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Scapegallows
As the valued servant of a wealthy family and a friend of criminals, Margaret leads a double life that inevitably brings about her downfall, and she is sentenced to hang not once, but twice. But she escapes the gallows and is transported with other convicts to Australia. This wonderful adventure story takes inspiration from the life of the real Margaret Catchpole—a woman who lived by her wits, twice a scapegallows.
448 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Carol Birch
24 books117 followersCarol Birch is the author of eleven previous novels, including Turn Again Home, which was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize, and Jamrach’s Menagerie, which was a Man Booker Prize finalist and long-listed for the Orange Prize for Fiction and the London Book Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 2, 2017
Nu cred că exagerez absolut deloc când spun că acesta a fost un roman pur și simplu spectaculos! Deși au fost momente când acțiunea cărții a părut să stea în loc, totul a luat avânt atunci când Margaret a călcat pentru prima oară pe bec. Deși ȘTIAM cum avea să se termine povestea ei, m-am trezit pe parcursul cărții că îmi scrâșneam dinții și mă rugam să nu se întâmple ce credeam eu c-o să se întâmple. Ceea ce dovedește talentul literar de netăgăduit al lui Carol Birch. Ce mai, o ficțiune istorică cum rar mi-a fost dat să citesc: bazată pe fapte reale, documentată foarte bine, și totuși scrisă într-un mod atât de captivant încât nu o poți lăsa din mână! Recomand din toată inima!
***recenzia la link-ul de mai jos***
https://literaryjungle.wordpress.com/...
***recenzia la link-ul de mai jos***
https://literaryjungle.wordpress.com/...
April 2, 2016
Just two and a half stars.
I struggled with this book - despite the fact it's beautifully written and it was based on a fascinating true-life story: the convict, Margaret Catchpole, after whom several significant Australian landmarks are named.
After the opening, set during devastating floods in the Hawkesbury in the early nineteenth century, the story returns to tell of Margaret's upbringing in England, how she came to be involved with the smuggler Will Laud, her life as a nursemaid and cook for a local Suffolk family and - eventually - how she came to be sentenced to the gallows - and then reprieved. It may be a strange criticism but the tension in the story was just drawn out far too long to feel satisfactory. Because the opening makes the outcome clear, all I wanted to know was how the main events happened.
Caught somewhere between fiction and biography, the book didn't have the feel of narrative non-fiction. Just of fiction that wasn't hitting a series of building climaxes - but rather being pulled through a long trough.
The beginning was great; so was the end. But the middle seemed to drag a lot.
I struggled with this book - despite the fact it's beautifully written and it was based on a fascinating true-life story: the convict, Margaret Catchpole, after whom several significant Australian landmarks are named.
After the opening, set during devastating floods in the Hawkesbury in the early nineteenth century, the story returns to tell of Margaret's upbringing in England, how she came to be involved with the smuggler Will Laud, her life as a nursemaid and cook for a local Suffolk family and - eventually - how she came to be sentenced to the gallows - and then reprieved. It may be a strange criticism but the tension in the story was just drawn out far too long to feel satisfactory. Because the opening makes the outcome clear, all I wanted to know was how the main events happened.
Caught somewhere between fiction and biography, the book didn't have the feel of narrative non-fiction. Just of fiction that wasn't hitting a series of building climaxes - but rather being pulled through a long trough.
The beginning was great; so was the end. But the middle seemed to drag a lot.
June 25, 2024
This was a real page-turner and in some ways a gentle read despite some of the underlying themes. It definitely gave me Poledark vibes with the descriptions of sweeping landscapes and a headstrong female MC, a great historical fiction.
January 17, 2012
I really enjoyed this fact based fictional account of the life of a woman called Margaret Catchpole who works as a maid and has a boyfriend who is a smuggler, events conspire to eventually get her transported to Australia after narrowly escaping being hanged for her foolhardiness rather than criminality. She's quite a feckless heroine and quite a flawed character with a temper and poor decision making skills but this makes her all the more real.
The books begins in Australia where she has obviously been living for some time and the main story is her reminiscences of her youth back in England and how she came to fall off the straight and narrow to be transported.
Although I'd have greatly liked to have read much more about how she settled once in Australia rather than the sketchy account of that yet an in depth background, I found it very readable and enjoyable and it reminded me somewhat of Slammerkin and Remember Me and having recently read Jamrach's Menagerie: A Novel I think this would appeal to anyone who enjoyed any of these novels.
The books begins in Australia where she has obviously been living for some time and the main story is her reminiscences of her youth back in England and how she came to fall off the straight and narrow to be transported.
Although I'd have greatly liked to have read much more about how she settled once in Australia rather than the sketchy account of that yet an in depth background, I found it very readable and enjoyable and it reminded me somewhat of Slammerkin and Remember Me and having recently read Jamrach's Menagerie: A Novel I think this would appeal to anyone who enjoyed any of these novels.
August 3, 2016
Even if this book is based on the real life of Margaret Catchpole, the story didn't convince me.
A reference to this book is The History of Margaret Catchpole (London, 1845) written by Reverend Richard Cobbold.
There is another biography of her, "Margaret Catchpole, her life and her letters - The story of a woman who became a legend", written by Laurie Chater Forth.
A reference to this book is The History of Margaret Catchpole (London, 1845) written by Reverend Richard Cobbold.
There is another biography of her, "Margaret Catchpole, her life and her letters - The story of a woman who became a legend", written by Laurie Chater Forth.
August 6, 2008
The story of Margaret Catchpole born into a smuggler's world in Suffolk 1762. A true story. Margaret leads a double life that brings about her downfall, sentenced to hang not once but twice she is transported to Australia with other convicts.
March 29, 2022
Scapegallows is run-of-the-mill historical fiction, competently written but at 448 pages, it's far too long for itself.
Birch probably made her way onto Australia booksellers' shelves when Turn Again Home was longlisted for the 2003 Booker, and Jamrach's Menagerie was longlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize and shortlisted for the 2011 Booker. Scapegallows may have made it here because Colonial Australia features in its plot. It's the fictionalised story of the real-life Margaret Catchpole, a horse thief. She was sentenced to hang twice but reprieved and was transported to Australia in 1801, for escaping from gaol. In Australia she became a respected midwife and her letters home are a valuable historical source as eyewitness accounts of early years in the colony. The Australian aspects of her story might have an 'exotic' appeal to British readers, but most of the novel is Catchpole's long-winded back story in England.
The Australian sections are problematic. The content seems to have been drawn from Catchpole's letters home, and not from any familiarity with Australian history. Any competent Australian historical novelist would have a more nuanced view of Indigenous dispossession than to drop in an 'orphaned' Aboriginal boy as a character, his backstory economically disposed of in one paragraph:
I have no idea what is meant by 'get her certificate'. This first chapter is dated 1817. There was a 'Certificate of Exemption' which gave Aboriginal people certain rights if they met certain criteria, but that wasn't legislated until decades later: 1897 in Queensland and in the 20th century in the other states which introduced it. (It appears not to have been introduced in Victoria or Tasmania.)
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2022/03/29/s...
Birch probably made her way onto Australia booksellers' shelves when Turn Again Home was longlisted for the 2003 Booker, and Jamrach's Menagerie was longlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize and shortlisted for the 2011 Booker. Scapegallows may have made it here because Colonial Australia features in its plot. It's the fictionalised story of the real-life Margaret Catchpole, a horse thief. She was sentenced to hang twice but reprieved and was transported to Australia in 1801, for escaping from gaol. In Australia she became a respected midwife and her letters home are a valuable historical source as eyewitness accounts of early years in the colony. The Australian aspects of her story might have an 'exotic' appeal to British readers, but most of the novel is Catchpole's long-winded back story in England.
