The Covent Garden Ladies: the book that inspired BBC2’s ‘Harlots’
Nov 2012 · Random House
4.3star
3 reviews
Ebook
432
Pages
About this ebook
From the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling and prizewinning author of THE FIVE
'A fascinating expose of the seamy side of eighteenth century life' MAIL ON SUNDAY
'Rubenhold's pages practically reek with smelly, pox-ridden Georgian Soho' GUARDIAN
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In 1757, a down-and-out Irish poet, the head waiter at the Shakespear's Head Tavern in Covent Garden, and a celebrated London courtesan became bound together by the publication of a little book: Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies. This salacious work - detailing the names and 'specialities' of the capital's sex-workers- became one of the eighteenth century's most scandalous bestsellers.
Yet beyond its titillating passages lies a glimpse into the lives of those who lived and died by its profits - a tragicomic opera of the Georgian era, motivated by poverty, passionate love, aspiration and shame.
In this modern and visceral narrative, historian Hallie Rubenhold reveals the story behind Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies, and the legion of ordinary women whose lives in the sex trade history has chosen to ignore.
______
'Scrupulously researched' DAILY TELEGRAPH
'Crackles with drama and tension' GUARDIAN
'Compelling and ingenious' INDEPENDENT
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
*****'Brilliant. Full of intelligent insight which brings this period to vibrant life'
*****'A wonderful insight into sheer survival of women during this period'
*****'A fascinating, breath-taking journey back in time'
'A fascinating expose of the seamy side of eighteenth century life' MAIL ON SUNDAY
'Rubenhold's pages practically reek with smelly, pox-ridden Georgian Soho' GUARDIAN
----------
In 1757, a down-and-out Irish poet, the head waiter at the Shakespear's Head Tavern in Covent Garden, and a celebrated London courtesan became bound together by the publication of a little book: Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies. This salacious work - detailing the names and 'specialities' of the capital's sex-workers- became one of the eighteenth century's most scandalous bestsellers.
Yet beyond its titillating passages lies a glimpse into the lives of those who lived and died by its profits - a tragicomic opera of the Georgian era, motivated by poverty, passionate love, aspiration and shame.
In this modern and visceral narrative, historian Hallie Rubenhold reveals the story behind Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies, and the legion of ordinary women whose lives in the sex trade history has chosen to ignore.
______
'Scrupulously researched' DAILY TELEGRAPH
'Crackles with drama and tension' GUARDIAN
'Compelling and ingenious' INDEPENDENT
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
*****'Brilliant. Full of intelligent insight which brings this period to vibrant life'
*****'A wonderful insight into sheer survival of women during this period'
*****'A fascinating, breath-taking journey back in time'
Ratings and reviews
4.3
3 reviews
About the author
Hallie Rubenhold is the Number One Sunday Times bestselling and Baillie Gifford Non-Fiction prize-winning social historian whose expertise lies in revealing stories of previously unknown women and episodes in history. By drawing upon a wealth of formerly unseen archival material and adding a full historical context to the victims' lives, The Five changes the narrative of these murders for ever. Rubenhold's books include Lady Worsley's Whim, dramatized by the BBC as 'The Scandalous Lady W', and Covent Garden Ladies: The Extraordinary Story of Harris's List, which inspired the ITV series 'Harlots'. She has also written two acclaimed novels of female intrigue, revenge and betrayal: Mistress of My Fate and The French Lesson. She lives in London with her husband.
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