Paperbacks: The Journal of Dora Damage, by Belinda Starling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Vic-Lit gets gets a female-friendly makeover in Belinda Starling's accomplished, and sadly posthumous, debut novel. Set in Lambeth in the 1860s, it follows the fortunes of Dora Damage, her bookbinder husband, Peter, and epileptic daughter, Lucinda.
When Peter is crippled from arthritis, Dora is left facing either "the whorehouse or the workhouse". Instead, she teaches herself the bookbinding trade, receiving commissions from a connoisseur of pornographic texts. Simultaneously repelled and intrigued, Dora has an unexpected education in the ars amatoria. Aiding and abetting her, both professionally and personally, is the fugitive slave, Din Nelson. An entertaining period piece flirts with themes of emancipation and domination, and conjures up south-east London in all her tawdry glory.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments