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The Angel of Waterloo
The powerful new novel from master storyteller Jackie French
The soldiers called her the Angel of Waterloo ... Henrietta Bartlett, the esteemed surgeon's daughter who was born on a battlefield, lost her mother on a battlefield, and was widowed on the battlefield, where she worked alongside her father on that fateful day in June 1815.
But after the carnage of war, Hen dreams of peace, and her own home, and a society that would allow a woman to practice medicine.
The new and faraway colony of New South Wales seems a paradise, where even convicts have a chance of a good life, and the Indigenous women are eager to teach Hen their vast knowledge of medical lore. But as the fallout of Europe's wars casts its dark shadows in the colony, Hen must work hard to find her place in this new country ...
The soldiers called her the Angel of Waterloo ... Henrietta Bartlett, the esteemed surgeon's daughter who was born on a battlefield, lost her mother on a battlefield, and was widowed on the battlefield, where she worked alongside her father on that fateful day in June 1815.
But after the carnage of war, Hen dreams of peace, and her own home, and a society that would allow a woman to practice medicine.
The new and faraway colony of New South Wales seems a paradise, where even convicts have a chance of a good life, and the Indigenous women are eager to teach Hen their vast knowledge of medical lore. But as the fallout of Europe's wars casts its dark shadows in the colony, Hen must work hard to find her place in this new country ...
Audiobook
First published December 1, 2020
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About the author
Jackie French
304 books864 followersJackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 14, 2020
Another fabulous read from this acclaimed author. Jackie French never disappoints.
From the Napoleonic Wars, Battle of Waterloo the reader is first introduced to Henrietta (Hen) Gilbert,15 years old and her father, a surgeon attached to the army. Bodies are everywhere Hen is assisting her father in trying to save as many lives as possible. She has been at her father's side and her mother's, when she was alive for as long as she can remember. One of the young men her father attends to, Sgt. Drivers recognises her from a previous campaign. This is an incident when remembering happier circumstances that she is saddened by her father's decision that the man's wounded leg must be removed. His choice; the leg is removed and he lives or it stays and he dies. This decision has great bearing on Sgt. Driver's life and later on when Hen, in a new life is reacquainted with him.
As the fighting subsides Surgeon Gilbert leaves to look for more wounded on the battlefield leaving Hen alone. A Lieutenant is brought to the post for the surgeon's attention. Lieutenant Leowine Maxwelton Bartlett on seeing Hen's golden hair remarks that he has seen an angel and as events unfold, Hen after attending to his arm receives a marriage proposal from him. Rather bemused she accepts and is even more bemused that her father condones the arrangement. A priest is found to perform the marriage.
There is a cannonball explosion, Hen is thrown by it and sleeps for two days after being given Laudanum. On searching for her new husband amongst the dying and the dead she is informed that he has been killed.
Finally Hen and her father return to England where life is boring for her but peaceful. Her father receives the top position of Superintendent of Hospitals, earning him a good wage. His investments have also done well so that they will always be comfortably off. On his sudden death, now with no family Hen decides to find Max's family.
Initially she is not welcomed by his mother, believing that she is a gold digger, however as a forthright young woman, Hen rebukes the mother declaring that she probably is wealthier than her. Hen is then accepted by Max's mother who informs her that he isn't dead and that on believing Hen was dead, in a depressed state of mind sailed to New South Wales (the name of Australia is yet to be adopted) to start a new life. With this news Hen makes arrangements to also sail to NSW to find her husband. Not surprisingly given the time to travel, twelve months or more by sail boat, on arrival Hen's life becomes more and more complex not only by her marriage status as she still needs through circumstances to remain as a widow even with Max alive. NSW is a pretty lawless settlement, governed by the value of Rum, pardoned convicts continue along their previous lifestyles and it's certainly not a place for a young woman by herself. However, with solid friendships made on the sea voyage Hen begins her new life with courage and determination loving the personal freedom and the vastness of her new country.
