based on fact according to the audio version of Into the World. How Marie-Louise Girardin disguised her gender in that era, or any era for that matter, in an all-male environment, may have been stretched a little, however did make for a good story.
I think Into the World a solid 3 star read, or perhaps 3.5 stars for the historical aspect. However as a Goodreads half-star is impossible I will settle on 3 stars.
At the time of writing my review Goodreads readers have rated Into the World an average of 3.85 stars, from 162 ratings and 30 reviews.
by
Stephanie Parkyn
Into the World was my first Stephanie Parkyn book. Set in the late eighteenth century it tells the story of an unwed mother, Marie-Louise Girardin, and the lengths she went to earn some money and return to Paris to find and raise her child.
Marie-Louise Girardin earned her income not through nefarious means, as some may think. Rather, she secured herself a stewards job on board a ship sailing for the Great Southern Ocean to find the missing explorer La Perouse who was sailing somewhere in the vicinity of Australia.
The thing that intrigued me was how did they know where to go as it was mentioned several times that any message sent would take around two years to reach ‘home’. And considering La Perouse did not wake one day and think he would get lost, eaten by cannibals or his ship would sink why send a message at all.
I enjoyed the story from an historical point of view which was long before I knew it was based on fact according to the audio version of Into the World. How Marie-Louise Girardin disguised her gender in that era, or any era for that matter, in an all-male environment, may have been stretched a little, however did make for a good story.
I think Into the World a solid 3 star read, or perhaps 3.5 stars for the historical aspect. However as a Goodreads half-star is impossible I will settle on 3 stars.
At the time of writing my review Goodreads readers have rated Into the World an average of 3.85 stars, from 162 ratings and 30 reviews.
January 12, 2018
I received this as a Goodreads giveaway and apologize to be slow in getting my review posted but there has been ill health in the house and a family member in hospital . .
This was an interesting read, and I found it an easy read and learn't quite a bit about the French Revolution.
The opening chapters were riveting and I quickly warmed to the plight of Marie-Louise and was soon caught up in her adventures in the South Pacific At times I felt the middle of the book dragged a bit and was a bit repetitive and tedious , much as the life on a sailing ship would have been for everyone as they wanted to complete their mission and return home .
The inclusion of the map was helpful to trace the journeys and I loved the front cover.
The ending closed in quickly and the reader was left wondering, so I am hoping there will be a sequel to this book.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book , which will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys historical fiction .
I will be looking out for further books by this author .
This was an interesting read, and I found it an easy read and learn't quite a bit about the French Revolution.
The opening chapters were riveting and I quickly warmed to the plight of Marie-Louise and was soon caught up in her adventures in the South Pacific At times I felt the middle of the book dragged a bit and was a bit repetitive and tedious , much as the life on a sailing ship would have been for everyone as they wanted to complete their mission and return home .
The inclusion of the map was helpful to trace the journeys and I loved the front cover.
The ending closed in quickly and the reader was left wondering, so I am hoping there will be a sequel to this book.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book , which will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys historical fiction .
I will be looking out for further books by this author .
January 21, 2018
"Into the World" by Stephanie Parkyn Estella a story of Marie-Louise Girardin, who in the middle of the French Revolution births her lovers child, forced to abandon the infant & takes a job as a steward on a ship bound for new holland (Australia)
I did like this book, I wish we could give half stars. 3.5 from me. This is inspired by a true story, and I do love my historical fiction. I loved hearing about the ships different encounters on the islands around the South Pacific. It's fascinating reading a book that takes place during that time in a country you live in. M-L is an easy character to connect with and care about. Essentially you want her to find happiness, find her child again and have a good life despite the political uproar in France. I did feel it was a tag but slow at parts, but that's minor nit picking. I'm very happy that I picked this book up from the library. It's an historical journey, a feminist journey and one that will take you to the wildest destinations on earth and make give a glimpse of what life was like then.
I did like this book, I wish we could give half stars. 3.5 from me. This is inspired by a true story, and I do love my historical fiction. I loved hearing about the ships different encounters on the islands around the South Pacific. It's fascinating reading a book that takes place during that time in a country you live in. M-L is an easy character to connect with and care about. Essentially you want her to find happiness, find her child again and have a good life despite the political uproar in France. I did feel it was a tag but slow at parts, but that's minor nit picking. I'm very happy that I picked this book up from the library. It's an historical journey, a feminist journey and one that will take you to the wildest destinations on earth and make give a glimpse of what life was like then.
December 12, 2022
A thrift shop pick up, this book was a detailed fictional account of one of France’s early exploration voyages of Australia and the South Pacific through the eyes of historic figure, Marie-Louise Girardin (a woman disguised as a man striving to survive a treacherous journey).
With the backdrop of the novel being the French Revolution and the overthrowing of King Louis XVI, I found this book to be educational and entertaining. The story wasn’t always compelling and the open-ending didn’t feel like the payoff readers needed/wanted. All the same, I’m enjoying expanding my reading collection with some South Pacific authors and stories.
With the backdrop of the novel being the French Revolution and the overthrowing of King Louis XVI, I found this book to be educational and entertaining. The story wasn’t always compelling and the open-ending didn’t feel like the payoff readers needed/wanted. All the same, I’m enjoying expanding my reading collection with some South Pacific authors and stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2025
It's not often I have to stop myself from reading a book too quickly because I'm enjoying it so much, but that's exactly what I had to do with this novel.
