Christina Baker Kline

A New York Times bestseller."Exquisite. A must-read." --Kristin HannahFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the smash bestseller Orphan Train, a stunning and atmospheric novel of friendship, passion, and art, inspired by Andrew Wyeth's mysterious and iconic painting Christina's World. "Later he told me that he'd been afraid to show me the painting. He thought I wouldn't like the way he portrayed me: dragging myself across the field, fingers clutching dirt, my legs twisted behind. The arid moonscape of wheatgrass and timothy. That dilapidated house in the distance, looming up like a secret that won't stay hidden." To Christina Olson, the entire world is her family farm in the small coastal town of Cushing, Maine. The only daughter in a family of sons, Christina is tied to her home by health and circumstance, and seems destined for a small life. Instead, she becomes Andrew Wyeth's first great inspiration, and the subject of one of the best-known paintings of the twentieth century, Christina's World. As she did in her beloved bestseller Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline interweaves fact and fiction to vividly reimagine a real moment in history. A Piece of the World is a powerful story of the flesh-and-blood woman behind the portrait, her complicated relationship to her family and inheritance, and how artist and muse can come together to forge a new and timeless legacy.This paperback edition includes a color reproduction of Andrew Wyeth's painting Christina's World, along with a Q&A with the author, and a bonus short story, "Stranded in Ice."

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline comes a boldly original reimagining of the astonishing true story of two sisters in nineteenth-century North Carolina -- Kline's own distant relatives -- who married world-famous conjoined twins from Siam. When Eng and Chang Bunker arrive in Wilkes County in 1839, they're not just a curiosity--they're a sensation. Everyone is eager to learn whether the salacious rumors about them are true. Within months, the twins have opened a general store, bought land, and begun building a plantation. Now, word has it, they're looking for wives--and in a place that thrives on gossip and legacy, their ambitions set the community on edge. Sarah and Adelaide Yates, daughters of a once-prominent local family brought low by scandal, are drawn into their orbit. Bold, beautiful Adelaide sees in the twins' fame a chance to reclaim her future. Sarah, quiet and observant, isn't so sure. When the twins' lives become entangled with theirs, they must navigate loyalty, longing, and identity in a world where everything--including race, class, and gender--is rigidly defined. Spanning five decades and unfolding against the backdrop of a fractured nation hurtling toward war, The Foursome is both intimate and epic: a story of love and constraint, identity and reinvention. With piercing insight and emotional precision, Kline brings to life a forgotten chapter of American history and the complex, boundary-defying marriages at its center.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline comes a boldly original reimagining of the astonishing true story of two sisters in nineteenth-century North Carolina -- Kline's own distant relatives -- who married world-famous conjoined twins from Siam. When Eng and Chang Bunker arrive in Wilkes County in 1839, they're not just a curiosity--they're a sensation. Everyone is eager to learn whether the salacious rumors about them are true. Within months, the twins have opened a general store, bought land, and begun building a plantation. Now, word has it, they're looking for wives--and in a place that thrives on gossip and legacy, their ambitions set the community on edge. Sarah and Adelaide Yates, daughters of a once-prominent local family brought low by scandal, are drawn into their orbit. Bold, beautiful Adelaide sees in the twins' fame a chance to reclaim her future. Sarah, quiet and observant, isn't so sure. When the twins' lives become entangled with theirs, they must navigate loyalty, longing, and identity in a world where everything--including race, class, and gender--is rigidly defined. Spanning five decades and unfolding against the backdrop of a fractured nation hurtling toward war, The Foursome is both intimate and epic: a story of love and constraint, identity and reinvention. With piercing insight and emotional precision, Kline brings to life a forgotten chapter of American history and the complex, boundary-defying marriages at its center.

In this stylish, twisty thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline and award-winning author Anne Burt, a young woman heads to the Adirondacks with her new husband for a fresh start--but the past won't let her go.Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family's tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends--a free-spirited couple living on the property--can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying truth: in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.

In this stylish, twisty thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline and award-winning author Anne Burt, a young woman heads to the Adirondacks with her new husband for a fresh start--but the past won't let her go.Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family's tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends--a free-spirited couple living on the property--can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying truth: in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.

Ny storslået historisk roman af forfatteren til Pigen uden navn.Da den unge guvernante Evangeline bliver forført og gjort gravid af sin arbejdsgivers søn, bliver hun fyret fra sin stilling og sendt til det kummerlige Newgate-fængsel i London. Efter flere måneder i fangenskab bliver hun endelig dømt og sendt af sted til Van Diemen’s Land, som er en af Englands nye straffefangekolonier i Australien. Sammen med en række andre fanger skibes hun tværs over jordkloden på det tidligere slaveskib Medea. Fremtiden er usikker, men Evangeline ved én ting: Barnet, hun bærer på, vil blive født til søs.Undervejs bliver Evangeline gode venner med Hazel, som er dømt for at stjæle en sølvske. Hazel er en dygtig jordemoder med viden om helbredende urter, og snart tilbyder hun sine tjenester til både de andre fanger og sømændene ombord i bytte mod andre tjenester. Selvom Australien har været hjem for det aboriginske folk i mere end 50.000 år, opfatter den britiske regering i 1840’erne dem som en pestilens, der blot skal skaffes af vejen. Da Medea lægger til havn, er store grupper mennesker blevet fordrevet fra deres hjem, og landet er overtaget af hvide kolonister. En af de tvangsforflyttede er den forældreløse stammelederdatter Mathinna, hvis vej Hazel krydser. Hun er blevet adopteret af guvernøren på Van Diemen’s Land og er til sin store sorg nu tvunget til at leve efter guvernørparrets engelske levevis. I denne gribende historiske roman giver bestsellerforfatter Christina Baker Kline stemme til tre kvinders gribende skæbnefortællinger, mens hun kaster nyt lys over et mørkt kapitel i verdenshistorien. På trods af modgang og ondskab vil nyt liv spire frem, og venskaber vil komme til at sætte deres præg på kvindernes liv for altid. CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE er amerikansk bestsellerforfatter. Hun har modtaget flere priser for sine romaner, som udkommer i 40 lande, og hun fik sit internationale gennembrud med bogen Orphan Train – Pigen uden navn, som har solgt over 50.000 eksemplarer i Danmark, og som lå på New York Times’ bestsellerliste hver uge i over to år i træk. DE FORVISTE er hendes anden roman på dansk, og filmrettighederne er solgt til produktionsselskabet, som stod bag tv-serierne Big Little Lies og The Undoing. ”Både opløftende og hjerteskærende. I et smukt sprog hylder denne roman modet og modstandskraften.” – Library Journal ”Christina Baker Kline – en af USA’s førende historiske romanforfattere.” – Kirkus Reviews

Peagi kaheksateistkümneseks saav Molly Ayer teab, et tal ei ole enam palju võimalusi jäänud. Veel mõni kuu ja ta on liiga vana, et elada edasi oma kasuperes, ning ühiskasulik töö ühe vana naise juures, kellel ta aitab maja tühjaks teha, on ainus, mis hoiab teda noortevanglasse sattumast. Vivian Daly on veetnud oma elu vaikselt Maine'i rannikul. Aga tema maja pööningul, reisikirstudes peidus, on jäänused tema uskumatust minevikust. Aidates Vivianil tema asju ja mälestusi sorteerida, avastab Molly, et nad Vivianiga ei olegi nii erinevad, kui pealtnäha paistab. Lapsena New Yorgis orvuks jäänud iiri emigrant pandi koos sadade teiste lastega Keskläände suunduvale rongile, nende saatused õnne ja juhuse meelevallas. Mida lähedasemaks Molly ja Vivian saavad, seda enam näeb tüdruk Viviani loos paralleele omaenda eluga. Ka tema on heidik, keda kasvatasid võõrad, ka temal on oma mineviku kohta vastamata küsimusi. Kui hakkavad murenema need müürid, mille Molly on enda ümber ehitanud, avastab tüdruk, et tal on võime aidata Vivianil leida vastused saladustele, mis on vana naist kogu tema elu kummitanud - vastuseid, mis on lõpuks nende mõlema jaoks vabastavad. "Orvurong" on võimas romaan segi paisatud eludest ja vastupidavusest, uutest võimalustest ja ootamatutest sõprussidemetest ning saladustest meie sees, mis ei luba meil avastada enda tõelist mina.

