The Boy with Blue Trousers

by Carol Jones

On the goldfields of 19th-century Australia, two very different girls are trying to escape their past.

1856, China.
In the mulberry groves of the Pearl River Delta, eighteen-year-old Little Cat carries a terrible secret. And so, in disguise as a boy in blue trousers, she makes the long and difficult passage to Australia, a faraway land of untold riches where it is said the rivers run with gold.

1857, Australia.
Violet Hartley has arrived off the boat from England, fleeing scandal back home. Like the Chinese immigrants seeking their fortunes on the goldfields, Violet is seduced by the promise of a new frontier. Then she meets Little Cat, a woman who, like her, is trying to escape her past.

As their fates inextricably, devastatingly entwine, their story becomes one of freedom, violence, love and vengeance, echoing across the landscapes of two great continents.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Australia, China, Romance, Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

The Concubine's Child, set in 1930s Malaya, was my first novel for adults. It was inspired by twenty-five years of annual visits to Malaysia to stay with my partner's family. The Boy with Blue Trousers , set in China and Australia, is my latest historical fiction. Previously, I have written more than thirty books for younger readers.

Born in Australia, I have spent most of my life in Melbourne, working as an English and drama teacher and as an editor of children's magazines. I have been a full-time writer since 1999.

You can find out more about my work at
http://www.caroljonesauthor.com/ or follow me on instagram @caroljonesauthor

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★s

Seventeen-year-old Little Cat and her twin, Second Brother knew the silk was their future – but more was needed. The mulberry trees were plentiful, the silk woven from the cocoons kept them busy from dawn to dusk. But their father needed more land. The family adjacent to their property, wealthy landowner Wu, could lease them more. Little Cat was best friends with the daughter, Siu Wan – but lifestyles would go the way the parents and elders wanted them to…

When Little Cat was put in the path of destruction, her only choice was to flee from her hometown in Kwangtung. Second brother had been planning to head to the goldfields in Australia to make money for the family. But it would be Little Cat who boarded the ship and disguised as a boy with the new name of Strong Arm, she headed for her new life, not aware that someone intent on killing her was following.

The arrival at Robetown in South Australia; the walk behind a bullock team with more than two hundred other Chinese; the goldfields of Victoria – all held dangers for Strong Arm. But it was Violet Hartley, governess from Robetown who had joined the journey, who concerned her the most. The bullock driver, Lewis Thomas, was a kind man but what could he really do in a dispute of cultures…

The Boy With Blue Trousers by Aussie author Carol Jones is an excellent historical fiction novel which is set in Southern China and southern Australia (South Australia and Victoria) in the 1850s. I wasn’t taken with Violet at all, but I enjoyed Little Cat’s feisty character a lot. The difference in cultures is vast; the need for vengeance in the Chinese families, even if the person killed was in the wrong is horrible. Hopefully things have changed! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a pretty book. I adore the cover.
The writing inside is exquisite and alluring so much so it becomes addictive after a while. In a good way.

It’s a very complex read with cultural class interwoven.

Two women who are fleeing.

Difficulty
Needing to flee their homeland
Passage to Australia
Secrets

But neither women know each other.....
Yet.

Little Cat is not a girly girl and knows Kung fu moves from her twin brother.
But in her culture it doesn’t fit, it’s not apt.

Women are women and men are men
Women do women’s jobs
Men do men’s jobs.

But fate and circumstances change to danger.

The cultural differences, the almost poetic writing was enthralling.

It’s not my usual type of read but I have to say I really enjoyed you.

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A Unique, Inspiring, Captivating Historical Read.

Oh wow what a Unique, Captivating, Poignant Historical Read!

Two very different women wanting the same thing, to be free and to be themselves.
So they both escape, where there paths will cross, on their journey to Australia.

Little Cat feels like she is undervalued as she is a girl.
She can do the same as her Twin brother, fight like him, do the same work, but she will never be equal.
Living in China, her parents and culture believe women shouldn't do the jobs of men.
They want her to become a lady and settle with a husband.
But that's not Little Cat, she wants more.
So she hatches a plan to escape disguised as a boy!
Unfortunately for her, she is about to walk the path to danger!

Violet is a governess, and she too is running away from her past.
The two women meet on their journey to escape.

The Boy with Blue Trousers is such a unique, captivating and inspiring read, that follows two women on their path of Self Discovery, freedom, sacrifice, but facing adversity, sexism, culture.
The setting descriptions are superbly written.
The Characters are beautifully created, very endearing, strong, courageous, determined and relatable.
I loved that there was an air of suspense and danger lurking pretty much the whole way through it added another layer of depth.

Overall The Boy with Blue Trousers is
a totally absorbing historical fiction that's beautifully written and is told with such depth and emotion that will Touch your heart and keep you turning the pages till the early hours.

Thank you to Head of Zeus for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.





My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...

[Naaytaashreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"One day you may find, little sister," pronounced her brother, "that the price of freedom is too high... even for you."

I did not know what to expect coming into this book.
I was not disappointed at all.
There was so much thrill, suspense, danger and action in this book.

It was a slow burn in the beginning. Understandable, as you need to really know the story line of Little Cat for the plotline to really get into.
Surprisingly, the intertwine of both of the women life does not come quickly until later on in the book.
The issues of the book focus on culture, family, sacrifice, freedom and especially sexism.
Both two lead character are strong and want to live their life of their own.
During that era, women are only told to marry, cook and have children.

I love Little Cat character. She is such a badass.
I mainly enjoy her storyline.
Her journey was emotional.

I wasn't so drawn into Victoria's storyline until her life was intertwine with Little Cat.
The ending of the book got me emotional.
I think historical fiction has a rule that author has to make readers cry.
The writing of the book is detailed and just draws into the story.

[Elvina Zafril · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is inspired by the true event in 19th Century where the Chinese immigrants who were landed in Australia and had to walk a few hundred miles to get to goldfields.

Little Cat and her family run silk but they need more land. They need to make money. Little Cat twin brother had been planning to go to Australia to make money but the one who headed there was Little Cat. Little Cat disguised as a boy and changed her name to Strong Arm. As she headed to her new life, she didn’t realize that someone was following her and had an intention to kill her.

Upon arrival at Robetown, South Australia, Little Cat had to walk behind the bullock team with other two hundred immigrants from China to goldfields of Victoria.

Violet Hartley is the governess from Robetown teaching French to two children James and Alice. She had joined the journey along with other immigrants to take up the position after the scandal involving her previous employer in England.

This story is told in turn from the POV of the two female characters and I enjoyed them especially Little Cat because she’s feisty! Both are strong female and the characters are well developed.
My favorite characters in this book are Little Cat and Lewis Thomas, the bullock driver. I loved that this book is full of action and it kept me turning the pages.

The Boy with blue Trousers by Carol Jones is an amazing historical fiction which set in China and South Australia in 19th century. Highly recommend!

Thank you, Pansing for sending me a copy of The Boy With Blue Trousers in return for an honest review.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the opportunity to read and review another fabulous book from Carol Jones.

What could be the connection between a teenage girl living in the Pearl River Delta of China in 1856 and that of a young English woman 25 years old in the same era living in Robetown Sth Australia. The reader will see that both are not your usual compliant females of this era, rather they are feisty, independent and have great determination. I loved and identified with both of them. This is a time so difficult for such women, who did not want to be chained to a man for a life of servitude, (in Little Cat's case the husband's family as well) with little future other than producing children and in many cases watching them die in childhood.

Little Cat (Mo Lin Fa) along with her siblings works hard in the family's small silk business for which in her designated duties she rebels against. Along with her twin brother (Mo Wing Yong) she practices Martial Arts, which is frowned on now possibly due to her age and her diminutive size compared to her now larger brother. Big Wu is the clan leader with son known as Young Wu. Without understanding why, Young Wu, an only child finds himself strongly attracted to the twins and is forever seeking their company. An incident occurs during a festival where at the river a rescue takes place by Little Cat, her brothers and Young Wu. This incident starts a chain of events involving Little Cat who ultimately finds herself on a ship with a different name to the Australian Goldfields.

On the other side of the world in Robetown, Violet Hartley is a governess teaching French to two children James and Alice. Violet has travelled to Australia to take up this position after a scandal involving her previous employer in England. Violet already 25 both parents are dead and she is fully aware that time is running out for her to find a husband and security for herself but not any man, rather one with money as Violet loves fine clothes and has desires to be more of a "lady". Considering where she is living now on a sheep and cattle farm, a backwater and little opportunity to meet men of good standing it's only when a particular attractive incentive presents itself and subsequent events with Lewis Thomas, the bullock driver who arrives at the homestead that Violet finds herself yet again dismissed from her position. With only a small amount of coin in her pocket she now realises that a further change is necessary, away from the small town gossip and so she ventures on the overland journey to the goldfields along with the Chinese including Little Cat.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★
It's 1856, and in the Pearl River Delta village of Sandy Bottom, feisty 18yo Little Cat is considering becoming a self-combed woman; putting her own hair up to proclaim herself a spinster who will not be beholden to any man. But her life takes a dramatic turn when she comes to the attention of the village's most powerful man, and she finds herself on her way to the New Gold Mountain (the Victorian goldfields) disguised as a man.

Meanwhile, in Robetown, a small coastal settlement in South Australia, Violet Hartley has arrived from London to take up the position of governess to the two Wallace children. It's a welcome escape from the pressures and gossip of her old life in London, but Violet is always on the lookout for the next best thing. She has an idea that Welsh bullocky Lewis Thomas might be part of a better future and sets out to catch his eye, at the expense of her attention to the children. Violet is dismissed at the same time as a ship arrives from Hong Kong, offloading hundreds of Celestials to avoid paying the ten-pound tax imposed by the Victorian government on all Chinamen arriving in that state.

