What do you think?
Rate this book
Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes: A Regency and Steampunk Field Guide Revised and Expanded Edition
Get ready to step into the back alleys of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens's London, and explore the alternative worlds of steampunk in this new guide book by fantasy author Krista D. Ball. Ball takes readers on a fascinating journey into the world of the Have-Nots, and explores the bustling, crime-ridden London during the Georgian and Victorian eras. Discover the world of knocker-uppers (it's not what you think), mudlarks, and costermongers. Learn how to scrub floors and polish knives, pick for bones, and catch rats. Learn about race and social status, and the difference between a lady's maid and a scullery maid. With her usual wit, insight, and snark, Ball gives historical, romance, and steampunk authors the tools to create vibrant, realistic worlds. Whether you're an author, a Janeite, or just a fan of history, Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes gives you a fresh look into the dark past.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2014
16 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 1, 2018
I loved this quick overview of how people lived in the Regency and Victorian periods. It was very helpful to get a general sense of what was possible and probable 200+ years ago. This did spoil some classic books, which was a bummer. While it was fun to see those references, the writing style was fun enough without it. I also loved how this debunked common myths about those eras and definitely helped burst my daydreams of living back then - in a good way!
November 10, 2024
Yet another reminder to myself that even if a book on a subject that interests me starts in a manner not to my taste I should persevere to discover its good side. And find out why the book is well rated by others, justifiably so I now find.
First the problem start. The Canadian author is super enthusiastic for the era she’s writing about - a social history of the Georgian, Regency and early Victorian periods in Britain (early 18th to mid/late19th centuries). They feature in so many romance novels, not just by Jane Austen but modern works too and TV series such as “ Bridgeton”. It seemed in the first 10% of the book, an extended introduction and preview, that the reader is assumed to be one of the very enthusiastic group of Regency romance readers, admirers of Mr Darcy and his fine calves, etc. It seemed a little too ‘fan-fiction’ in its direction. It even suggests that many readers may be potential writers looking for factual details of the era for their own books.
But as I moved beyond the apparently gushing introduction the well researched history I was after materialises, and it’s very well presented. It concentrates on the less known underbelly of the polite, genteel, society portrayed in romance novels set in that era. It starts with the poverty of many ordinary working people, despite their hard work and long hours, especially the wide range of servant occupations servicing the middle classes and the more wealthy. Details on the standard of living and nutrition differences across the classes.
Around the 50% point it tackles slavery. A well done section as I was aware that even if it was hidden to a degree in England (often subtly as ‘servants’ in wealthy houses) it was present in the background through most of the 18th century. Even after the abolition of the slave trade around 1800 I was aware that a rich gentleman like Mr Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” may well have had some income from slave plantations in the Caribbean. I live in a city which markets its Georgian/Regency/Jane Austen heritage and was intrigued to come across documents recently detailing government compensation to slave owning individuals (not the slaves!) affected by the final abolition of slavery in the 1830’s across the British Empire. Some of the individuals lived in the Regency era houses at the end of my road, including a vicar! Anyway, the author captures British hypocrisy on slavery well.
Then it’s onto sex, with STI’s, condoms, abortions, brothels, ‘molly houses’, described, often with sad tales of affected individuals. Prostitution was rife in London, as it paid so much more for those struggling to survive than jobs such as a Lady’s maid. The Gin addictions in the 1700’s seem to rival the opiate addiction crisis of modern times.
At this stage I almost saw the bubbly introductory enthusiasm for Regency Fiction and Jane Austen style romance as clever satire, given the grimmer tone of much of the rest! But I’m sure this book is intended to simply restore the balance to those who find the Georgian/Regency era a fascinating period in British history (as I do).
Purely for my tastes, if the book had plunged more directly into the history of the era it’d be 5* but even as it is it’s still a well written 4* from me.
Recommended for those interested in the era and in Jane Austen’s works.
First the problem start. The Canadian author is super enthusiastic for the era she’s writing about - a social history of the Georgian, Regency and early Victorian periods in Britain (early 18th to mid/late19th centuries). They feature in so many romance novels, not just by Jane Austen but modern works too and TV series such as “ Bridgeton”. It seemed in the first 10% of the book, an extended introduction and preview, that the reader is assumed to be one of the very enthusiastic group of Regency romance readers, admirers of Mr Darcy and his fine calves, etc. It seemed a little too ‘fan-fiction’ in its direction. It even suggests that many readers may be potential writers looking for factual details of the era for their own books.
But as I moved beyond the apparently gushing introduction the well researched history I was after materialises, and it’s very well presented. It concentrates on the less known underbelly of the polite, genteel, society portrayed in romance novels set in that era. It starts with the poverty of many ordinary working people, despite their hard work and long hours, especially the wide range of servant occupations servicing the middle classes and the more wealthy. Details on the standard of living and nutrition differences across the classes.
Around the 50% point it tackles slavery. A well done section as I was aware that even if it was hidden to a degree in England (often subtly as ‘servants’ in wealthy houses) it was present in the background through most of the 18th century. Even after the abolition of the slave trade around 1800 I was aware that a rich gentleman like Mr Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” may well have had some income from slave plantations in the Caribbean. I live in a city which markets its Georgian/Regency/Jane Austen heritage and was intrigued to come across documents recently detailing government compensation to slave owning individuals (not the slaves!) affected by the final abolition of slavery in the 1830’s across the British Empire. Some of the individuals lived in the Regency era houses at the end of my road, including a vicar! Anyway, the author captures British hypocrisy on slavery well.
Then it’s onto sex, with STI’s, condoms, abortions, brothels, ‘molly houses’, described, often with sad tales of affected individuals. Prostitution was rife in London, as it paid so much more for those struggling to survive than jobs such as a Lady’s maid. The Gin addictions in the 1700’s seem to rival the opiate addiction crisis of modern times.
At this stage I almost saw the bubbly introductory enthusiasm for Regency Fiction and Jane Austen style romance as clever satire, given the grimmer tone of much of the rest! But I’m sure this book is intended to simply restore the balance to those who find the Georgian/Regency era a fascinating period in British history (as I do).
Purely for my tastes, if the book had plunged more directly into the history of the era it’d be 5* but even as it is it’s still a well written 4* from me.
Recommended for those interested in the era and in Jane Austen’s works.
August 15, 2017
This book is really written as a guide to writers, but if you have any interest in the Regency and Victorian eras, you'll probably enjoy this.
January 16, 2018
Some super minor textual and formatting errors, but the work is far too interesting to worry about such details. Highly, highly recommended for authors, readers, and history buffs.
July 12, 2023
I met Krista D. Ball at the 2022 Edmonton Expo, after I attended her panel on Jane Austen. She was kind, entertaining, and very well informed on the time period in which Jane Austen lived. It compelled me to purchase this book, which I do not regret. I tend to stick to fiction and narrative non-fiction. This was more of a reference text, but the author had a nice, easy to follow, and somewhat humorous writing style that made me want to keep reading. There were lots of sources provided, which gives me the impression that it’s incredibly well researched, although I cannot confirm that as I am not knowledgeable on the time period.
