The Company Daughters by Samantha Rajaram
I found this to be a very absorbing and page turning read that I just couldn’t put down. I can never resist historical books about ordinary women in difficult situations and have read many books about mail order brides and settlers in new territories overseas.
However this one manages to be quite a bit different, it begins in 17th century Amsterdam, features a wonderful heroine Jana, who drags herself up by the bootstraps ending up in service to the enigmatic Sontje and her kindly father.
When tragedy strikes they end up as mail order brides being sent to the colonies in an outpost known as Batavia (later to become Jakarta) Indonesia is a beautiful and exotic destination and the book is well researched, compelling and very atmospheric, introducing me to a time and place in history I hadn’t come across previously.
Jana finds tragedy can also lead to love and a tender love story is played out whilst harsh and desperate measures are playing out around Jana.
Its hard to believe this is a debut novel as the writing is just superbly accomplished and the story is absorbing and mesmerizing. If, like me you like your women strong when facing tragedy yet believably emotional too, you’ll fall in love with Jana and be rooting for her as she builds a new life in the oppressive heat and colonial ex-pat lifestyle in Batavia.
Published by the wonderful Bookouture in October 2020 this is one historical debut not be missed by fellow enthusiasts for this genre.
I obtained my review copy through Netgalley.
The Blurb
Wanted: Company Daughters. Virtuous young ladies to become the brides of industrious settlers in a foreign land. The Company will pay the cost of the ladies’ dowry and travel. Returns not permitted, orphans preferred.
Amsterdam, 1616. Jana Beil has learned that life rarely provides moments of joy. Having run away from a violent father, her days are spent searching for work in an effort to stay out of the city brothels, where desperate women trade their bodies for a mouthful of bread. But when Jana is hired as a servant for the wealthy and kind Master Reynst and his beautiful daughter Sontje, Jana’s future begins to look brighter.
Then Master Reynst loses his fortune on a bad investment, and everything changes. The house is sold to creditors, leaving Jana back on the streets and Sontje without a future.
With no other choice, Jana and Sontje are forced to sign with the East India Company as Company Daughters: sailing to a colonial outpost to become the brides of male settlers they know nothing about. With fear in their hearts, the girls begin their journey – but what awaits them on the other side of the world is nothing like what they’ve been promised…
Based on true history, this is a beautiful and sensual historical novel, perfect for fans of Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Miniaturist and The Indigo Girl.