Thus Violet joins Lewis' expedition to lead the Chinese workers to the Victorian goldfields, where she hopes to find either a new position or a husband, or both. Along the way, Lewis takes a trouble-prone young Chinese man under his wing, making Violet jealous. Perhaps her feelings for Lewis are stronger than she realised?

This story is told in turn from the POV of the two female characters, and I enjoyed them equally. Both women are strong and well-developed, and it's easy to empathise with their situations. There is a lot of action and sufficient tension to keep the plot moving along at a good pace. Where I think the novel faltered was where the two stories - and two characters - came together. It seemed there was a sudden level of enmity that came from nowhere.

I also found it a little difficult to get involved in the beginning of Little Cat's story because I couldn't keep track of the minor characters, who were referred to by their names, or by their positions and sometimes just by endearments or nicknames. A list of characters at the start of the book may have helped with this. But once the action started to move away from Sandy Bottom, this problem disappeared and I was engrossed for the rest of the story.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC to read.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
The Boy with Blue Trousers is a stimulating journey across the seas, taking the reader from the silk groves of China, through to the port destination of Robetown in South Australia, and finally to the fateful western goldfields region in Victoria. It is an eventful tale that interlocks the lives of two very different women, Little Cat and Violet, as they both negotiate a world that does not welcome unconventional women.

Opening in 1850s China, around the Pearl River Delta, a young woman who has just come of age named ‘Little Cat’, has to escape the sanctity of her family’s silk trade to a land afar. Little Cat has a devastating secret, and in order to save her life, she embarks on an adventure across the other side of the world. To obtain this safe passage to the wilds of Australia, Little Cat must change her identity. She becomes ‘Strong Arm’ or ‘the boy in blue trousers’. Once she lands in Australia, Little Cat is headed for the goldfields, where she hopes the riches of the earth will deliver her security and safety. Meanwhile, another young woman has recently settled in Australia, with high ambitions. Violet Hartley has come from England in a bid to escape her past. Violet becomes a governess on a sheep station, but this comes with problems. This situation leads Violet into the pathway of Little Cat and together they attempt to extradite themselves from their troubled pasts. The Boy with Blue Trousers is a hooking tale of chance, opportunity, danger, risk, aspiration, love, adventure and retribution. It follows the colourful lives of two contrasted women, who have much more in common than they first realise.

The Boy with Blue Trousers is the second novel I have read by Carol Jones. A strong cultural storyteller, the latest historical fiction piece from the very talented Carol Jones charmed me from start to finish. With the emphasis on two protagonists, across two continents, The Boy with Blue Trousers offers the reader a double edged tale, that enthralls from the first chapter to the final sentence. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience the writing of Carol Jones all over again, it was sensational.

There is quite a full cast in The Boy with Blue Trousers, but Carol Jones really zones in on the life and times of her two female leads, Little Cat and Violet. These two women appear vastly different from the onset. However, as the book progresses, it begins to dawn on the reader that these two women represent the lived experience of a female, of any culture or locale, during the 1800s. Life was indeed tough for all women during this time, especially for those who dared to exercise a level of independence. Although Violet in particular wasn’t always entirely an agreeable character, I appreciated her journey, as well as her attempts to fight for the direction she wanted her life to take. Heartbreaking and emotional, both Little Cat and Violet’s stories will get under your skin.

Carol Jones weaves a rich tapestry of experiences, from the east to the west. She seamlessly moves her story in gentle waves, from the delicate mulberry groves in China, through to the harsh wilds of Australia’s goldfields. Each scene is fully fleshed out by Jones and it leaves a strong impression on the reader. I was captivated by the sights, sounds, smells and varied experiences of the Pearl River Delta in China, through to breezy Robetown in South Australia and the dusty plains of the goldfields. Informed by on the ground extensive research conducted by the author, this is a vivid narrative for the audience to contend with

The Boy with Blue Trousers has an undercurrent of suspense and this helps to compound the intense atmosphere of the unfolding tale. An incident in the past involving Little Cat, which results in her dangerous journey to the other side of the world, disguised as a young man, plays out well in this novel. There is a strong sense of dread, as we know our lead is on borrowed time, she must pay for a dreadful mistake and the avenging family are consumed by retribution. This aspect of the novel moved me and although I was on tenterhooks, it transformed the novel into an exemplary title.

What made The Boy with Blue Trousers both deeply authentic and moving was the fact that this story is informed by the experiences of the pioneers of the Goldfields. The Chinese, who came to our shores in search of riches and opportunity, quickly found after their long voyage across the seas that they faced an immense trek. This hard journey was completed on foot. The experience must have been been a true test to the spirit of these pioneers. It was an eye opening, as well as an educative segment of history to be introduced to, thanks to the work of Carol Jones.