The book wasn’t super relevant to me at times, as it was primarily aimed at writers and features lots of prompts and suggestions for improving your historical fiction, Steampunk, and such. Still, it was very general and beginner friendly. At times, I wish it had gone more in depth on certain topics, but it really opened my eyes to what life was like in the Georgian and Victorian eras. I would most likely have been poor, working just as hard as a man to earn half the money as him and have no rights. Water was basically poison, women had six or seven babies on average and complications were super common during childbirth. One in five women was working as a prostitute, just to be able to afford to live. Oh, and at least I’m white, because minorities were often enslaved back then. Times are tough now, but conditions were much worse than I had imagined based on reading Jane Austen’s novels! I feel that I’ve gained a good understanding of average life in the 1700s and 1800s. I’ll likely buy the author’s other non-fiction book at the 2023 Edmonton Expo if she’s there! I would highly recommend this text if you’re a writer, but it’s also pretty engaging if you’re not. 3.75/5 July 11 2023
The book wasn’t super relevant to me at times, as it was primarily aimed at writers and features lots of prompts and suggestions for improving your historical fiction, Steampunk, and such. Still, it was very general and beginner friendly. At times, I wish it had gone more in depth on certain topics, but it really opened my eyes to what life was like in the Georgian and Victorian eras. I would most likely have been poor, working just as hard as a man to earn half the money as him and have no rights. Water was basically poison, women had six or seven babies on average and complications were super common during childbirth. One in five women was working as a prostitute, just to be able to afford to live. Oh, and at least I’m white, because minorities were often enslaved back then. Times are tough now, but conditions were much worse than I had imagined based on reading Jane Austen’s novels! I feel that I’ve gained a good understanding of average life in the 1700s and 1800s. I’ll likely buy the author’s other non-fiction book at the 2023 Edmonton Expo if she’s there! I would highly recommend this text if you’re a writer, but it’s also pretty engaging if you’re not. 3.75/5 July 11 2023
January 29, 2018
A great starting point for anyone who wants to write about the Regency and Victorian era. As someone who loves steampunk, I'd recommend this to anyone interested in the eras, not just writers. There is a lot of information about all walks for life in the eras, and reference material for anyone looking to delve further.
I highly recommend this books, as well as her other book about the Medieval era, What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank.
I highly recommend this books, as well as her other book about the Medieval era, What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank.
June 14, 2025
I have no intention of writing anything set in the Regency and Victorian eras, but I do enjoy being a more conscientious consumer of such media. I also just enjoy learning about the life of poor people in the past to feel a sense of social progress.
April 19, 2020
Well researched. Another goodie for the reference shelf in my personal library of Victoriana books.
June 8, 2014
I don't tend to read much non-fiction unless it's work-related. But Ball is one of my favorite fiction authors, I read and enjoyed the first book in this series, and she'd been sharing teasers from this book on Twitter and facebook, so I knew I wanted to read this. I wish she'd been my history teacher in high school or college. She has a relaxed, sometimes snarky, style that doesn't forgo thoroughness or accuracy. She's done her research and it shows but she's never dull or dry. The book is intended not just for writers, but anyone interested in history.
Of course, Hustlers isn't just for writers, even though it's a writer's guide. If you're in love with Major Richard Sharpe (hubba hubba), laughed at Mrs. Bennet, or dress up at fan conventions as a steampunkress, you're my kind of people... They might be writers, who are creating fiction steeped in reality. They might be readers, who want to know the bigger context of the stories they love. Others want to peek into the lives of people from another era.
In "Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes", Ball looks at the Georgian and Regency eras in London, England. She looks at the range of social classes and what their typical behavior was, she looks at food and eating habits, jobs that were available, and other daily matters as well as common misconceptions about those eras. It's not an exhaustive book, but an introduction. It's intended as a reference for authors writing about those time periods so that those writings will be accurate and have period flavor. For instance, she talks about a book she read set during the Regency where a heroine ate a ham sandwich. Not a problem, ham was eaten then, except that it was deli ham and that was a glaring anachronism since deli ham wasn't available then. And although many people bemoan fast food, most are unaware that it's not a new phenomenon. There are all sorts of tidbits and facts to be found and I will definitely be reading with a more critical eye any novels set during the Georgian or Regency periods.
Since this is not an exhaustive reference work, Ball scratches the surface when it comes to details but there's more than enough to give you a feel for how it was. Some things I already knew, while much I didn't, and things that I'd read in books or seen in movies but never understood suddenly made sense.
"Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes" was fun to read, Ball is articulate, passionate and humorous, and I loved the character sketches with mini biographies of real people from the Georgian and Regency eras that were scattered throughout the book. The drawings by Stephan Lorenz add to the text. If you enjoy reading historical novels or learning more about history and how people live, you need this book. It's a fairly fast read, enjoyable, informative, and interesting.
And the next time you're moaning about doing chores around the house, read the chapter where Ball re-enacts the life of a maid and cleans her house and cooks the way it was done back then, eating only what the maid would have eaten and wearing an outfit similar to hers. I have a much better appreciation for my conveniences and technology!
