Sisters of Freedom in Aussie Readers

Apr 06, 2021 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-authors, net-galley, 2021-release, 5000-2021, read-on-kindle, arc, historical-fiction, own-read

Ivy Merriweather’s eighteenth birthday started on a happy note, with a picnic followed by a walk, a sweet kiss in the bushes – but what occurred later was traumatic and the start of change for all concerned. Ivy’s sisters, Frankie – an advocate for the rights of women – and Aggie – married to Robert but unable to fulfil her dearest wish of motherhood – were close to Ivy. The two unmarried girls lived with their parents, while Aggie and Robert were nearby, and each had a happy, contented life. Wh Ivy Merriweather’s eighteenth birthday started on a happy note, with a picnic followed by a walk, a sweet kiss in the bushes – but what occurred later was traumatic and the start of change for all concerned. Ivy’s sisters, Frankie – an advocate for the rights of women – and Aggie – married to Robert but unable to fulfil her dearest wish of motherhood – were close to Ivy. The two unmarried girls lived with their parents, while Aggie and Robert were nearby, and each had a happy, contented life. When Ivy went missing by the river, with some of her clothing found abandoned and blood pooled nearby, everyone thought the worst and Patrick, Ivy’s beau was blamed…

Riley Logan loved his life on the Hawkesbury River as he delivered medicines and food, among other things, to the settlements along the river’s edge. When Riley spotted the semi naked, unconscious young woman he took her on board his boat, heading for his sister Fiona to care for her. Fiona’s life in poverty with her twins, four-year-olds Tricia and Annie, couldn’t dampen her good nature. She relied on Riley and he was devoted to her. But when he brought the young woman to her dwelling, events were set in place that couldn’t be avoided.

What would be the outcome of that time in Sydney, Australia in 1901 and 1902? When Federation and women’s rights were on the forefront of people’s lips? When most men and politicians decried change, declaring women were second-class citizens? When Ivy, Frankie and Aggie were on the cusp of change?

Sisters of Freedom by Aussie author Mary-Anne O’Connor is a captivating story of three sisters; of striving for independence; of no longer being a chattel to their husbands should they marry. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, fascinated by the history, the Hawkesbury, Wiseman’s Ferry back in the early 1900s. And how the impoverished people coped as apposed to the wealthy. Ms O’Connor’s stories have always kept me enthralled, and Sisters of Freedom was no different. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
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Apr 10, 2021 Helen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copy-from-netgalley

This story has so much going for it, it shows the strength and courage of women in an Australia that has just been declared a federation, it sees the Merriweather sisters Aggie, Frankie and Ivy stand up for what they want and it shows the men who support them along the way, the emotions flow through this one, I loved this story from page one, I made friends with these woman and I hope that you will pick this one up and enjoy it as much as I did.

It is Christmas 1901 and although Australia is now This story has so much going for it, it shows the strength and courage of women in an Australia that has just been declared a federation, it sees the Merriweather sisters Aggie, Frankie and Ivy stand up for what they want and it shows the men who support them along the way, the emotions flow through this one, I loved this story from page one, I made friends with these woman and I hope that you will pick this one up and enjoy it as much as I did.

It is Christmas 1901 and although Australia is now a federation woman still don’t have the vote and Frankie is a staunch supporter for this to happen, marriage is not for her she wants more even though her eldest sister Aggie has been happily married to Robert for three years now and helps out at the local orphanage her younger sister Ivy is a budding artist who helps her father and is looking forward to marriage and a life as a wife and mother in the future, these three sisters are very close and they know how to voice their opinions and stay the best of friends, all of them wanting the vote for woman.

New Year’s Day 1902 and it is Ivy’s birthday and a picnic has been organised and Ivy is hoping to get closer to law student Patrick Earle hoping that one day they will marry when an accident separates Ivy from her family and friends and she is rescued and ends up in the rough Hawkesbury River area, this area is lawless and Ivy is very ill, it is Riley Logan who rescues her and takes her to his sister Fiona to care for her, this accident will change the lives of Aggie, Frankie and Ivy in so many ways.

Marry-Anne O’Connor has penned a story rich in Australian history a time of change in our country, it is a captivating read as it shows the passion and strength that the women of the day had, to make changes for woman, she has bought the Merriweather family to life on the pages as well as the people from the river, it shows the good and the bad in society and for me there were tears of sadness and joy, I was cheering these woman on and yes there are some fabulous men as well. I do highly recommend this one, it is such a great story, one I didn’t want to put down and it makes me proud of the woman of our past.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.
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May 21, 2021 Rhoda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending me a copy of this book to review!

Set in Sydney in 1901, Federation has just occurred, but women are yet to be permitted to vote. The three Merriweather sisters Aggie, Frankie and Ivy along with their parents are passionate advocates for women’s rights. Frankie in particular is determined to dedicate herself to the cause, forgoing marriage and children.

When Ivy has an accident by the Hawkesbury River one day while she is alone, she is found by a boatman wh ...more

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Apr 26, 2021 Bree T rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, australian, feminism, aww2021, historical-fiction-challenge-2021

I really enjoyed this story, set in an interesting time in Australia’s history, where the nation was being granted independence as its own country (despite there already being occupants when the English arrived), but still tied to the British Empire. Also, women were pushing for the right to vote and a large portion of the story revolves around this fight.

Of the three sisters, middle sister Frankie is the most fervent advocate for women’s rights. Although beautiful, she pays no attention to her I really enjoyed this story, set in an interesting time in Australia’s history, where the nation was being granted independence as its own country (despite there already being occupants when the English arrived), but still tied to the British Empire. Also, women were pushing for the right to vote and a large portion of the story revolves around this fight.

Of the three sisters, middle sister Frankie is the most fervent advocate for women’s rights. Although beautiful, she pays no attention to her looks and seems most adamant in not attracting a man, because she never wants to marry and become beholden to someone else. Women can’t own property, cannot work after marrying, are forced by their husbands to do whatever the husband wishes and it’s still legal for a man to physically ‘reprimand’ his wife and also enforce marital rights. Frankie doesn’t want any of this and for her, the best way to ensure that is to never marry. And to never have children. This sometimes puts her at odds with youngest sister Ivy who just wants to find a husband, have a family and be content. She doesn’t have the drive that her sister does and sometimes Frankie makes her feel silly or inferior, because her wants are more simple. For oldest sister Aggie, she’s somewhere in the middle, both longing for a family and supporting women’s rights.

I spent a couple of years living in Western Sydney, near the Hawkesbury River, so I really enjoyed the fact that this novel took us a part of the way up that river, around the areas of Wiseman’s Ferry. Back at this time, there were no roads to this part of the world, a boat was the only way to reach the settlements that had sprung up along the river. The people living there mostly fished or logged and presented in this story, it’s a mix that includes some more unsavoury characters. When smuggler Riley Logan discovers Ivy Merriweather unconscious in the river, he’s aware that if someone else spots her, she could be in a lot of danger so he whisks her up river to his sister Fiona. They nurse her back to health after a violent fever and this innocent interaction makes Ivy question the life she thought she’d mapped out for herself. She has grown up quite wealthy and privileged, with parents that care for her and her sisters with the freedom to speak their minds, study and learn, see themselves worthy of respect. For Fiona, her life has been quite different since she and Riley lost their parents and now she’s married to a lazy drunk, has young twins and another on the way, living in a shack with whispers of even rougher treatment. Ivy’s eyes are opened in a lot of ways, both by Fiona…and by Riley.

I enjoyed how different all three sisters were – Aggie was already married and wanting to be a mother. Frankie was not married and never wanted to get married, nor have children. She wanted to study law (forbidden) and play cricket and do anything that men could do. She shunned anything to do with fashion and looks and romance and seems surprised when a young man indicates to her that some are still interested, despite her attempts to discourage it. When Frankie does find herself having feelings for someone, it’s in a situation that brings her pain and frustration as well as fear of hurting someone very close to her. This was a bit of a complex situation but I thought it was handled well, particularly as the person she fell for and the one she feared hurting had not really interacted all that much and seemed more drawn to the idea of being together rather than each other. And Ivy, the youngest, was so fun and sort of frivolous, but not in a bad way. She appreciated pretty things and I think often felt inferior to her more intelligent sisters, especially Frankie. She was very artistic, perhaps a little shallow but once she spent time with Riley and Fiona and Fiona’s children, I think she saw a different side of life and also came to realise that she did have something to offer, that there was a way for her to contribute. Riley was interesting too, he’s this sort of….good guy doing bad things for the better of those that can’t get what they need. He’s protective of Ivy when he rescues her but without restricting her. He doesn’t want to coddle her, just make sure that no one can hurt her. He also wants her to be her own person, do what she wants and not what she feels is expected of her. They felt like a sweet match, like they were two that would bring out the best in each other.

This was a good blend of entertaining story in terms of romance and family relationships and the struggle for women at a time when their rights were well, almost non-existent. I always read books like this and realise how many things I tend to take for granted, living in this time in the place that I do.

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