The Exiles: A Novel by Christina Baker Kline takes place in 1840s England, Australia and at sea. Based on historical facts, the heartrending novel captures the hardship of women convicts and the oppression of a child caught up in adult whims.

Mathinna, 8, is an orphaned Aboriginal girl living on Flinders Island, Australia. Governor Sir John and Mrs. Franklin visit the “natives” and Mrs. Franklin decides to take Mathinna home with them. It would be interesting, she thought, to see if Mathinna could adapt to “civilized ways.” They return home to Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land, Australia.

Evangeline, 21, well educated but naive, serves as governess to the children of a wealthy family, the Whitstones, in St. John’s Wood, London. She is accused of stealing a valuable ring belonging to Cecil Frederic Whitstone. Although Cecil gave her the ring, he currently is not at home and cannot vouch for her. In addition, she tussles with the maid who found the ring and Evangeline accidentally pushes the maid down the stairs. To make matters worse, Evangeline is pregnant with Cecil’s child. She’s sent to prison, then finally sentenced to 14 years for theft and attempted murder, and exiled to Australia. She travels by sea with other women prisoners on the filthy slave ship, Madea, enduring four months of rough passages, sweltering sun and icy rain.

Hazel, 16, a fellow prisoner, has been in and out of trouble most of her life, as had her mother. However, from her mother, she did learn the skill of midwifery and herbal remedies. Hazel is a tough girl, but she and Evangeline form a friendship advantageous to both.

The Madea arrives at Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land, Australia and the passengers taken to prison. The women’s prison is abhorrent and the women treated badly. Eventually, some are assigned jobs working in the community as “convict maids.”

I found The Exiles an engaging novel. The author interlaces the characters’ individual stories into a captivating historical chronicle, all connecting at some point in surprising ways.