The Boy with Blue Trousers is a story of relationships, good and bad, friendships, bonds, love, disappointment, ill choices, loyalty, determination, aspiration and sacrifice. This sharply told novel from Carol Jones would easily captivate all historical fiction fans. Highly recommended.

*I wish to thank the author, Carol Jones, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

The Boy with Blue Trousers is book #97 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge

[~Sofia~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.

This is a book about culture, friendship and hardship. A plot that explores China and Australia set in the year 1856, bringing two characters together in extraordinary circumstances.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The two cultures described in this book are fascinating bringing two polar opposites of the world together in one engaging book, you get a remarkable insight especially into Chinese culture with the character Little Cat who has these funny little quips of thought that made me laugh throughout.

Jones brings these characters to life by making them real people with real thought processes. I love a tale with a strong female lead and I was in my element as this has two of them. It is exciting and enthralling and is a great adventure. With characters you will love this book is a joy to read.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read The Concubine’s Child by Carol Jones and fell in love with her writing. Her latest release, The Boy with Blue Trousers, is equally as captivating. It’s like she’s gently carved out her own new sub-genre: cultural historical fiction.

“‘It takes a hundred rebirths to ride in the same boat, a thousand to share the same pillow.’ So it was said. One day it would be their time. Even if it took ten thousand thousand years, one day they would find each other again.”

There are two entirely different heroines within this novel. It was a bit like taking a road trip with Mulan and Becky Sharp (Vanity Fair) – two characters from stories I highly revere. The balancing of two vastly different characters such as Little Cat and Violet was very well done by the author. Violet herself was not particularly likeable all the time, but she was plucky and resourceful, traits that were required if you were going to carve out a new life in the colonies as a single young woman. Little Cat was beyond brave, I loved following her journey, which had a suspenseful aspect to it that kept me fairly on the edge of my seat. There is a wealth of both Chinese and early Australian gold rush history to be discovered within this novel. I enjoyed this story immensely and highly recommend it.

Thanks is extended to the author for providing me with a copy of The Boy with Blue Trousers for review.
A copy was also provided by HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Carol Jones’s previous novel, The Concubine’s Child, set partly in 1930s Malaysia. What I particularly admired about the book was the rich cultural detail. The same is true of The Boy With Blue Trousers, especially in the early sections set in the Pearl River Delta where the reader is immersed in daily life in a small village – its inhabitants’ social customs, spiritual beliefs and traditions. Not to mention the fascinating information about the farming of silkworms!

Unlike The Concubine’s Child there is no modern day story running alongside the historical narrative, instead The Boy With Blue Trousers switches two or three chapters at a time between the stories of Little Cat and Violet Hartley. Both women have reason to flee their past and the constraints of social expectations. For me, the story of Little Cat was the most powerful and compelling because she faced the greater adversity and jeopardy. I couldn’t engage quite as fully with Violet’s story although I liked her independence of spirit. Her sense of realism about her position as a single woman and what might be necessary to enhance it was, if not admirable, at least refreshingly honest.

From the beginning, the reader is aware the two storylines will converge but not how. The intriguing prologue provides an extra layer of anticipation and the author skilfully manages the coming together of the two stories in order to keep the reader turning the pages.

The Boy With Blue Trousers will delight fans of historical fiction with its compelling story of love, duty, sacrifice and vengeance, and its wealth of cultural detail.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘They had been friends of a sort once.’

The 19th century goldfields of Australia provide the setting for this absorbing novel. Two very different young women escaping from their pasts and the roles which society has decreed for them. The family of Mo Lin Fa (known as Little Cat) has a small silk producing business in the Pearl River Delta of China. Her brother is to leave China for the Australian goldfields, where the money he will make will help the family grow their business.

‘She could only hear the scorn in their voices. ‘Women don’t leave our shores!’ said Elder Brother.’

But it is Little Cat who will leave China. Disguised as a male, she flees for her life after an incident results in the death of an important clan leader. In Robe, South Australia, Violet Hartley has fled from scandal in England to take up the role of a governess to two children. Violet is aged twenty-five and wants to find a husband and security.

The paths of Violet and Little Cat cross in Robe where the Chinese are landed. The Chinese must walk overland to the goldfields and Violet, dismissed from her position as governess, joins the group. Violet has her eye on Lewis Thomas, the bullock driver who will accompany the Chinese to the goldfields.

Will Violet get ‘her’ man? Will Little Cat find a new life? The son of the clan leader has followed Little Cat to Australia, determined to avenge his father. Violet is suspicious of the delicate looking Chinese boy, and suspicion turns into jealousy.

I enjoyed this novel. While both women were strong and were trying to forge their own paths, I admit that I much preferred the character of Little Cat. Ms Jones has taken characters from very different cultural settings and brought them both to life in nineteenth century Australia. While Little Cat and Violet are the major characters, there are several well-developed secondary characters who are an important part of the story.

The story combines both adventure and romance in a well-developed historical setting.

Highly recommended.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Carol Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and its characters have been with me for a long time, so I have to give them the thumbs up now that they are finally out in the world.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy with Blue Trousers by Carol Jones

Historical multicultural story of love, honor, family and so much more. Two women from opposite corners of the world end up far from home in Australia. Both are doing their best to survive and hopefully thrive. Both have dreams and desires, wishes and hopes, pasts to run from and futures to embrace. How they arrive in Australia and then find the direction they will move into the future is a beautifully written enthralling story that kept me reading without stop from first page through last.

Little Cat wants more than she believes she will find in the Chinese village she grew up in. She has been at her twin brother’s side so much that she has learned to fight, listened to stories and has dreamed of “something more”. She has enjoyed her life in the village, has friends, loves her family and contemplates never marrying but instead is searching for that “something more” she dreams of. One day something happens that changes her life drastically. To save herself and her family she undertakes the journey to the gold fields in Australia taking the path that was supposed to have been taken by her twin brother instead. There is a man bent on vengeance on her trail and it is a close call for her more than once in this story.

Violet Hartley is a governess that ran into a spot of trouble in England. When offered the opportunity of a new life in a new country she grabbed it and headed to Australia. She has big dreams that are destroyed, again, by circumstances that occur while doing her job. Not wanting to ever give up and still clinging to her dreams she heads out on the same trail that Little Cat and many other Chinese immigrants will take hoping that when she reaches her destination her future will become clear and she will prosper.

What I liked:
* The descriptions of life in China with the women talking, the families interacting, the expectations mentioned and the “feel” of the culture as it was presented in the story
* The characters – well developed and easy to relate to
* The story – swept me up and drew me in
* That it wasn’t easy for anybody...not really
* The men in the story – Young Wu, Lewis, Little Cat’s brothers, Big Nose, Uncle Wu…
* The cultural aspects of the story
* Pretty much everything, really

What I did not like:
* The baddie that caused Little Cat to flee
* Not knowing what became of Little Cat’s twin brother (is his story to be told in another book?)
* Having to say goodbye when the book ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Jaelyn Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Jones being an Australian got her research done through many primary sources , including trips to China. Since she is married to Malaysian' Chinese, it has given her the opportunity to capture each character and story that combines the Asian and western culture.

This story was set in the 1800 between a Celestial Country (China) and a western country Australia. The title "Ths Boy with Blue Trousers" truly caught my attention, and to my suprise it was net even a boy to begin with.This story makes you imagine on how both the countries was in the 1800.

Little Cat was her name and she was 18, who mischievous and courageous. Travelling from China to Australia to seek wealth to help her sibling back at home. And according to her, choosing the right mother in law might be a more reliable predictor for future happiness rather that choosing the right husband.

I would want to highlight the artwork for the book cover, simple and beautiful.

A passage from the book that I would to share:

"What's a gold digger?", asked James, gazing from one adult to another. It's someone looking to make his fortune, she said. Someone following his destiny. Someone willing to do whatever he must together whether desired. And that would be anyone who wished to better his lot. Including a blue trousers celestial braving a strange new land far from the Middle Flowery Kingdom.Or indeed a muslin-clad governess, half a workday from London.

[Magpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ .. intriguing tale of the interaction between a British couple, one an enterprising Welsh drover, the other an unemployed governess and a duo of ‘celestials’- the name given to Chinamen seeking their fortune on the goldfields of Victoria 1857.
Strong arm is on the run, a girl disguised as a boy, fleeing from an unfair punishment for a crime that was self defence.
Young Wu has followed her from China, tasked with vengeance but fighting his obsession with this tall, skinny obviously lying lower class girl.
Interesting ending

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy with Blue Trousers is an absorbing historical read, highlighting women's incredible endurance and strength in forging their own paths. Told between a silk producing village on China's Pearl River Delta and the South Australian township of Robe in the 1800s, the novel is an unconventional, feminist take on the Australian gold rush, with a cracking dose of adventure and romance. Readers should note triggers for attempted suicide, murder by battery and sexual assault.

Eighteen year old Little Cat bucks against the way daughters are supposed to behave, her bravery and temper finding release in martial arts, despite disdain from her twin brother and his friend Young Wu. But when her skills save her from a worse fate, she must embark on a voyage that will test her courage beyond measure. At the same time, Violet Hartley - banished from tutoring the ton's children in London - is stationed with the Wallace family in Robe as a governess. When boatloads of 'Celestials' begin arriving, bound for the Victorian goldfields, she has no idea how they will change her life, and her quest to win the heart of bullocky Lewis Thomas. The novel is ultimately a story of how these women try to survive, and a commentary on the pressures and expectations women of all nationalities experienced.

Jones is equally skilled at evoking the South Australian and Victorian desert as she is a small silkworm village in China, crafting neatly polished sentences that drip with stunning imagery. The world of the novel is one to become fully immersed in; our two narratives don't intersect until well past the halfway point, but this allows us to see both Little Cat and Violet as whole people, and fully understand their lives and motivations when they do encounter one another.

I was surprised by the romance of this story - it becomes far more prevalent towards the end - but also charmed by it. Jones deftly blends the adventure/chase elements with the romance aspects, and the balance worked well for me. However, the romance never detracts from the point Jones is making about how constrained women's lives were - while Little Cat aspires to live a spinster's life, we watch Violet pursue Lewis with a determination that would have been unseemly at the time. Both are following unconventional paths, both are dealt difficult hands in life and and both refuse to quit. I was impressed that neither is a saint either - both women stand as flawed, real characters.

I also appreciated the complexity of Young Wu's character. Initially I found him unbearable, but Jones gives us an insight into his perspective, and I enjoyed watching his worldview evolve throughout the story.

Some of the novel's greatest moments are when cultures collide - I was intrigued by the way Jones portrayed English/Australian perceptions of the Chinese migrants (especially Lewis verus Violet's reactions), while the Chinese characters rarely think of the English/Australian behaviours beyond what they must to survive. This imbalance is one of the many subtle ways Jones shows the power dynamics and divides at the time.

Overall this is a fascinating, immersive delve into the goldrush experience, and a wholly satisfying read.

Recommended if you liked: Into the World

I received an advanced copy of The Boy with Blue Trousers from Harper Collins Australia and the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy With Blue Trousers set in China and Australia during the 1850s is highly engaging historical fiction. From paddy fields to goldfields, this is the story of two young women who, for differing reasons, are escaping one life in search for a new one. When the rules of two culturally different societies force these women to rise above the life often dictated to them at the time.

There are some interesting issues going on, testament to Carol certainly having done her homework. With themes of race, family, societal expectations, gender status, starting anew - there is much on offer for the reader. I very much enjoyed both the European and Chinese gender role descriptions for both male and females as they play out between the four leading couples. I also found Carol’s writing of place and time to be very evocative - whether it be a village in China or the Victorian desert - the reader is transported easily through the detail and imagery provided.

Both female leads are given over half the novel to develop their characters which works well. As Little Cat and Violet face their own dilemmas, you are given a complete picture of their motivations and struggles. Although I appreciated Violet’s story, I was not a fan and far more enjoyed Little Cat with both the literal and inner journey she found herself on. There are also many well developed secondary characters who play crucial roles, even if in the initial stages, they play an important role in the story as a whole. I particularly enjoyed Young Wu and how cleverly Carol gave us crucial insight into his thoughts that assisted us appreciating his evolution throughout the tale.

If you are looking for a unique immersion into a classic goldrush story, then The Boy With Blue Trousers will certainly capture your attention. With an in depth look into two cultures history surrounding the event, I definitely recommend this book.

‘This thought threatened to bring tears to her eyes but she squeezed the lids tight and fought them back. She could not afford to draw attention to herself. She needed to blend in, to become just another boy in blue trousers bound for New Gold Mountain.’




This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

[Alexis (hookedtobooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @tlcbooktours and @headofzeus for sending me a copy of @caroljonesauthor book! -
This book was fun and interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It takes place during the 1850s in both China and Australia, and looks at two different journey to the outback in search of better fortunes.
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Little Cat is living in her small village in China, where she helps with her families silk production and spinning. After certain events unfold, she is forced to escape to Australia to make her families fortune in the gold mines. Also traveling to Australia is Violet, who is hoping to make a fresh start after her reputation is ruined in England! Both women are forced to make some tough decisions in order to try to make a better life!
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This book deals with a lot of complicated issues, such as family loyalty, race, as well as the drive for social mobility in a colonial society! I found it interesting how Violet was treated because of rumours that circulated, and made me think of how frustrating it is that a mans reputation is not treated the same way. I cannot comment on how race was necessarily dealt with, being a white female, but I did enjoy learning about another culture and a piece of history that includes a different narrative other than just the European perspective! Definitely recommend!

[Emily Hussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing and well-researched story. Kept me captivated, such that I kept reading long after I should have been doing other things.

[Elite Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of two cultures colliding.

Mo Lin Fa, better known as Little Cat, is determined to be treated as equal to her brothers. However, under Chinese culture during the 1800s this is impossible to expect even if she can fight like a man thanks to her twin brother, Mo Wing Yong’s training.

Her eldest brother, Wing Keong wants to marry Siu Wan. Unfortunately, his parents do not have the money to pay for this marriage. Wing Keong’s only way to find the money is to join the many thousands of Chinese men who are travelling to Australia to dig for gold.

Little Cat is forced to take his place after a very serious incident which would have seen her facing arrest for murder. She must disguise herself as a young man to join the many as they journey to the goldfields.