En umiddelbar New York Times bestselger! Produsentene av Big Little Lies har opsjon på TV-serien.Forfatteren av bestselgeren Barna fra toget vender her tilbake med en ambisiøs, følelsessterk roman om tre kvinner, hvis liv er knyttet til hverandre i et nytt samfunn i Australia på 1800-tallet.Evangeline er en ung og naiv guvernante i London da hun blir forført av sønnen til arbeidsgiveren sin. Hun blir gravid og sendes til det beryktede fengselet Newgate. Etter noen måneder i det illeluktende, overfylte fengselet får hun vite at hun skal overflyttes til en straffekoloni i Australia, "landet bortenfor alle hav". Fremtiden er usikker, men Evangeline vet én ting: Barnet hun bærer, vil bli født under overfarten dit. Underveis blir Evangeline kjent med Hazel, som ble dømt til syv års fengsel for å stjele en sølvskje. Hazel eren dyktig jordmor med kunnskap om helbredende urter. Snart tilbyr hun sine tjenester til både de andre fangene og sjømennene, i bytte mot andre tjenester.Selv om Australia har vært aboriginenes hjemland i mer enn 50 000 år, har de blitt sett på som en plage av den britiske regjeringen. Mange er blitt tvangsflyttet, og landet er overtatt av hvite kolonister. En av de tvangsflyttede er foreldreløse Mathinna, datteren av en stammeleder, som nå er adoptert av den nye guvernøren. I denne storslagne romanen blir vi kjent med et nytt samfunn i et vakkert land som står overfor mange utfordringer. Her fortelles historien om Australia fra et friskt perspektiv gjennom opplevelsene til Evangeline, Hazel og Mathinna. Livet i Australia kan være hardt og brutalt, men for noen er det også en mulighet til å begynne på nytt. "Nydelig. Skildrer et gryende samfunn på en strålende måte." Kristin Hannah "Dyktige Christina Baker Kline er på sitt beste i denne episke og samtidig nærgående fortellingen om 1800-tallets Australia. Jeg elsket denne boka." Paula McLain, forfatter"Et mesterverk fylt av originale tanker, fantasi og håp ... Kline utnytter skjønnlitteraturens evne til å skape interessante karakterer for å belyse viktige historiske hendelser, slik at den skal være lett tilgjengelig og aldri glemmes." Houston Chronicle "Storslagen ... Denne historieleksjonen blir mesterlig utført av Kline, en av våre dyktigste forfattere innen historisk fiksjon. Denne fascinerende 1800-talls versjonen av Orange is the new black er raffinert, smart og dramaturgisk spennende." Kirkus Reviews "Denne romanen er både oppløftende og hjerteskjærende, og viker ikke unna for hesligheten i straffesystemet, men hyller tapperheten og styrken til både de innfødte og innflytterne som kom etter dem, frivillig eller ei, for å skape et nytt liv for seg selv og sine barn." Library Journal "Fengende ... fylt av overraskende vendinger, empatisk prosa og oppsiktsvekkende historiske detaljer. Klines sterke fortelling vil glede alle som leser historiske romaner." Publishers Weekly "Kline balanserer tragedie og barmhjertighet på behendig vis og gjør det vanskelig, men desto mer tilfredsstillende, å få til en lykkelig slutt ... Lesesirkler vil ha mye å diskutere, som viktigheten av utdannelse, både formell og uformell, i denne gripende boken." Booklist “En hyllest til det båndet som finnes mellom kvinner (…) utforsker hvordan menneskerkan holde ut et liv som virker forutbestemt for lidelse.” Real Simple "Intelligent og tilfredsstillende dramatisk.” Newsday “[Klines] research, sammen med hennes evner til å skrive en fengende historie, samles i en uhyre spennende fortelling som får leseren til å holde pusten helt frem til den hjerteskjærende avslutningen." Bookreporter

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLEROPTIONED FOR TELEVISION BY BRUNA PAPANDREA, THE PRODUCER OF HBO'S BIG LITTLE LIES"A tour de force of original thought, imagination and promise ... Kline takes full advantage of fiction -- its freedom to create compelling characters who fully illuminate monumental events to make history accessible and forever etched in our minds." -- Houston ChronicleThe author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Orphan Train returns with an ambitious, emotionally resonant novel about three women whose lives are bound together in nineteenth-century Australia and the hardships they weather together as they fight for redemption and freedom in a new society. Seduced by her employer's son, Evangeline, a na ve young governess in early nineteenth-century London, is discharged when her pregnancy is discovered and sent to the notorious Newgate Prison. After months in the fetid, overcrowded jail, she learns she is sentenced to "the land beyond the seas," Van Diemen's Land, a penal colony in Australia. Though uncertain of what awaits, Evangeline knows one thing: the child she carries will be born on the months-long voyage to this distant land. During the journey on a repurposed slave ship, the Medea, Evangeline strikes up a friendship with Hazel, a girl little older than her former pupils who was sentenced to seven years transport for stealing a silver spoon. Canny where Evangeline is guileless, Hazel--a skilled midwife and herbalist--is soon offering home remedies to both prisoners and sailors in return for a variety of favors. Though Australia has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, the British government in the 1840s considers its fledgling colony uninhabited and unsettled, and views the natives as an unpleasant nuisance. By the time the Medea arrives, many of them have been forcibly relocated, their land seized by white colonists. One of these relocated people is Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of the Chief of the Lowreenne tribe, who has been adopted by the new governor of Van Diemen's Land. In this gorgeous novel, Christina Baker Kline brilliantly recreates the beginnings of a new society in a beautiful and challenging land, telling the story of Australia from a fresh perspective, through the experiences of Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna. While life in Australia is punishing and often brutally unfair, it is also, for some, an opportunity: for redemption, for a new way of life, for unimagined freedom. Told in exquisite detail and incisive prose, The Exiles is a story of grace born from hardship, the unbreakable bonds of female friendships, and the unfettering of legacy.

'Christina's level of research into characters, place and time to tell a powerful story of suffering and survival in an historical fiction is masterful' Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz 'Gorgeous' Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale London, 1840. Evangeline has languished in Newgate prison for months, falsely accused of stealing her master's ring. Now beginning the long journey to Australia on a prison ship, she hopes for a new life for both her and her unborn child. On board she befriends Hazel, sentenced to seven years' transport for theft, whose own path will cross with an orphaned indigenous girl. The governor of Tasmania has 'adopted' Mathinna, but the family treat her more as a curiosity than a child. Amid hardships and cruelties, new life will take root in stolen soil and friendships will define lives, but only some will find their place on the other side of the world. 'Master storyteller Christina Baker Kline is at her best in this epic tale of Australia's complex history-a vivid and rewarding feat of both empathy and imagination. I loved this book' Paula McLain, bestselling author of The Paris Wife

London, 1840. Evangeline, pregnant and falsely accused of stealing, has languished in Newgate prison for months. Ahead now lies the journey to Australia on a prison ship. On board, Evangeline befriends Hazel, sentenced to seven years' transport for theft. Soon Hazel's path will cross with an orphaned indigenous girl. Mathinna is 'adopted' by the new governor of Tasmania where the family treat her more like a curiosity than a child. Amid hardships and cruelties, new life will take root in stolen soil, friendships will define lives, and some will find their place in a new society in the land beyond the seas.

London, 1840. Evangeline, pregnant and falsely accused of stealing, has languished in Newgate prison for months. Ahead now lies the journey to Australia on a prison ship. On board, Evangeline befriends Hazel, sentenced to seven years' transport for theft. Soon Hazel's path will cross with an orphaned indigenous girl. Mathinna is 'adopted' by the new governor of Tasmania where the family treat her more like a curiosity than a child. Amid hardships and cruelties, new life will take root in stolen soil, friendships will define lives, and some will find their place in a new society in the land beyond the seas.

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Orphan Train returns with an ambitious, emotionally resonant historical novel that captures the hardship, oppression, opportunity and hope of a trio of women’s lives—two English convicts and an orphaned Aboriginal girl — in nineteenth-century Australia.Seduced by her employer’s son, Evangeline, a naïve young governess in early nineteenth-century London, is discharged when her pregnancy is discovered and sent to the notorious Newgate Prison. After months in the fetid, overcrowded jail, she learns she is sentenced to “the land beyond the seas,” Van Diemen’s Land, a penal colony in Australia. Though uncertain of what awaits, Evangeline knows one thing: the child she carries will be born on the months-long voyage to this distant land. During the journey on a repurposed slave ship, the Medea, Evangeline strikes up a friendship with Hazel, a girl little older than her former pupils who was sentenced to seven years transport for stealing a silver spoon. Canny where Evangeline is guileless, Hazel—a skilled midwife and herbalist—is soon offering home remedies to both prisoners and sailors in return for a variety of favors. Though Australia has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, the British government in the 1840s considers its fledgling colony uninhabited and unsettled, and views the natives as an unpleasant nuisance. By the time the Medea arrives, many of them have been forcibly relocated, their land seized by white colonists. One of these relocated people is Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of the Chief of the Lowreenne tribe, who has been adopted by the new governor of Van Diemen’s Land. In this gorgeous novel, Christina Baker Kline brilliantly recreates the beginnings of a new society in a beautiful and challenging land, telling the story of Australia from a fresh perspective, through the experiences of Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna. While life in Australia is punishing and often brutally unfair, it is also, for some, an opportunity: for redemption, for a new way of life, for unimagined freedom. Told in exquisite detail and incisive prose, The Exiles is a story of grace born from hardship, the unbreakable bonds of female friendships, and the unfettering of legacy.

OPTIONED FOR TELEVISION BY BRUNA PAPANDREA, THE PRODUCER OF HBO'S BIG LITTLE LIES"A tour de force of original thought, imagination and promise ... Kline takes full advantage of fiction -- its freedom to create compelling characters who fully illuminate monumental events to make history accessible and forever etched in our minds. -- Houston ChronicleThe author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Orphan Train returns with an ambitious, emotionally resonant novel that captures the hardship, oppression, opportunity and hope of a trio of women's lives in nineteenth-century Australia.Seduced by her employer's son, Evangeline, a na ve young governess in early nineteenth-century London, is discharged when her pregnancy is discovered and sent to the notorious Newgate Prison. After months in the fetid, overcrowded jail, she learns she is sentenced to "the land beyond the seas," Van Diemen's Land, a penal colony in Australia. Though uncertain of what awaits, Evangeline knows one thing: the child she carries will be born on the months-long voyage to this distant land. During the journey on a repurposed slave ship, the Medea, Evangeline strikes up a friendship with Hazel, a girl little older than her former pupils who was sentenced to seven years transport for stealing a silver spoon. Canny where Evangeline is guileless, Hazel--a skilled midwife and herbalist--is soon offering home remedies to both prisoners and sailors in return for a variety of favors.Though Australia has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, the British government in the 1840s considers its fledgling colony uninhabited and unsettled, and views the natives as an unpleasant nuisance. By the time the Medea arrives, many of them have been forcibly relocated, their land seized by white colonists. One of these relocated people is Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of the Chief of the Lowreenne tribe, who has been adopted by the new governor of Van Diemen's Land.In this gorgeous novel, Christina Baker Kline brilliantly recreates the beginnings of a new society in a beautiful and challenging land, telling the story of Australia from a fresh perspective, through the experiences of Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna. While life in Australia is punishing and often brutally unfair, it is also, for some, an opportunity: for redemption, for a new way of life, for unimagined freedom. Told in exquisite detail and incisive prose, The Exiles is a story of grace born from hardship, the unbreakable bonds of female friendships, and the unfettering of legacy.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLEROPTIONED FOR TELEVISION BY BRUNA PAPANDREA, THE PRODUCER OF HBO'S BIG LITTLE LIES"A tour de force of original thought, imagination and promise ... Kline takes full advantage of fiction -- its freedom to create compelling characters who fully illuminate monumental events to make history accessible and forever etched in our minds." -- Houston ChronicleThe author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Orphan Train returns with an ambitious, emotionally resonant novel about three women whose lives are bound together in nineteenth-century Australia and the hardships they weather together as they fight for redemption and freedom in a new society. Seduced by her employer's son, Evangeline, a na ve young governess in early nineteenth-century London, is discharged when her pregnancy is discovered and sent to the notorious Newgate Prison. After months in the fetid, overcrowded jail, she learns she is sentenced to "the land beyond the seas," Van Diemen's Land, a penal colony in Australia. Though uncertain of what awaits, Evangeline knows one thing: the child she carries will be born on the months-long voyage to this distant land. During the journey on a repurposed slave ship, the Medea, Evangeline strikes up a friendship with Hazel, a girl little older than her former pupils who was sentenced to seven years transport for stealing a silver spoon. Canny where Evangeline is guileless, Hazel--a skilled midwife and herbalist--is soon offering home remedies to both prisoners and sailors in return for a variety of favors. Though Australia has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, the British government in the 1840s considers its fledgling colony uninhabited and unsettled, and views the natives as an unpleasant nuisance. By the time the Medea arrives, many of them have been forcibly relocated, their land seized by white colonists. One of these relocated people is Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of the Chief of the Lowreenne tribe, who has been adopted by the new governor of Van Diemen's Land. In this gorgeous novel, Christina Baker Kline brilliantly recreates the beginnings of a new society in a beautiful and challenging land, telling the story of Australia from a fresh perspective, through the experiences of Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna. While life in Australia is punishing and often brutally unfair, it is also, for some, an opportunity: for redemption, for a new way of life, for unimagined freedom. Told in exquisite detail and incisive prose, The Exiles is a story of grace born from hardship, the unbreakable bonds of female friendships, and the unfettering of legacy.

