Kirkus Review
The destinies of two indentured servants from Europe converge in the American colonies in this debut novel.
Malvina “Mallie” Ambrose spends July 1729 alone and scared in London’s Newgate Prison. An orphan, she was raised by
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Batt, a thief who used Mallie as a distraction while committing her crimes. When one of Lizzie’s
schemes went wrong, both were arrested and landed in Newgate. After a brief trial, Mallie is sent to the American colonies
with other convicts. Meanwhile, in the province of Ulster in Ireland, Blair Eakins faces an uncertain future. His father is
dead and his community is impoverished with no viable opportunities for him or his brother, Ronald. After hearing about
work in America, Blair reluctantly leaves his sweetheart, Janet Ferry, and embarks with his brother on a long and
dangerous voyage to Pennsylvania. Mallie ends up in Maryland, where she is purchased by a landowner named Bradnox
to work on his estate, Prosperity. In Pennsylvania, the Eakins brothers separate and Blair begins an indenture with a
cordwainer named Jeffrey Craig. By 1736, a twist of fate brings Mallie and Blair together in the same home and they
eventually fall in love. After Blair saves Mallie from abuse, he devises a desperate plan to find Ronald and secure their
freedom, setting into motion a series of events that threaten to separate the lovers forever. Zuno’s novel is a splendid
historical epic with complex characters and richly drawn settings. The nuanced, well-developed narrative spans nearly a
decade as it follows Mallie’s and Blair’s journeys to America and the difficult circumstances of their lives as indentured
servants. The author’s sturdy, workmanlike prose perfectly captures the joys and sorrows of the protagonists as they
struggle to build new lives in America (“Livid, Blair watched the darkness swallow Ronald. He could not imagine ever
talking to him again. At the same time, he knew he probably would never see his mother, uncle, or any other member of
his family. He felt like a castaway”). Although the tale primarily centers on Mallie and Blair, the myriad supporting
characters have equally memorable storylines, including Lucius Groom, a man who recognizes and nurtures Blair’s
musical talents, and Ronald. Setting is a key component of the book and the narrative deftly moves from England and
Ireland to Maryland and Pennsylvania.
An accomplished and stirring tale from a promising new author of historical fiction.
Malvina “Mallie” Ambrose spends July 1729 alone and scared in London’s Newgate Prison. An orphan, she was raised by
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Batt, a thief who used Mallie as a distraction while committing her crimes. When one of Lizzie’s
schemes went wrong, both were arrested and landed in Newgate. After a brief trial, Mallie is sent to the American colonies
with other convicts. Meanwhile, in the province of Ulster in Ireland, Blair Eakins faces an uncertain future. His father is
dead and his community is impoverished with no viable opportunities for him or his brother, Ronald. After hearing about
work in America, Blair reluctantly leaves his sweetheart, Janet Ferry, and embarks with his brother on a long and
dangerous voyage to Pennsylvania. Mallie ends up in Maryland, where she is purchased by a landowner named Bradnox
to work on his estate, Prosperity. In Pennsylvania, the Eakins brothers separate and Blair begins an indenture with a
cordwainer named Jeffrey Craig. By 1736, a twist of fate brings Mallie and Blair together in the same home and they
eventually fall in love. After Blair saves Mallie from abuse, he devises a desperate plan to find Ronald and secure their
freedom, setting into motion a series of events that threaten to separate the lovers forever. Zuno’s novel is a splendid
historical epic with complex characters and richly drawn settings. The nuanced, well-developed narrative spans nearly a
decade as it follows Mallie’s and Blair’s journeys to America and the difficult circumstances of their lives as indentured
servants. The author’s sturdy, workmanlike prose perfectly captures the joys and sorrows of the protagonists as they
struggle to build new lives in America (“Livid, Blair watched the darkness swallow Ronald. He could not imagine ever
talking to him again. At the same time, he knew he probably would never see his mother, uncle, or any other member of
his family. He felt like a castaway”). Although the tale primarily centers on Mallie and Blair, the myriad supporting
characters have equally memorable storylines, including Lucius Groom, a man who recognizes and nurtures Blair’s
musical talents, and Ronald. Setting is a key component of the book and the narrative deftly moves from England and
Ireland to Maryland and Pennsylvania.
An accomplished and stirring tale from a promising new author of historical fiction.
BlueInk Review
(Reviewed: December, 2019) In the colorful and engaging Freedom Dues, Indra Zuno delivers an authentic, well-researched novel reflecting the plight of individuals forced to face the grueling hardships of indentured servitude in the early 18th century. In 1729, beneath gray London skies, coal smoke rises from factories and streets are puddled with rainwater, urine, and manure. Here 10-year-old orphan Mallie Ambrose is arrested in a pickpocketing ruse, imprisoned, and ultimately sentenced for "transport" to the American colonies. Enduring an arduous 8-week journey, she reaches Maryland and is bought into domestic servitude for seven years.
Meanwhile, as Ireland is ravaged by economic blight, teen Blair Eakins and his brother, like thousands of other emigrants, are searching for a better life. In exchange for passage to Philadelphia, they, too, serve terms as indentured workers. Through this artful, two-fold narrative, Zuno details the horrendous conditions these characters face en route to their destinations. Food is lacking, waste buckets overflow, lice are rampant, and intense squalls batter these ocean vessels. Neither does Zuno shy away from the dismal realities forced upon these individuals in servitude: Women terminate pregnancies to avoid longer service; runaways receive lashings and get shackled with iron collars, and more.
Zuno showcases Mallie as a smart, strong-willed character who appreciates the friendship of fellow servants, and is willing to become a "whipping girl" in exchange for the kind mentoring of the house mistress. When Mallie's "master" loses her in a card game, Blair and Mallie's paths eventually cross and a quiet, heartfelt romance ensues. An unexpected chain of events soon puts the couple on the run.
Zuno's enticing saga strikes an even balance between informative narrative and textured dialogue and even includes a sprinkling of humor. Moments of potentially disconcerting Irish/Scottish dialect are easily absorbed by the story and lend the characters a natural charm.
In all, this well-crafted blend of research, characterization, and moving story progression should appeal to those drawn to entertaining, believable, historical fiction.
Meanwhile, as Ireland is ravaged by economic blight, teen Blair Eakins and his brother, like thousands of other emigrants, are searching for a better life. In exchange for passage to Philadelphia, they, too, serve terms as indentured workers. Through this artful, two-fold narrative, Zuno details the horrendous conditions these characters face en route to their destinations. Food is lacking, waste buckets overflow, lice are rampant, and intense squalls batter these ocean vessels. Neither does Zuno shy away from the dismal realities forced upon these individuals in servitude: Women terminate pregnancies to avoid longer service; runaways receive lashings and get shackled with iron collars, and more.
Zuno showcases Mallie as a smart, strong-willed character who appreciates the friendship of fellow servants, and is willing to become a "whipping girl" in exchange for the kind mentoring of the house mistress. When Mallie's "master" loses her in a card game, Blair and Mallie's paths eventually cross and a quiet, heartfelt romance ensues. An unexpected chain of events soon puts the couple on the run.
Zuno's enticing saga strikes an even balance between informative narrative and textured dialogue and even includes a sprinkling of humor. Moments of potentially disconcerting Irish/Scottish dialect are easily absorbed by the story and lend the characters a natural charm.
In all, this well-crafted blend of research, characterization, and moving story progression should appeal to those drawn to entertaining, believable, historical fiction.