A scandal caused Violet Hartley to flee England and find work as a governess with the Wallace children, Alice and James in Robetown. She meets Lewis Thomas, a bullocky who travels with his team of bullocks and cart between the goldfields and Robetown. It’s his task to guide the Chinese when they arrive in Australia to the goldfields as they disembarkation is in Robetown. When Violet’s employment ends abruptly, she begs him to let her accompany him to the goldfields.

I’m giving the novel four stars based on the storyline following Little Cat. Carol Jones’ research for this novel’s authenticity of both the Chinese culture Little Cat lived under, and the part the Chinese played in Australia’s history. Any author who has me searching the internet for more information on a subject wins my vote as being brilliant. It’s well worth reading of their impact on Australia then and now.

Someone like Lewis Thomas would also have played a huge part in helping the Chinese reach the goldfields. However, I found other parts of the story and the characters quite dismal and farfetched, namely the pages devoted to Violet.

Treebeard

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to the super pretty cover but the premise sounded interesting too. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres. It then lurked on my TBR for almost 2 years and I finally decided to read it last week. Since I bought it, there have been several controversies regarding authors writing about things they don't have firsthand experience of. Personally, I think this is a bit bollocks. If the writers have done the requisite homework and research then I don't see why they can't write about anything they want. I mean if you use that logic, then each gender would not be able to write in the voice of the others, ie men couldn't have women characters, etc. Or they could only write about writers. If we've always accepted those things, then why not transgender or race as well? Sure, it would be great to have a personal experience, but isn't that what biographies are for? We need to calm down and just judge the writing in itself, not the writers.

Anyway that was my two cents. However, perhaps that cancel culture permeated me to some degree because when I realised this was a non-Chinese person writing about Chinese culture, I felt compelled to look her up. Turns out Jones is married to a Malaysian Chinese of Cantonese descent. Fair enough, she has a great source of info and vetting. I then dived right into it.

What I found was truly delightful historical fiction. Even though I am Chinese by birth, I myself don't profess to being an expert in the culture because I was brought up in a Western-influenced home. However, I know enough to feel that Jones' portrayal of village life is believable. She employs lots of the idiosyncrasies of the Chinese language in her prose, which I appreciate. Her prose itself is smooth and better than most. I love the character of Little Cat and felt very invested in her story. Violet was not so likeable being modelled on Thackeray's Becky from Vanity Fair, who is a very grating personality. Violet does redeem herself at the end though.

Some may find the ending too neat, but I loved it. It was very satisfying and felt right.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1856, on the Pearl River Delta in China, and Little Cat is tired of picking leaves for the ungrateful silk worms. She'd rather be "trading punches with her brother, listening to gossip in the girls' house or daydreaming under the nammu trees." Each member of her family has a role to play and a job to do to keep the family silk business and the family fed. Little Cat and her twin Second Brother were friends with Young Wu, the son of the wealthy landowner, who held their future in his hands. Second Brother decides the only way to acquire more land for his family is to travel to New Gold Mountain in Australia and prospect for gold. Much to the chagrin of Little Cat, Second Brother gains the support of the Mo elders who guarantee money for his passage. Little Cat finds herself in the position of having to flee her hometown and pleads with Second Brother to take her with him.

It's 1856, in Robetown, South Australia, and Violet Hartley is governess to the children of a wealthy family. Violet has fled from her home to South Australia under questionable circumstances. She's young, beautiful, and on the lookout for a wealthy husband. When one of the children in her charge dies and she is dismissed from her position without references or money, she begs to accompany two hundred Celestials on a perilous journey to the goldfields. Reviewed at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogs...

[Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the true 19th-century story of thousands of Chinese immigrants who were landed in a tiny Australian port and had to walk hundreds of miles to the goldfields, The Boy With Blue Trousers is a moving tale of a young Chinese woman who dresses as a boy to escape a powerful family intent on vengeance. From the mulberry groves of China to the strange new land across the ocean, she must not only deal with the enemy who hunts her, but the beautiful yet untrustworthy Englishwoman whose fate becomes entangled with hers. At heart a love story, it's fast paced and packed with action to keep you turning the pages.

[Kirsty ~ Paper Hearts Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-wrenching story told from the perspective of two fierce females; Little Cat and Violet. Both are faced with hardship and forced into roles befitting of the time.

This story was a journey of discovery, love, and strength. I adored Little Cat and the slightly more prickly Violet. The writing was wonderful but didn’t shy away from difficult subjects. It transported me to both China and Australia within the space of a few chapters.

Be prepared for a slow burn but it’s totally worth it! There was so much magic in these two characters and I’m so glad I read this book.


Thanks to Head of Zeus for the review copy

Actual rating 4.5 stars

[Kit Kwok · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute pleasure to read. Thank you Carol Jones.

The Boy With Blue Trousers is a truly unique tale. Clearly some very thorough research was put into writing this.

Loved Little Cat! A true warrior!

[Sasha ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my tbr for a long time so I'm glad I finally had the chance to read it!

Carol Jones sets up a two-plotline story with Little Cat, a young woman in rural China who ends up having to flee her home after a terrible incident. Cat is feisty and resilient but also short-sighted and irresponsible, and the inciting incident proves to be both her undoing and her making when she's forced to disguise herself as a boy and go to Australia to escape her past.

I really enjoyed the setting of Little Cat's life, how she chafes against tradition and she's brave and dedicated, like saving her best friend from drowning and striving to move forwards in life no matter what challenges go her way. You get the feel the author did her research on the setting and place where Little Cat's story starts.

However, Violet's parts of the book weren't as enjoyable for me because I didn't like Violet. Her sections are all like, "And Violet batted her eyelashes and adjusted her posture to highlight her coquettish silhouette, yet she was chagrined that the gentleman wasn't paying attention". She spends the entire novel being relentlessly vain and selfish and I get what the author was going for - Violet is in a precarious financial situation and must secure some kind of fortune for herself after being driven out of England thanks to scandal, which is a sympathetic motive...only for her to neglect the children under her care, flirt with her boss's husband and then acted all Surprised Pikachu when the little boy dies because Violet had to stop and flirt and then Ms. Wallace boots her out. Like, what exactly was Violet expecting? But the book treats Mrs. Wallace like she's being evil and petty instead of a grieving mother lashing out at the woman who was likely the one who got her son sick. At no point did I feel any sympathy for Violet when she was so relentlessly self-centred and weirdly entitled for someone who grew up underprivileged.

I feel what drags down this book is it gets a little soap-opera-ish towards the end, with constant "Oh no, he loves her!" "Gasp! She's dead! Wait, she's alive!", etc. Plus it beggared belief how these characters kept conveniently finding each other in the Australian wilderness. I know sometimes plot contrivances have to happen in stories but it started to get kind of ridiculous. Plus there's an emotional flatness to this book that stops me engaging too deeply in it. It will say, "Violet dashed a tear from her eye" but at no point did I feel anything the characters allegedly felt.

Also, this is yet another goddamn historical fiction novel that relies on rape as a plot device. I mean, to be fair, I'm willing to give this book a little more leeway on the matter because a lot of women (especially poor) were indeed victims to predatory men and had little in the way of laws to protect them, but it does still feel kind of exploitative, even though at least in this book the consequences are explored in depth and at no point does anybody say what happened is okay. The book is also kind of inaccurate in its summary because it implies Little Cat and Violet meet and their fates intertwine but they aren't actually that involved and they also hate each other on sight for some reason.

Rating: 3.5/5

[Rhoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for a free kindle version of this book! I also have a beautiful paperback version of this on its way to me.

Set in the 1850s, Little Cat is having to escape China to the Australian goldfields in place of her brother in order to increase their family’s fortunes....and to save her own life following an unfortunate incident.

At the same time, Violet has arrived from England as a governess after fleeing scandal and is determined to find herself a husband and a comfortable life in Australia.

The lives of these two strong women intertwine and the story is told between both of their perspectives.

I really enjoyed Little Cat’s story and was intrigued by her life in China before she set out on her journey to Australia. I did not care for Violet’s character and was not as interested in her part of the story.

I was fascinated by the true aspects of the story, which included the Chinese prospectors having to walk hundreds of kilometers to the goldfields....and Violet patronizing the American Hotel in Creswick, which I’ve been to!

Overall I very much enjoyed the book and gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twins, Little Cat and Second Brother are sparring again. He is teaching his sister kung fu and their cousin, Young Wu, watches. The family have a silk business, unwinding the cocoons. Everyone owes Big Wu, either their land, house or life. And he collects. Suddenly Little Cat is forced to run for her life, protected by Second Brother. Disguised as a boy she makes her way to the New Gold Mountain. Will she make it or will her secret be discovered? Will she make a new life in the country of the ghost people? Victoria Hartley is a governess until one of her charges dies. The mother blames her and forces her to leave by spreading gossip which turns the village against her. She makes the trip to New Gold Mountain with a bullock driver. Will she find safety and a new life?
An interesting read, plenty of description of a young Australia. It can get confusing as some of the main characters are either called their family name or their nickname. But it's a very enjoyable read.

[Jane Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up in the library and it was surprisingly good! A very simple yet readable tale of a Chinese girl (Cat) who accidentally kills the Chinese "chief" of her village, in self defence, but is sought down by the man's son for vengeance. The girl has to escape to Australia in the hope of finding gold so that she can send it to her family who will face terrible recriminations for her murder and escape.

The time period of the novel is the 19th century when Chinese males had shaved heads and a single plait. They also wore blue trousers.

Meanwhile, in Australia, Violet is the governess to 2 children. But she is attracted to the man who takes the Chinese expats to where the gold is - for a fee. She accompanies him on one of his trips - much to his chagrin - where she encounters the "boy" with blue trousers.

Both Violet and Cat's paths cross and their stories unfold to the end.

This would make a great holiday book but it certainly cheered me on these dark, winter days.