From the Napoleonic Wars, Battle of Waterloo the reader is first introduced to Henrietta (Hen) Gilbert,15 years old and her father, a surgeon attached to the army. Bodies are everywhere Hen is assisting her father in trying to save as many lives as possible. She has been at her father's side and her mother's, when she was alive for as long as she can remember. One of the young men her father attends to, Sgt. Drivers recognises her from a previous campaign. This is an incident when remembering happier circumstances that she is saddened by her father's decision that the man's wounded leg must be removed. His choice; the leg is removed and he lives or it stays and he dies. This decision has great bearing on Sgt. Driver's life and later on when Hen, in a new life is reacquainted with him.
As the fighting subsides Surgeon Gilbert leaves to look for more wounded on the battlefield leaving Hen alone. A Lieutenant is brought to the post for the surgeon's attention. Lieutenant Leowine Maxwelton Bartlett on seeing Hen's golden hair remarks that he has seen an angel and as events unfold, Hen after attending to his arm receives a marriage proposal from him. Rather bemused she accepts and is even more bemused that her father condones the arrangement. A priest is found to perform the marriage.
There is a cannonball explosion, Hen is thrown by it and sleeps for two days after being given Laudanum. On searching for her new husband amongst the dying and the dead she is informed that he has been killed.
Finally Hen and her father return to England where life is boring for her but peaceful. Her father receives the top position of Superintendent of Hospitals, earning him a good wage. His investments have also done well so that they will always be comfortably off. On his sudden death, now with no family Hen decides to find Max's family.
Initially she is not welcomed by his mother, believing that she is a gold digger, however as a forthright young woman, Hen rebukes the mother declaring that she probably is wealthier than her. Hen is then accepted by Max's mother who informs her that he isn't dead and that on believing Hen was dead, in a depressed state of mind sailed to New South Wales (the name of Australia is yet to be adopted) to start a new life. With this news Hen makes arrangements to also sail to NSW to find her husband. Not surprisingly given the time to travel, twelve months or more by sail boat, on arrival Hen's life becomes more and more complex not only by her marriage status as she still needs through circumstances to remain as a widow even with Max alive. NSW is a pretty lawless settlement, governed by the value of Rum, pardoned convicts continue along their previous lifestyles and it's certainly not a place for a young woman by herself. However, with solid friendships made on the sea voyage Hen begins her new life with courage and determination loving the personal freedom and the vastness of her new country.
February 28, 2021
This wrung the life from me. But also: Wow!
Jackie French's historical fiction is always amazing. (I'm sure her other work is too, but I don't read it.)
Someone said about the story that it's basically a romance. I guess ... if you choose to ignore all the main themes? Come back later for my compare and contrast of war in Europe and invasion of Australia, and other feminist themes. When I've stopped sobbing in the corner.
To the cover: why is Hen naked apart from her jaunty hat? Yes it's a beautiful painting and I guess angels would be naked...
Jackie French's historical fiction is always amazing. (I'm sure her other work is too, but I don't read it.)
Someone said about the story that it's basically a romance. I guess ... if you choose to ignore all the main themes? Come back later for my compare and contrast of war in Europe and invasion of Australia, and other feminist themes. When I've stopped sobbing in the corner.
To the cover: why is Hen naked apart from her jaunty hat? Yes it's a beautiful painting and I guess angels would be naked...
January 7, 2021
Not my normal read but I was totally captivated by this epic story and was sad when it ended.
From the chaos of the Battle of Waterloo 15 year old surgeons daughter Hen tends to the wounded soldiers gaining the nickname the Angel of Waterloo, starting a roller coaster ride of adventures ending in the Australian outback.
The main character Hen is a strong Woman a born leader and a gifted herbalist and is happiest treating
the poor street urchins rather than dining with the elite.
The second half of the book is set mainly In Sydney Australia with its poor convict citizens who are not much more than slaves, who do you trust when everybody is a criminal.