OPTIONED FOR TELEVISION BY BRUNA PAPANDREA, THE PRODUCER OF HBO'S BIG LITTLE LIES"A tour de force of original thought, imagination and promise ... Kline takes full advantage of fiction -- its freedom to create compelling characters who fully illuminate monumental events to make history accessible and forever etched in our minds. -- Houston ChronicleThe author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Orphan Train returns with an ambitious, emotionally resonant novel that captures the hardship, oppression, opportunity and hope of a trio of women's lives in nineteenth-century Australia.Seduced by her employer's son, Evangeline, a na ve young governess in early nineteenth-century London, is discharged when her pregnancy is discovered and sent to the notorious Newgate Prison. After months in the fetid, overcrowded jail, she learns she is sentenced to "the land beyond the seas," Van Diemen's Land, a penal colony in Australia. Though uncertain of what awaits, Evangeline knows one thing: the child she carries will be born on the months-long voyage to this distant land. During the journey on a repurposed slave ship, the Medea, Evangeline strikes up a friendship with Hazel, a girl little older than her former pupils who was sentenced to seven years transport for stealing a silver spoon. Canny where Evangeline is guileless, Hazel--a skilled midwife and herbalist--is soon offering home remedies to both prisoners and sailors in return for a variety of favors.Though Australia has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, the British government in the 1840s considers its fledgling colony uninhabited and unsettled, and views the natives as an unpleasant nuisance. By the time the Medea arrives, many of them have been forcibly relocated, their land seized by white colonists. One of these relocated people is Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of the Chief of the Lowreenne tribe, who has been adopted by the new governor of Van Diemen's Land.In this gorgeous novel, Christina Baker Kline brilliantly recreates the beginnings of a new society in a beautiful and challenging land, telling the story of Australia from a fresh perspective, through the experiences of Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna. While life in Australia is punishing and often brutally unfair, it is also, for some, an opportunity: for redemption, for a new way of life, for unimagined freedom. Told in exquisite detail and incisive prose, The Exiles is a story of grace born from hardship, the unbreakable bonds of female friendships, and the unfettering of legacy.