The Floating Brothel

In July 1789, 237 women convicts left England for Botany Bay in Australia on board a ship called The Lady Julian, destined to provide sexual services and a breeding bank for the men already there.

This is the enthralling story of the women and their voyage. Based on painstaking research into contemporary sources such as letters, trial records and the first-hand account of the voyage written by the ship's steward, John Nicol, this is a riveting work of recovered history.

THE FLOATING BROTHEL brilliantly conjures up the sights, sounds and particularly the smells of life on board ship at the time and is populated by a cast of larger-than-life characters you will never forget.

“history at its most engaging - Daily TelegraphRees's lively, closely researched account of life in London's underworld and on board ship is a testimony to the spirit and resilience of women... - The Sunday Timeshighly accomplished debut...comparable in power to Golding's Rites Of Passage - Independent”

history at its most engaging - Daily Telegraph

Rees's lively, closely researched account of life in London's underworld and on board ship is a testimony to the spirit and resilience of women... - The Sunday Times

highly accomplished debut...comparable in power to Golding's Rites Of Passage - Independent

Sian Rees was born in Cornwall to a family of sailors and boatbuilders. She studied history at university and first became interested in the transportation of female convicts to Australia when she was living there.

In July 1789, 237 women convicts left England for Botany Bay in Australia on board a ship called The Lady Julian, destined to provide sexual services and a breeding bank for the men already there.This is the enthralling story of the women and their voyage. Based on painstaking research into contemporary sources such as letters, trial records and the first-hand account of the voyage written by the ship's steward, John Nicol, this is a riveting work of recovered history.THE FLOATING BROTHEL brilliantly conjures up the sights, sounds and particularly the smells of life on board ship at the time and is populated by a cast of larger-than-life characters you will never forget.

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