It's the late 1700s, Marie-Louise Girardin, unwittingly caught up in a plot to bring down King Louie XVI, flees France leaving her baby son behind. Disguised as a man she joins the crew of the Recherche determined to save enough money to eventually return to France and reclaim her son.
I haven't posted a review for years, but I enjoyed this novel so much I had to. For me, Stephanie Parkyn brought history to life. A wonderfully gripping read.
It's the late 1700s, Marie-Louise Girardin, unwittingly caught up in a plot to bring down King Louie XVI, flees France leaving her baby son behind. Disguised as a man she joins the crew of the Recherche determined to save enough money to eventually return to France and reclaim her son.
I haven't posted a review for years, but I enjoyed this novel so much I had to. For me, Stephanie Parkyn brought history to life. A wonderfully gripping read.
May 23, 2022
Abandoned by her lover and fleeing the wrath of her family, Marie-Louise must make a desperate choice. Find a man or become one.
In the midst of the French Revolution, unwed mother Marie-Louise Girardin takes one last look at her baby son before entrusting him to her friend, the revolutionary Olympe de Gouges. She must escape, and only the most daring plan will bring her both the anonymity she needs and the independence to return one day for her son.
Marie-Louise disguises herself as a man and joins a voyage of exploration employed as a steward on the Recherche, one of two ships commissioned to journey to the Great Southern Ocean to find the missing explorer La Perouse
In the midst of the French Revolution, unwed mother Marie-Louise Girardin takes one last look at her baby son before entrusting him to her friend, the revolutionary Olympe de Gouges. She must escape, and only the most daring plan will bring her both the anonymity she needs and the independence to return one day for her son.
Marie-Louise disguises herself as a man and joins a voyage of exploration employed as a steward on the Recherche, one of two ships commissioned to journey to the Great Southern Ocean to find the missing explorer La Perouse
June 27, 2023
Welll written about the time of the French Revolution. I liked the way that Marie -Louise Girardin was woven into historical novel to make her come really alive. The trials that this lady went through were amazing and that T the end she was in charge of whT happened to her. WhT a horrible time toi e when women were treated as whores and chattels for men to use however they liked. How incredibly a used women were just the thought of being pregnant and unmarried to be treated like dirt and thrown out of families etc..I really enjoyed the book and the telling of this time in history
February 20, 2018
Many other reviewers have mentioned that this historical novel is based on the life of Marie-Louise Girardin, and the facts and people included in the story are a good jumping off point to explore further. The exploration of New Holland and the surrounding islands is fascinating history, and the French played a large part. If you are planning a trip to Tasmania, you might especially enjoy this book.
April 16, 2018
I found this book interesting and engaging - right up until the last 40 pages or so when the plot became rushed and rather contrived. The overall pleasure I otherwise derived from the novel suffered a little as result. The rest of the novel opened up an interesting part of history from the perspective of an unusual character. I don't think the author really ever captured why the protagonist did what she did but her adventure certainly was a story worth exploring
February 6, 2022
I gorged myself on this book, much like Marie-Louise with the pineapple. Recreating eighteenth-century life in all its squalor, its the setting in Into the World that's romantic.
Parkyn combines some truly beautiful descriptive language with sumptuous settings, characters so engaging that you'll be moved by their fate, and an incredible sailing adventure across the globe.
She's done her homework, too. These people were real figures in history. Parkyn gives life to Girardin's herstory.
Parkyn combines some truly beautiful descriptive language with sumptuous settings, characters so engaging that you'll be moved by their fate, and an incredible sailing adventure across the globe.
She's done her homework, too. These people were real figures in history. Parkyn gives life to Girardin's herstory.
February 10, 2018
This was an unexpected enjoyable read. I don't read much historical fiction these days because I often find it too soppy but this was a gritty, fascinating read both of historic gender wars and also first contact wars. Whether its revolutionary Paris or pre-colonised Pacific islands, Ms Parkyn has created a great story for us...even if I don't approve of the end.
March 25, 2020
Enjoyable enough to keep me reading but not the ending I hoped for and a lot of my favourite characters were never properly explored or were killed off early on.
Felt like the writing was quite simplified too and overly repetitive for my taste.
In saying all that though it’s definitely not a bad read. Just not my fave :)
Felt like the writing was quite simplified too and overly repetitive for my taste.
In saying all that though it’s definitely not a bad read. Just not my fave :)
January 5, 2021
Wow, what a Great Read/Adventure that was!!
Stephanie writes a historical novel that not only makes you feel like your right there in the story but also sends you off googling the events and people in the story!
I feel bereft to have finished this story and gone straight to Josephine’s Garden to pick up where this novel finishes!
Stephanie writes a historical novel that not only makes you feel like your right there in the story but also sends you off googling the events and people in the story!
I feel bereft to have finished this story and gone straight to Josephine’s Garden to pick up where this novel finishes!
July 6, 2022
I'm not sure where to start with this one.The plot is somewhat intriguing enough that you keep reading till the end but i found the set of characters disappointing to say the very least.This book also had the tendency to portray men as some braindead beasts who all fall for a female -however illogical irrespective of age and actual reason?- after a year or two on the ship together.
April 13, 2025
A beautifully written historical novel inspired by the true story of Marie-Louise Girardin, an unwed mother who, during the French Revolution, disguises herself as a man to serve as a steward on a voyage to the South Pacific. Stephanie skilfully blends fact and fiction, painting a vivid picture of 18th-century maritime life and the challenges faced by a woman navigating a male-dominated world.
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