From the chaos of the Battle of Waterloo 15 year old surgeons daughter Hen tends to the wounded soldiers gaining the nickname the Angel of Waterloo, starting a roller coaster ride of adventures ending in the Australian outback.
The main character Hen is a strong Woman a born leader and a gifted herbalist and is happiest treating
the poor street urchins rather than dining with the elite.
The second half of the book is set mainly In Sydney Australia with its poor convict citizens who are not much more than slaves, who do you trust when everybody is a criminal.
May 5, 2021
I enjoyed this book a lot at the start but less and less as it progressed. Waterloo and it’s aftermath was interesting, but I found Hen’s perfection in every situation, especially her atypically enlightened approach to interaction with the Indigenous population, was increasingly implausible. By the end I was just annoyed with her.
July 16, 2021
I very much admire Ms French's meticulous research, but like the Lily series, I feel that she puts her characters at the service of history, instead of creating them as real people and then letting them grow naturally through the story. The result is heroines like Henrietta, who never came fully to life for me.
In her acknowledgments at the end of the book, Ms French talks about having to change the ending at the last minute.
In her acknowledgments at the end of the book, Ms French talks about having to change the ending at the last minute.
November 26, 2020
https://denisenewtonwrites.com/?p=2346
The Angel of Waterloo has plenty of unexpected moments that kept me eager to read on. I warmed to Hen and truly wished her happiness in her adopted country. Lovers of Jackie French’s historical novels will find this an engrossing read.
The Angel of Waterloo has plenty of unexpected moments that kept me eager to read on. I warmed to Hen and truly wished her happiness in her adopted country. Lovers of Jackie French’s historical novels will find this an engrossing read.
May 7, 2021
I enjoyed this book but I found the ending very frustrating.
The ideas presented in the book were interesting.
The ideas presented in the book were interesting.
May 28, 2024
Would have been a 5 star from me if not for that ending. Whyyyyy.
June 7, 2021
An excellently researched and written account of one woman from the battlefields of Waterloo to 19th century colonial Australia. Hen (not Henrietta) is a surgeon’s daughter at Waterloo, practising vital surgery on the battlefield. She travels to Australia in search of the husband she married at Waterloo whom she had believed to be dead. And that, really, is where the historical romance ends and it becomes the story of a woman with intelligence and an open mind who seeks to make the new colony a better place whilst learning from the native inhabitants. She is most at ease in the rural property she runs for her husband (there is a back story to all that). This is extremely readable but also has a lot to say to Australians of today. One observation really sticks in my mind. Early Australia was made up of criminals and land grabbers and that has impacted on the nation’s psyche. I said I probably wouldn’t read another Jackie French novel after ‘A Waltz for Matilda’ which I thoroughly enjoyed but I’m glad I did read another one. Australian historical fiction from a feminist perspective!
January 13, 2021
Another captivating novel from the brilliant Jackie French. One which I hope might be the start of a saga such as the Matilda series.
Once again, the author uses the results of meticulous research to present an imagined, complex story with realistic characters which the reader grows to love or despise. I thought I knew about the early settlement days in Sydney but had not thought much about what was happening elsewhere in the world at the same time. This book presents links to the battle of Waterloo in 1815 and how it may have impacted on the new arrivals to the Sydney colony in the years following.
There is also a focus on the unjust treatment of Aborigines - the taking of their lands, the massacres, the imposition of white culture on them (a bit like the "radicalisation" we hear about and abhor today)
Henrietta Bartlett is another strong female character who faces discrimination against her gender and her profession. A lot happens to "Hen" in the ten years following her experiences assisting her surgeon father on the fields of Waterloo as a 15 year old. There are highs and lows, friends and enemies, acceptance and denial, and lots of determination and dreams.
A wonderful read. Highly recommended.
The soldiers she saved called her the Angel of Waterloo.
The husband she loved and lost called her Hen.
The patients she treated in secret called her Auntie Love.
She was Henrietta Bartlett, a surgeon's daughter, a survivor of the Napoleonic Wars. But now the battlefield is just a blood-soaked memory, and Hen dreams of peace, a home, and a society that allows women to practise medicine.
On the other side of the world, the newly founded colony of New South Wales seems a paradise. But Europe's wars cast long shadows ...
From bestselling author Jackie French comes the story of one woman's journey from the hell of Waterloo to colonial Australia, where she can forge her own dreams in a land of many nations.
Once again, the author uses the results of meticulous research to present an imagined, complex story with realistic characters which the reader grows to love or despise. I thought I knew about the early settlement days in Sydney but had not thought much about what was happening elsewhere in the world at the same time. This book presents links to the battle of Waterloo in 1815 and how it may have impacted on the new arrivals to the Sydney colony in the years following.
There is also a focus on the unjust treatment of Aborigines - the taking of their lands, the massacres, the imposition of white culture on them (a bit like the "radicalisation" we hear about and abhor today)
Henrietta Bartlett is another strong female character who faces discrimination against her gender and her profession. A lot happens to "Hen" in the ten years following her experiences assisting her surgeon father on the fields of Waterloo as a 15 year old. There are highs and lows, friends and enemies, acceptance and denial, and lots of determination and dreams.
A wonderful read. Highly recommended.
The soldiers she saved called her the Angel of Waterloo.
The husband she loved and lost called her Hen.
The patients she treated in secret called her Auntie Love.
She was Henrietta Bartlett, a surgeon's daughter, a survivor of the Napoleonic Wars. But now the battlefield is just a blood-soaked memory, and Hen dreams of peace, a home, and a society that allows women to practise medicine.
On the other side of the world, the newly founded colony of New South Wales seems a paradise. But Europe's wars cast long shadows ...
From bestselling author Jackie French comes the story of one woman's journey from the hell of Waterloo to colonial Australia, where she can forge her own dreams in a land of many nations.
August 11, 2021
This was a bit of a disappointment. Very bleak for a French novel. Jumpy and all over the place and seemed unsure of where it wanted to go right till the last page.
We spend inordinate amounts of time in one place only to skip years in the next chapter, leading to the final resolution feeling rushed.
The main character isn't particularly well-drawn; she's supposed to be a sort of feminist who knows her own mind but... she doesn't though.
There's a great deal of modern thinking imposed on the characters from the 1800s which takes away a bit of my suspense of disbelief.
Overall lacking in the warmth I associate with French's novels. Even when she's handling dark material, her books are typically very warm. This one felt cold, distant, and rushed.
We spend inordinate amounts of time in one place only to skip years in the next chapter, leading to the final resolution feeling rushed.
The main character isn't particularly well-drawn; she's supposed to be a sort of feminist who knows her own mind but... she doesn't though.
There's a great deal of modern thinking imposed on the characters from the 1800s which takes away a bit of my suspense of disbelief.
Overall lacking in the warmth I associate with French's novels. Even when she's handling dark material, her books are typically very warm. This one felt cold, distant, and rushed.
January 4, 2021
An enjoyable read with many reminders of some of the inequities and terror inflicted on people in the early years of Australias settlement. Starting with the carnage of Waterloo, I liked the way the author drew lessons from this era that partly explained some of the darker passages of Australian history.
Essentially a romantic drama the book has a wonderful protagonist you can easily like and a colourfull set of support acts. The story gives insights into this era in Australia and has a definite air of authenticity.
Well worth reading.
Essentially a romantic drama the book has a wonderful protagonist you can easily like and a colourfull set of support acts. The story gives insights into this era in Australia and has a definite air of authenticity.
Well worth reading.
November 23, 2021
Look I’m a big Jackie French fan so my expectations were high. I loved this book. Engrossed for hours. Fully immersed in wherever Jackie was leading . It’s an incredibly well researched book. Ticks all the boxes. So much more than a romance. It’s a snapshot of pioneer Australia with all its courage and goodness as well as the baser side of humans . It’s heartbreakingly honest at times and pregnant with integrity. In my opinion Jackie French is one of the greatest authors of all time. I highly recommend this to anyone .
July 7, 2025
Ah - Jackie French!
What am I supposed to read after this magnificent novel? And why can't I give it more stars?
I think perhaps you've outdone yourself. But then that's how I feel every time I finish one of your novels.
And I love the generosity of Jackie's acknowledgements too, because it really does take a village to ensure that a story shines as brightly as this one does.
Do yourself a favour, dear readers, and put this on the top of your TBR pile.
What am I supposed to read after this magnificent novel? And why can't I give it more stars?
I think perhaps you've outdone yourself. But then that's how I feel every time I finish one of your novels.
And I love the generosity of Jackie's acknowledgements too, because it really does take a village to ensure that a story shines as brightly as this one does.
Do yourself a favour, dear readers, and put this on the top of your TBR pile.
January 4, 2021
In the style of her Lily novels, some interesting characters, the historical details are interesting and add a layer to what otherwise is essentially a romance novel.
Read
August 9, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Attempted murder
Medical treatment & procedures
Amputation mentioned
Death of a husband in an explosion
Napoleonic War
Attempted murder
Medical treatment & procedures
Amputation mentioned
Death of a husband in an explosion
Napoleonic War
January 31, 2021
Another audiobook. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one. I associate Jackie French with cooking and gardening tips and illustrated children’s books about cute Wombats. The book-cover, an apparently naked young woman in a “sky scraper” hat, seemed to promise titillating light entertainment, but it was a historical novel and, be it ever so bad, that was more tempting than anything else among the library’s available audiobooks in the moment when I borrowed it.
I thought it was brilliant! Hen Gilbert, aka Mrs Henrietta Bartlett, aka Mrs Henrietta Bartlay, is a strong and compelling central character. The novel begins at the Battle of Waterloo, where her surgeon father takes charge of retreating soldiers to create a haven of comparative safety by building walls of bodies in a defensible square, within which he, the 15 year-old Hen, and an assistant can attend to the wounded. The defensive square becomes a powerful symbol later in the novel.
After an interlude of prosperity, mourning, and frustrating idleness, Hen’s life takes a dramatic turn which brings her to the colony of New South Wales, which for a young woman with independent ideas and especially for the aborigines is another battlefield. Her father had taught her that you must focus on doing the best you can for the people in front of you, and no good can come of blaming oneself for the suffering that it is beyond your power to relieve.
Surgeon Gilbert makes a large part of his fortune, which Hen will inherit, from the bodies on the battlefield of Waterloo; it is a fact as macabre as the defensive square of piled bodies which provided the haven of security within which the work of saving lives could proceed. That same fortune forms the defensive squares within which Hen tries more than once to hold together a world in which the most vulnerable, particularly street children and the natives, may find safety. She does what she can with what she has, and tries to make a life for herself and those she loves.
French is a gifted storyteller, but this is something much more than an entertaining story. Just as the narrative appears to be cruising towards a predictable but quite satisfactory happy ending, Hen’s world explodes in violence which transforms everything, and somehow transfigures the story into a compelling metaphor of human life, suffering, and survival. If this novel (published December 2020) doesn’t carry off a swag of book prizes this year and in years to come, then I will lose all respect for book prizes.
Such a pity about the malapropos cover illustration!
I thought it was brilliant! Hen Gilbert, aka Mrs Henrietta Bartlett, aka Mrs Henrietta Bartlay, is a strong and compelling central character. The novel begins at the Battle of Waterloo, where her surgeon father takes charge of retreating soldiers to create a haven of comparative safety by building walls of bodies in a defensible square, within which he, the 15 year-old Hen, and an assistant can attend to the wounded. The defensive square becomes a powerful symbol later in the novel.
After an interlude of prosperity, mourning, and frustrating idleness, Hen’s life takes a dramatic turn which brings her to the colony of New South Wales, which for a young woman with independent ideas and especially for the aborigines is another battlefield. Her father had taught her that you must focus on doing the best you can for the people in front of you, and no good can come of blaming oneself for the suffering that it is beyond your power to relieve.
Surgeon Gilbert makes a large part of his fortune, which Hen will inherit, from the bodies on the battlefield of Waterloo; it is a fact as macabre as the defensive square of piled bodies which provided the haven of security within which the work of saving lives could proceed. That same fortune forms the defensive squares within which Hen tries more than once to hold together a world in which the most vulnerable, particularly street children and the natives, may find safety. She does what she can with what she has, and tries to make a life for herself and those she loves.
French is a gifted storyteller, but this is something much more than an entertaining story. Just as the narrative appears to be cruising towards a predictable but quite satisfactory happy ending, Hen’s world explodes in violence which transforms everything, and somehow transfigures the story into a compelling metaphor of human life, suffering, and survival. If this novel (published December 2020) doesn’t carry off a swag of book prizes this year and in years to come, then I will lose all respect for book prizes.
Such a pity about the malapropos cover illustration!
January 26, 2023
There were lots of things I loved about this book. I was pulled in by the vivid opening scenes, Hen's determination and the sudden battlefield romance. I wanted to know what happened next up until about two thirds of the way through the book.
I had suspected that Max might have been alive, but was thoroughly convinced he was gone by the time he reappeared. That was a surprise I enjoyed. I felt similarly about his wife, Elizabeth - her existence was not unexpected but added important dimension to the book.
My issues started when Elizabeth Bartlett dies. I was worried that she would be killed off just to make way for the romance of Hen and Max. Following on from this, the massacre of the Indigenous women felt contrived and reminded me of a similar scene from The Secret River. The scene felt unimportant and unneeded in the story, which is a shame. If it had to be included, it needed more care and attention.
I was somewhat content with the story from here, though Max constantly changing his mind was frustrating. I was also unconvinced by Hen's random mentions of affection for Sergeant Drivers, a man several years her senior and who had held a knife to her throat.
I willingly suspended my disbelief for all of it, though, until the ending. Ok, fine, Max came home. But then Big Lon showing up? I reread that passage about four times to make sure it wasn't actually a dream sequence. How did he get there? Why, really, did he do that (why did the Lons leave the Peninsula property at all, it seems they had every reason to stay)? Most of all, why kill off Mrs Cook, other than to let Hen and Sergeant Drivers end up together? That seems a poor reason, particularly since they seem an average match at best. Perhaps Max and Hen weren't right for each other, but she could have either found happiness alone, or they could've learnt to love each other.
Overall, I think my main complaint is that character deaths were used too frequently and obviously to navigate the story to a new location or force relationships. I still enjoyed much of the book, and will probably read it again one day. I liked having an insight into the world of Matilda, and a peek at (I assume) Auntie Love's life too. I would recommend this book if you're a fan of Jackie French's other work.
I had suspected that Max might have been alive, but was thoroughly convinced he was gone by the time he reappeared. That was a surprise I enjoyed. I felt similarly about his wife, Elizabeth - her existence was not unexpected but added important dimension to the book.
My issues started when Elizabeth Bartlett dies. I was worried that she would be killed off just to make way for the romance of Hen and Max. Following on from this, the massacre of the Indigenous women felt contrived and reminded me of a similar scene from The Secret River. The scene felt unimportant and unneeded in the story, which is a shame. If it had to be included, it needed more care and attention.
I was somewhat content with the story from here, though Max constantly changing his mind was frustrating. I was also unconvinced by Hen's random mentions of affection for Sergeant Drivers, a man several years her senior and who had held a knife to her throat.
I willingly suspended my disbelief for all of it, though, until the ending. Ok, fine, Max came home. But then Big Lon showing up? I reread that passage about four times to make sure it wasn't actually a dream sequence. How did he get there? Why, really, did he do that (why did the Lons leave the Peninsula property at all, it seems they had every reason to stay)? Most of all, why kill off Mrs Cook, other than to let Hen and Sergeant Drivers end up together? That seems a poor reason, particularly since they seem an average match at best. Perhaps Max and Hen weren't right for each other, but she could have either found happiness alone, or they could've learnt to love each other.
Overall, I think my main complaint is that character deaths were used too frequently and obviously to navigate the story to a new location or force relationships. I still enjoyed much of the book, and will probably read it again one day. I liked having an insight into the world of Matilda, and a peek at (I assume) Auntie Love's life too. I would recommend this book if you're a fan of Jackie French's other work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2025
I listened to this as an audio book , and it was an easy listen. The reader had a beautiful voice and intonation in telling the story.
Hen the main character, certainly went through a lot even before she headed to Australia, and this made for interesting reading, even if a bit gruesome at times.
Sometimes I got a bit frustrated with Hen’s life with luxuries, and it was always interesting to hear about the food being eaten. Hen though did use her privilege for good and that was really a great part of the story.
An unusual and feisty woman - Hen certainly became more unique as the story continued.
I did like the special excerpts from Henrietta’s book of notes for recipes and medicines. Knowing they are written by Jackie French does make you feel it like they have some validity in their application.
Description
A war surgeons daughter has a perilous love life which takes her from the battlefields of Waterloo to the colony of Australia to make an entirely new life, all while growing and cooking and eating delicious food and tending to patients with well learnt and practiced plant ways of healing. Watch for the twists and turns in the love story, enjoy the friendships made with Aboriginal People and enjoy the letters and notes and poems along the way.
Hen the main character, certainly went through a lot even before she headed to Australia, and this made for interesting reading, even if a bit gruesome at times.
Sometimes I got a bit frustrated with Hen’s life with luxuries, and it was always interesting to hear about the food being eaten. Hen though did use her privilege for good and that was really a great part of the story.
An unusual and feisty woman - Hen certainly became more unique as the story continued.
I did like the special excerpts from Henrietta’s book of notes for recipes and medicines. Knowing they are written by Jackie French does make you feel it like they have some validity in their application.
Description
A war surgeons daughter has a perilous love life which takes her from the battlefields of Waterloo to the colony of Australia to make an entirely new life, all while growing and cooking and eating delicious food and tending to patients with well learnt and practiced plant ways of healing. Watch for the twists and turns in the love story, enjoy the friendships made with Aboriginal People and enjoy the letters and notes and poems along the way.
June 13, 2023
Hen is a fifteen year old girl assisting her father, an Army Surgeon, at the Battle of Waterloo. The battle is fierce, the injuries multiple and horrific. It is not their first time attending the battle wounded, but following the recent death of Hen's mother, her father is conscious that if anything happens to him, Hen will be alone in the world. When a dashing soldier proposes to her as she attends to him, her father gives his consent to their marriage. But an hour later there is an explosion and neither know if the other is still alive. From Waterloo Hen travels to Sydney, Australia in the hope of finding her husband, but is he still alive and is he still her husband? A good story; her friends Cook and Sergeant Driver are very likeable and there's a twist at the end. My only reseveration is for the cover, which depicts a young woman not at all as I would have imagined her and with dark hair instead of the golden halo for which Hen is famous.
November 23, 2024
The ending spoilt this book for me. Up to that point the story was very interesting. It was full of charismatic Characters and engaged me in a time frame I hadn't read too much about. I really enjoyed the writing. Unfortunately the book right at the end made me thoroughly dislike it. I felt the author dropped breadcrumbs all the way to a feel good conclusion and there really were very few happy moments in this book that were joyful, so at the end you wish as a reader that finally the protagonists get some joy. But No, the writer lets you down. I just wish I had not purchased this book as I will never read it again.
February 17, 2021
I thought Jackie French wrote for children and intially thought this a YA novel and though a possibility it was certainly entertaining for an adult. Loved learning about the medical groupies' following armies in the Napoleonic Wars and medical procedures of the time .Later, when the protagonist ended up in early colonial Sydney was enthralled to read about the mechanisms of the young colony. Some aspects were probably not accurate but clearly a lot of research has been done and storyline was mainly plausible.
March 29, 2023
What does Jackie French do to inconvenient spouses? Murders them!
'The Angel Of Waterloo' is a compelling and thrilling read, with historically accurate intrigue. However, the romance is poorly developed and the reader has no investment in Hen's romantic ending. French seems to have rushed the ending, and it seems surreal. Similarly, the amount of incovenient people dying and characters being raised from the dead is frankly ridiculous.
French is a good author with great tone, suspense, and historical research, but the main theme of romance and ending of 'The Angel Of Waterloo' falls flat.
'The Angel Of Waterloo' is a compelling and thrilling read, with historically accurate intrigue. However, the romance is poorly developed and the reader has no investment in Hen's romantic ending. French seems to have rushed the ending, and it seems surreal. Similarly, the amount of incovenient people dying and characters being raised from the dead is frankly ridiculous.
French is a good author with great tone, suspense, and historical research, but the main theme of romance and ending of 'The Angel Of Waterloo' falls flat.
January 22, 2021
Having been interested in colonial history for many years i found this book really interesting and spent too much time reading it when I should have been doing other things.From the battle fields of Waterloo where her father was a surgeon and then to Australia just after the days of the Rum Corps this is very descriptive. it moves at a quick pace for the period of several years. Characters were different & believable. I was nearly crying at the end.
May 20, 2022
Wow oh wow !!!!!! 5+ stars
I have never read historical fiction or had a desire too and only chose this book because I loved reading diary of a wombat to my children but boy oh boy this book took my heart
I was so drawn into the story and characters that I could focus on nothing else in life. Never have I just wanted to weep at the end of a book!
Do yourself a favour and pick up this masterpiece - you won’t regret it
I have never read historical fiction or had a desire too and only chose this book because I loved reading diary of a wombat to my children but boy oh boy this book took my heart
I was so drawn into the story and characters that I could focus on nothing else in life. Never have I just wanted to weep at the end of a book!
Do yourself a favour and pick up this masterpiece - you won’t regret it
November 23, 2023
Loved the book. I love the way the author writes and weaves a story form the battlefield to Australia. Amazing what Henrietta was allowed to do in the war however when that is over she's not allowed to become a surgeon. However her skills she learnt she continues to use them in a variety of ways. She has the ability to see through people to their motivation and therefore tries to make every occasion a win win. Great book
December 15, 2020
I love Jackie French's work, and this is one is no exception. A truly captivating story, with strong female characters, friendships, and historical background all working together. I particularly enjoyed the friendships Hen made with indigenous women and with Mrs.Cook. The twist and turns at the end I didn’t predict, but I did applaud.
July 4, 2021
I don’t ‘do’ historical fiction and I certainly won’t ow as I suspect Jackie French has just ruined it for everyone! This book is STUNNING!!!! I actually cried at the end as well as tearing up a couple of times through out (I’ve obviously gone soft).
Truely a great story beautifully written cannot recommend this more.
Truely a great story beautifully written cannot recommend this more.
August 29, 2022
This was a great book and written in such a way, I had to check a number of times to make sure it was, in fact, a novel. Set in the early days of the fledgling Australian colony the story was well supported by historical fact. As a primary school teacher, I have enjoyed many of Jackie French's books for children, but this was my very first read of her adult fiction - it won't be my last!
May 28, 2024
Ms French is Australia's Angel
I have never read one of Ms French's books that didn't leave me feeling like I have just stepped back into my own time after being somewhere else that is still so real I can taste it. I am writing this through my tears. Life is hard. Love is hard. Colonisation is evil. But we struggle and fight and hopefully, love wins.
I have never read one of Ms French's books that didn't leave me feeling like I have just stepped back into my own time after being somewhere else that is still so real I can taste it. I am writing this through my tears. Life is hard. Love is hard. Colonisation is evil. But we struggle and fight and hopefully, love wins.
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