Of course, Hustlers isn't just for writers, even though it's a writer's guide. If you're in love with Major Richard Sharpe (hubba hubba), laughed at Mrs. Bennet, or dress up at fan conventions as a steampunkress, you're my kind of people... They might be writers, who are creating fiction steeped in reality. They might be readers, who want to know the bigger context of the stories they love. Others want to peek into the lives of people from another era.
In "Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes", Ball looks at the Georgian and Regency eras in London, England. She looks at the range of social classes and what their typical behavior was, she looks at food and eating habits, jobs that were available, and other daily matters as well as common misconceptions about those eras. It's not an exhaustive book, but an introduction. It's intended as a reference for authors writing about those time periods so that those writings will be accurate and have period flavor. For instance, she talks about a book she read set during the Regency where a heroine ate a ham sandwich. Not a problem, ham was eaten then, except that it was deli ham and that was a glaring anachronism since deli ham wasn't available then. And although many people bemoan fast food, most are unaware that it's not a new phenomenon. There are all sorts of tidbits and facts to be found and I will definitely be reading with a more critical eye any novels set during the Georgian or Regency periods.
Since this is not an exhaustive reference work, Ball scratches the surface when it comes to details but there's more than enough to give you a feel for how it was. Some things I already knew, while much I didn't, and things that I'd read in books or seen in movies but never understood suddenly made sense.
"Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes" was fun to read, Ball is articulate, passionate and humorous, and I loved the character sketches with mini biographies of real people from the Georgian and Regency eras that were scattered throughout the book. The drawings by Stephan Lorenz add to the text. If you enjoy reading historical novels or learning more about history and how people live, you need this book. It's a fairly fast read, enjoyable, informative, and interesting.
And the next time you're moaning about doing chores around the house, read the chapter where Ball re-enacts the life of a maid and cleans her house and cooks the way it was done back then, eating only what the maid would have eaten and wearing an outfit similar to hers. I have a much better appreciation for my conveniences and technology!
February 7, 2021
This is an excellent, and excellently researched, nonfiction book specifically for writers of fiction set in Georgian and Victorian London, or variations thereof, such as steampunk. It mostly concerns people rarely thought about.
It’s written in an amusing, casual style that’s easy to read. Occasionally, the text proper is interspersed with short biographies of noteworthy people not frequently talked about, historical cooking recipes, and so forth. It’s very concise and rich in information. Occasionally using the example of two fictional characters, the author explains what everyday life was like for people in Georgian and Victorian London, listing examples of what they might have thought or done about various things.
There are two things particularly noteworthy about it: The first is the author’s very physical commitment. Not only has she cooked various recipes from historical cookbooks, but also “worked as a maid” so she could illustrate the toil these girls went through.
The second is that this is a book about groups of people often forgotten in historical fiction. There are chapters devoted to PoC (particularly Black ones), LGBT+ folks, sex workers etc., plus tons of information of working class/poor people life in general.
There are many details that make this book especially useful, such as mentions of what cost or earned how much, strange professions one might never even have realised existed, and a glossary at the end, to help one’s own writing and research.
Overall, the book nicely illustrates how destitute the vast majority of people were back then, what “true” poverty was like, but also how these people got by. I’ve been interested in and actively researching Georgian/Victorian England for a long time(10+ years), yet learned TONS from it. I’d recommend it to not just authors who write novels set in Georgian/Victorian England or a fantasy inspired by it but anyone who is interested in the era or wants to write anything about poor people and minorities in past days in any European (inspired) setting at all
CNs for discussion of food, alcohol, sex, prostitution, rape, sickness, slavery, human exhibition, death, abandonment of children, general descriptions of violence, particularly against PoC and LGBT+ folks, and general old-timey sexism, racism, homomisia etc.
(Though only applied by the people of the times described and the sources quoted, never by the author herself, who as far as I can tell is a lovely person, LGBT+ friendly feminist and all that.)
It’s written in an amusing, casual style that’s easy to read. Occasionally, the text proper is interspersed with short biographies of noteworthy people not frequently talked about, historical cooking recipes, and so forth. It’s very concise and rich in information. Occasionally using the example of two fictional characters, the author explains what everyday life was like for people in Georgian and Victorian London, listing examples of what they might have thought or done about various things.
There are two things particularly noteworthy about it: The first is the author’s very physical commitment. Not only has she cooked various recipes from historical cookbooks, but also “worked as a maid” so she could illustrate the toil these girls went through.
The second is that this is a book about groups of people often forgotten in historical fiction. There are chapters devoted to PoC (particularly Black ones), LGBT+ folks, sex workers etc., plus tons of information of working class/poor people life in general.
There are many details that make this book especially useful, such as mentions of what cost or earned how much, strange professions one might never even have realised existed, and a glossary at the end, to help one’s own writing and research.
Overall, the book nicely illustrates how destitute the vast majority of people were back then, what “true” poverty was like, but also how these people got by. I’ve been interested in and actively researching Georgian/Victorian England for a long time(10+ years), yet learned TONS from it. I’d recommend it to not just authors who write novels set in Georgian/Victorian England or a fantasy inspired by it but anyone who is interested in the era or wants to write anything about poor people and minorities in past days in any European (inspired) setting at all
CNs for discussion of food, alcohol, sex, prostitution, rape, sickness, slavery, human exhibition, death, abandonment of children, general descriptions of violence, particularly against PoC and LGBT+ folks, and general old-timey sexism, racism, homomisia etc.
(Though only applied by the people of the times described and the sources quoted, never by the author herself, who as far as I can tell is a lovely person, LGBT+ friendly feminist and all that.)
July 21, 2014
Krista has done it again, this book is full of information and knowledge that does not appear in the mainstream, and she has put it all together in a light hearted fun way. Tackling the minefield of 'how much is that in my money' she comes up with numbers that ring true. (Well, a Canadian has a head start from watching the Canadian dollar perform headstands whenever Wall Street hiccups.)I generally do my own equivalences but the value of the Pound in my Regency character's pocket might vary by 50%, depending who I pick as the standard---now I can cross-check with Krista's.
The whole gamut of characters are covered from the hard-up lady who needs a position of governess to the recently freed servant arriving on a ship from the West Indies. Krista's account tallies well with the unpublished academic paper I have on William Wilberforce's promotion of Sierra Leone as a 'homeland' for freed slaves.
And not to forget 'upstairs and downstairs' issues that need some qualifying for the writers who use the TV series as their bible. My Mother was in service from 1919 until she married in 1938 and her stories could almost have been on the same shelves that gave the information here.
And don't forget to take a look at "Krista's recipes for the stout hearted" that the good chef can turn into a tasty repast for a starving family or a banquet.
The whole gamut of characters are covered from the hard-up lady who needs a position of governess to the recently freed servant arriving on a ship from the West Indies. Krista's account tallies well with the unpublished academic paper I have on William Wilberforce's promotion of Sierra Leone as a 'homeland' for freed slaves.
And not to forget 'upstairs and downstairs' issues that need some qualifying for the writers who use the TV series as their bible. My Mother was in service from 1919 until she married in 1938 and her stories could almost have been on the same shelves that gave the information here.
And don't forget to take a look at "Krista's recipes for the stout hearted" that the good chef can turn into a tasty repast for a starving family or a banquet.
Read
August 28, 2016If you enjoy novels set in the Regency, Georgian and Victorian periods, you will enjoy this book. All of us who wondered a "double first", tutor, cornish pastie and etc will enjoy this short book.
September 20, 2016
Amusing and enlightening
Very enjoyable read. Full of information with a light hearted tone. It would ,of course,be very useful to writers of historical fiction but readers who never plans to set pen to paper will enjoy it as well. I enjoyed the author's wit particularly.
Very enjoyable read. Full of information with a light hearted tone. It would ,of course,be very useful to writers of historical fiction but readers who never plans to set pen to paper will enjoy it as well. I enjoyed the author's wit particularly.
June 10, 2015
Great resource for steampunk or historical fictioneers but not as engaging a read for me as her fantasy reference (but that's probably because I write more fantasy than this era).
November 25, 2015
I thought this was a very informative, well organized, and fun read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews