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Infants of the Brush: A Chimney Sweep's Story
by
Infants of the Brush is historical fiction based on Armory v. Delamirie, a 1700s court case before the King’s Bench against Paul de Lamerie, a silversmith. In the vein of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Infants of the Brush is set in a time when London society ignored the ills of child labor. Unlike the gleeful chimney sweeps portrayed in Mary Poppins, climbing boys were fo
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Kindle Edition, 294 pages
Published
November 17th 2017
by Red Acre Press
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Showing 1-30
The story of a group of underprivileged boys living in the 18th century London and exploited as chimney sweeps moved me deeply …
The novel portrays a group of boys - chimney sweeps - who, by poverty and misfortunes, become actually slaves to a heartless Master Armory for several years, until they grow up too big to get inside a chimney. The poverty is behind the forced separation from family, family that is often impossible to regain even if they manage to free themselves from Armory. Egon Whitc ...more
The novel portrays a group of boys - chimney sweeps - who, by poverty and misfortunes, become actually slaves to a heartless Master Armory for several years, until they grow up too big to get inside a chimney. The poverty is behind the forced separation from family, family that is often impossible to regain even if they manage to free themselves from Armory. Egon Whitc ...more
Servitude
Infants of the Brush: A Chimney Sweep’s Story is a polished, skilfully written book, which is illuminating, riveting and profoundly heart-breaking. A.M. Watson recreates the atmospheric world of 1720s London in a similar style as Charles Dickens. The similarity is reinforced regarding children that eked out a living under harsh and brutal conditions, with nothing more than a bowl of gruel to fill empty stomachs, and a tyrant to answer to.
Egan Whitcombe is just a 6-year-old boy, who is ...more
Infants of the Brush: A Chimney Sweep’s Story is a polished, skilfully written book, which is illuminating, riveting and profoundly heart-breaking. A.M. Watson recreates the atmospheric world of 1720s London in a similar style as Charles Dickens. The similarity is reinforced regarding children that eked out a living under harsh and brutal conditions, with nothing more than a bowl of gruel to fill empty stomachs, and a tyrant to answer to.
Egan Whitcombe is just a 6-year-old boy, who is ...more
Every time I read about the "olden" days, it breaks me. I'm 55. By now I realize that I should be used to this crap. Yet, I'm always astounded by the monstrosity of humans. Mostly men. How in the hell can people do this? How can you breathe, knowing the harm and agony you've caused? I think this is why I prefer my horror and thrillers. They don't stack up against the true horror that is mankind.
Would I recommend this book?.Yes. But, it will break your heart.
Would I recommend this book?.Yes. But, it will break your heart.
I thought this book was brilliant. It covered the harsh life of children sold into service as Chimney Sweeps during the 18th century. The tasks required of the infants was to climb inside chimneys and sweep out the soot. Sometimes they went in when there was a blockage and a fire was still lit somewhere. The smallest children were the most sought after as they could fit the smallest spaces.
Egan and Pitt are 2 children that fictionalise this story and their characters are so beautifully developed ...more
Egan and Pitt are 2 children that fictionalise this story and their characters are so beautifully developed ...more
The Infants of the Brush story takes place during the industrial revolution in England. It is set in a period of history where children of lower classes were expected to contribute to working society covering all industries. This book focuses on the plight of chimney sweeps. Most chimney sweeps were sold as apprentices to master sweeps from the age of six, however, some took on children as young as four and exploited them to climb very slim chimneys. In reality, it was more a case of enslavement
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This is a moving tale about child labour in the 1700s in London. Egan is a dreamer and very likeable.
Thanks for the recommendation, Peter!
Thanks for the recommendation, Peter!
Audiobook #252
I saw this title on goodreads and had to give this book a try. Infants of the Brush: A Chimney Sweep's Story is a historical fiction book. It takes place around 1720 in England. Egan Whitcombe lived with his family until he was six years old. His father died at sea and his mother is destitute. When his younger sister becomes very ill, his mother sells him to a man who keeps little boys to be chimney sweeps. He is treated badly by the owner. The only boy who shows him kindness is Pitt another bo
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Thank you to Red Acre Press and NetGalley for a reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
Over the past months I've read several books about life in Britian just before and during the Industrial Revolution, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. Although this is shelved as "historical fiction", it is clear that the author has carefully done their research and the story marries historical fact with a fictional narrative extremely well. The author creates the atmosphere of the times, an ...more
Over the past months I've read several books about life in Britian just before and during the Industrial Revolution, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. Although this is shelved as "historical fiction", it is clear that the author has carefully done their research and the story marries historical fact with a fictional narrative extremely well. The author creates the atmosphere of the times, an ...more
Good read!
I really enjoyed this book! I have read a lot about child labor in the past, so I was not surprised by the injustices and hardships, but I felt for the children in this book. I felt they were well developed, and the story was compelling.
I really enjoyed this book! I have read a lot about child labor in the past, so I was not surprised by the injustices and hardships, but I felt for the children in this book. I felt they were well developed, and the story was compelling.
Aug 15, 2018
gj indieBRAG
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
b-r-a-g-medallion-books
We are proud to announce that INFANTS IN THE BRUSH: A chimney Sweep's Story by A.M. Watson is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
This is certainly a five-star-reading for me. I will be recommending it to my friends.
I read this book in one sitting. I DID have to put it down, but only because I became claustrophobic during some of the paragraphs. I don't think a book has ever made me be claustrophobic before!
I've read a lot of historical fiction, so some of the 'facts' didn't shock me, but Ms. Watson's telling of the events was very moving. The interesting thing was, she didn't go for sappy or sentimental. I think the pu ...more
I read this book in one sitting. I DID have to put it down, but only because I became claustrophobic during some of the paragraphs. I don't think a book has ever made me be claustrophobic before!
I've read a lot of historical fiction, so some of the 'facts' didn't shock me, but Ms. Watson's telling of the events was very moving. The interesting thing was, she didn't go for sappy or sentimental. I think the pu ...more
Well researched historical fiction
This is an excellent, well researched book. The author's writing style is that of a well seasoned writer. I love historical fiction. I like to see how the facts match up to the story. It is obvious A. M. Watson did thorough research. The book is engaging. I found it slightly macabre in the details of how these poor children were treated. However, I could not put the book down. I was hoping for some redemption for little Eagan and was relieved that he escaped the ...more
This is an excellent, well researched book. The author's writing style is that of a well seasoned writer. I love historical fiction. I like to see how the facts match up to the story. It is obvious A. M. Watson did thorough research. The book is engaging. I found it slightly macabre in the details of how these poor children were treated. However, I could not put the book down. I was hoping for some redemption for little Eagan and was relieved that he escaped the ...more
It defies belief that young children could be forced to climb hot chimneys to sweep away the soot but that's exactly what they did not so very long ago! This book is beautifully written from the child's perspective and gives a clear sense of their feelings of abandonment and despair, but at the same time their hope of saving for a future freedom. A very moving book, one I thought about for a long time afterwards. Highly recommended. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher, Red Acre Press for a
...more
It defies belief that young children could be forced to climb hot chimneys to sweep away the soot but that's exactly what they did not so very long ago! This book is beautifully written from the child's perspective and gives a clear sense of their feelings of abandonment and despair, but at the same time their hope of saving for a future freedom. A very moving book, one I thought about for a long time afterwards. Highly recommended. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher, Red Acre Press for a
...more
Moving
Since Egan's story is based on accounts on record, I found myself believing every word written. Well constructed and definitely a great read.
Since Egan's story is based on accounts on record, I found myself believing every word written. Well constructed and definitely a great read.
Oh my, this book! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it was funny, tragic, and then downright unbearable. A very well researched and written story.
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