The Australian sections are problematic. The content seems to have been drawn from Catchpole's letters home, and not from any familiarity with Australian history. Any competent Australian historical novelist would have a more nuanced view of Indigenous dispossession than to drop in an 'orphaned' Aboriginal boy as a character, his backstory economically disposed of in one paragraph:
'Tell you, Bill,' says I, 'we're in for a storm, you mark my words.'
'Not till tonight, Auntie.'
Thinks he knows. Mrs Palmer says it's in his blood to sense the weather and she put it in his head that he do, but he is not always right, no. He never came up with the dreaming like the wild ones, not him. He was a baby when his poor mamma came in alone from somewhere further out, fourteen years old and all bashed up, to try and be a settler and get her certificate. She died and they put him in the Native Institute, where I got him. He's Bible-raised, a good boy, so they told me, and they were right.' (p.4)
I have no idea what is meant by 'get her certificate'. This first chapter is dated 1817. There was a 'Certificate of Exemption' which gave Aboriginal people certain rights if they met certain criteria, but that wasn't legislated until decades later: 1897 in Queensland and in the 20th century in the other states which introduced it. (It appears not to have been introduced in Victoria or Tasmania.)
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2022/03/29/s...
January 26, 2019
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. The descriptions are so life like that the part in the book in Newgate prison sent shivers through me, it felt like I was actually there with Margaret amongst the sights and smells! The story is of Margaret Catchpole who was from Suffolk and lived amongst smugglers in the late 1700’s. She became a servant to a wealthy family who treated her well and she become part of them but she also befriend criminals too. Because of this double life she leads and the love of one smuggler called Will this inevitably brings her downfall, but Margaret is a good person and has many lives like a cat and the author weaves her story beautifully. This is ultimately an adventure story of an incredible women who lived by her charm and wit and also this is based on the true story of the real Margaret Catchpole. This is well worth the read if you enjoy reading about little known historical people and how it was for them at a time when justice didn’t always favour the courageous.
July 24, 2017
interesting read, it has a brilliant first section that is completely captivating. Then the structure goes back half a century and you build back to the present - which in itself is 200 years ago! Very intersting insights into life the Eastern England, how 'criminals' are dealt with, why people become 'criminals' - and the relationship between the death penalty and transportation to Australia.
Enjoyed this a lot - especially to find out at the end that it is based on a true story and the writings of a woman who live much of this life, drawn from the letters she wrote from Australia back to he former employer, who also taught her to read and write.
Enjoyed this a lot - especially to find out at the end that it is based on a true story and the writings of a woman who live much of this life, drawn from the letters she wrote from Australia back to he former employer, who also taught her to read and write.
September 10, 2017
I stumbled upon this book in a charity shop and I'm glad I did. I didn't realise until the end that it was based on a true story. I enjoyed the details of life in a different time - I would just have liked to know more of Margaret's life in Australia.
April 18, 2020
Deftly handled and compelling storytelling in this fictional account of a true life. Margaret Catchpole is a gift of a character, and Birch conjures a rich life out of a few fragments, and transports us to another time and place. The perfect novel for lockdown.
September 21, 2025
interesting in parts as based on a historical biography and letters of Margaret Catchpole. and evocative of Suffolk in 18th century. Too long. Some of the descriptions of Australian landscape do not ring true. Eg no jacarandas in NSW in early 19th century. Narrative feels a bit cluttered
August 13, 2019
Meeslepende historische roman over een vrouw die uiteindelijk eindigt als veroordeelde in Australië.
January 22, 2024
4****/5*****.
September 3, 2024
Well told story. The end was quite abrupt, but well finished! A very good read!
February 12, 2011
Initial impressions
This premise of this book captured my interest straight away, being quite a big fan of historical fiction but not yet having encountered it of the type written about in this book, I wanted to give it a try. Straight away it became apparent that the writing in this book by Carol Birch was very similar to Rose Tremain, particularly in her novel "The colour". That being one of my favourite books from last year encouraged me and I believed this would be an excellent book even early on. However it became evident that the pace which was slow to begin with anyway, was becoming slower and slower by the page and even though I do like those books where you savor words slowly, this book was just TOO damn slow!
Plot
The plot of the book was interesting. Based on an actual person called Margerate Catchpole who became involved with a boy called Will Laud who later turned into smuggling. Its this involvement that we can assume led to her being taken to the gallows twice, smuggling being taken extremely seriously in those times. Margerate tells her story to a fellow convict in Australia where convicts were forced to go and carry out various labours/jobs. Again though, too slow. At the 160 page mark and just beyond, although small, minor things had happened, nothing had happened to indicate how the book was going to go, just too too slow.
Characterisation
Despite Margerates involvement within crime to a degree, she comes across as a likeable character whose only main interests involve providing the best for her family and staying with her smuggler boyfriend Will. Various things happen to the family during the main storyline which are quite emotive and make you feel sorry for the various characters involved. Most were likeable aside from those of the smuggler colleagues of Will Laud, who naturally wouldn't have been very likeable people. Violent, in fact. Birch does successfully create characters to care about however for the most part and had the story not been that slow, I would have no doubt been more interested in seeing what happened to each and every one of them.
Overall
As I liked the writing style and the initial start was promising, I couldn't feel as though I could give it less than 3 stars despite not finishing it. I will be giving more of this authors work a try to see whether the slow pace was only apparent in this book or is a way that she writes in a general sense. All I can say is that its a shame it was paced so badly, I would have enjoyed it otherwise.
This premise of this book captured my interest straight away, being quite a big fan of historical fiction but not yet having encountered it of the type written about in this book, I wanted to give it a try. Straight away it became apparent that the writing in this book by Carol Birch was very similar to Rose Tremain, particularly in her novel "The colour". That being one of my favourite books from last year encouraged me and I believed this would be an excellent book even early on. However it became evident that the pace which was slow to begin with anyway, was becoming slower and slower by the page and even though I do like those books where you savor words slowly, this book was just TOO damn slow!
Plot
The plot of the book was interesting. Based on an actual person called Margerate Catchpole who became involved with a boy called Will Laud who later turned into smuggling. Its this involvement that we can assume led to her being taken to the gallows twice, smuggling being taken extremely seriously in those times. Margerate tells her story to a fellow convict in Australia where convicts were forced to go and carry out various labours/jobs. Again though, too slow. At the 160 page mark and just beyond, although small, minor things had happened, nothing had happened to indicate how the book was going to go, just too too slow.
Characterisation
Despite Margerates involvement within crime to a degree, she comes across as a likeable character whose only main interests involve providing the best for her family and staying with her smuggler boyfriend Will. Various things happen to the family during the main storyline which are quite emotive and make you feel sorry for the various characters involved. Most were likeable aside from those of the smuggler colleagues of Will Laud, who naturally wouldn't have been very likeable people. Violent, in fact. Birch does successfully create characters to care about however for the most part and had the story not been that slow, I would have no doubt been more interested in seeing what happened to each and every one of them.
Overall
As I liked the writing style and the initial start was promising, I couldn't feel as though I could give it less than 3 stars despite not finishing it. I will be giving more of this authors work a try to see whether the slow pace was only apparent in this book or is a way that she writes in a general sense. All I can say is that its a shame it was paced so badly, I would have enjoyed it otherwise.
July 30, 2016
Scapegallows is the fictionalised story of Margaret Catchpole, a horse thief, who escaped the hangman's noose twice and was eventually transported to Australia in 1801, for life.
If you hale from Suffolk, U.K., you will probably be familiar with Margaret Catchpole's legendary status. In Ipswich there is a Grade 2 listed public house bearing her name, which reflects her connection to the brewing family, the Cobbolds.
In Australia, she is venerated as one of the country's first midwives and her letters are a great source for historians due to their descriptions of early nineteenth century life in the colony. A maternity ward at the Hawkesbury Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, is aptly named in her honour.
Margaret Catchpole was born into a family of Suffolk tenant farmers in Nacton, a village on the banks of the River Orwell. Her life had its share of hardship and family tragedy. Some of her misfortunes were the result of her own impetuous decisions and the company she kept.
Uneducated, Margaret found work as a servant, but her life improved greatly when she was employed by the Cobbold family as a children's nurse and then cook. Here, she learned to read and write and became a valued member of the household. Even when imprisoned and transported, she still remained in the family's affections and kept up a correspondence with Mrs. Cobbold.
Margaret's greatest weakness was her love for Will Laud, a boat builder and sailor turned smuggler. Will Laud is in and out of Margaret's life for various reasons, sometimes for years, but she remained loyal to him. As romantic as this sounds, this devotion proved to be her downfall.
For a novel described as "a wonderful adventure story", I'd expected a much faster pace than the slow, ambling read it was. My interest did wane three-quarters through, but I persevered to the end. While my emotions weren't totally engaged, I did enjoy this novel for its historical value: the social history of 18th century Suffolk and the life of one of Australia's convict pioneers.
If you hale from Suffolk, U.K., you will probably be familiar with Margaret Catchpole's legendary status. In Ipswich there is a Grade 2 listed public house bearing her name, which reflects her connection to the brewing family, the Cobbolds.
In Australia, she is venerated as one of the country's first midwives and her letters are a great source for historians due to their descriptions of early nineteenth century life in the colony. A maternity ward at the Hawkesbury Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, is aptly named in her honour.
Margaret Catchpole was born into a family of Suffolk tenant farmers in Nacton, a village on the banks of the River Orwell. Her life had its share of hardship and family tragedy. Some of her misfortunes were the result of her own impetuous decisions and the company she kept.
Uneducated, Margaret found work as a servant, but her life improved greatly when she was employed by the Cobbold family as a children's nurse and then cook. Here, she learned to read and write and became a valued member of the household. Even when imprisoned and transported, she still remained in the family's affections and kept up a correspondence with Mrs. Cobbold.
Margaret's greatest weakness was her love for Will Laud, a boat builder and sailor turned smuggler. Will Laud is in and out of Margaret's life for various reasons, sometimes for years, but she remained loyal to him. As romantic as this sounds, this devotion proved to be her downfall.
For a novel described as "a wonderful adventure story", I'd expected a much faster pace than the slow, ambling read it was. My interest did wane three-quarters through, but I persevered to the end. While my emotions weren't totally engaged, I did enjoy this novel for its historical value: the social history of 18th century Suffolk and the life of one of Australia's convict pioneers.
September 13, 2012
Based on the true story of Margaret Catchpole, born into a smuggler's world in Suffolk in the late 1700's. She becomes the valued servant of a weathly, liberal and kind family, The Cobbolds. She was also the friend of sailors and smugglers. She was in love with Will Laud, a 'free-trader' (smuggler). The heroine is a passionate and supremely capable girl brought to life by the Author from, one can imagine, her research into the bare facts from archives. In her life,she saves the lives of children, rides bare back into Ipswich in a mercy mission...later on she steals a horse to ride to London (where her love is imprisoned )in the guise of a male but is caught and sentenced to hang. This sentence is commuted and she is imprisoned in Ipswich where she escapes. She is captured again and sentenced a second time to Hang. Eventually she was transported to Australia where she continues to show extraordinary courage and selflessness ( she saves a family from an impending flood) ..She never marries.Beautiful descriptive/lyrical writing which never gats bogged down by melodrama.
" ..evokes the period without compromising her diachronic concerns"
Note to self...Should read: Turn again Home/The Fog Line/ Life in the Palace
" ..evokes the period without compromising her diachronic concerns"
Note to self...Should read: Turn again Home/The Fog Line/ Life in the Palace
January 15, 2008
Just finished this book about the life of Margaret Catchpole who was transported to Australia for various crimes commited in Suffolk at end 1700s / early 1800s. I didn't realise it was based on the life of a real person which may explain why the narrative drags in the middle section. The start was very promising and the end equally interesting so worth a go although I didn't feel that the central relationship between Margaret and Will was particularly convincing and the John Luff character was most ambiguous. (In love with Will?)
Read
December 7, 2014My copy is staring at me from the sofa as I havent been able to offload it back at the library yet. I can understand now why it was last taken out in 2008. The only good thing I can say about this book was that it is in large print which makes it easier for me to read when I'm falling asleep. I tried really hard to give it a go but found it to be tiresome, uninteresting and difficult to visualise.
Choosen by my book group I was very disappointed by this and didn't manage to finish it. I would give this a 0.
If this wasn't a library book I would burn it!!
Choosen by my book group I was very disappointed by this and didn't manage to finish it. I would give this a 0.
If this wasn't a library book I would burn it!!
May 5, 2010
Based on the life of the real Margaret Catchpole, this historical fiction book was easy, fun reading and very engaging. Margaret was born into a poor,close-knit family but went astray trying to help her lover, a smuggler. She escaped capital punishment twice and was sent to Australia instead where she made a life for herself and is still remembered there today with a hospital wing and other things named after her.
February 14, 2012
one can note quite a bit of Jamrach's Menagerie in Scapegallows (2007) - Carol Birch is a first rate story teller - Jamrach's was a level above but by no means is that a knock against Scapegallows - breathes life into history she does - creates a world inhabited by sympathetic characters. The Naming of Eliza Quinn (2005) is next. That’s what's so nice about finding a good author - helps fill a February
June 24, 2013
Fascinating, and full of historical detail, Carol Birch certainly does her historical research and this novel, based on the true life story of Margaret Catchpole, who was reprieved twice from hanging and finally transported to Australia where she remained until she died. Most of the book tells the story of how her love finally led to her undoing. a tale of smugglers and the wealthy. well worth reading
November 10, 2009
This books is based on the true story of Margaret Catchpole, who was born into a smugglers world in Suffolk in the 1700's. She leads a troubled life and is sentenced to hang, but escaping the gallows,she was transported to Australia for life.
I enjoyed this story, it's a well written historical narrative ,with a likeable, if foolhardy ,heroine.
I enjoyed this story, it's a well written historical narrative ,with a likeable, if foolhardy ,heroine.
September 17, 2011
I was a bit disappointed. The title and "blurb" implied it was all about her "escaping the gallows" - but most of the book was about her life as being part of a community with strong ties to smugglers. It started off well, and maybe with a different title would have been better. Maybe a bit more about her life in Austrailia as well.....
February 7, 2013
I read this rollocking yarn without realising it was based strongly on fact. I would have liked to hear more about her life in Australia, but thoroughly enjoyed the tale of how she got here. Although I'd never heard of her, I can see why Margaret Catchpole is still remembered in Suffolk and in the Hawkesbury region of NSW.
February 7, 2014
Based on fact and nicely written. What a gal!
Margaret Catchpole was clearly a survivor and much liked.
Unusual to get some history on one of the lower orders - which gives us an idea of the impact she made.
A Good Read, particularly if you're interested in history (Ipswich local, 19th Century or Australian invasion)
Margaret Catchpole was clearly a survivor and much liked.
Unusual to get some history on one of the lower orders - which gives us an idea of the impact she made.
A Good Read, particularly if you're interested in history (Ipswich local, 19th Century or Australian invasion)
April 26, 2016
A super story from a master storyteller. As with other Birch stories the bits that you think are highly unlikely are actually the facts that she has uncovered and researched, and then spun a story around. By the end I felt I knew the characters, and the pettiness of English social structures and law comes across really well.
July 10, 2016
Beautifully written and full of historical detail, this book was a joy to read. Based on the true story of feisty servant girl Margaret Catchpole, and set primarily in the 18th century world of Suffolk smugglers, the writer has skillfully interwoven facts with her own imagination - and in the telling she has had me hooked from beginning to end.
August 25, 2013
An interesting read! Very sad ;( and also twisted and slightly cruel. But I guess, those were the days! Overall, this wasn't a book I would usually read but it was EXTREMELY helpful for my history assignment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews