x dismiss this message
Did you know you can edit this page?
-
Sign Into Shelfari
-
Choose something to edit
-
Save your contributions
see page history
Description edit
Born to rough cloth in working-class London in 1748, Mary Saunders hungers for linen and lace. Her lust for a shiny red ribbon leads her to a life of prostitution at a young age, where she encounters a freedom unknown to virtuous young women. But a dangerous misstep sends her fleeing to... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Mary Saunders: Main character and young girl who is kicked out of her house at the age of 15 and forced to survive on her own.
- Thomas Jones: The master of the house. Husband of Jane. They take Mary in when she comes from London.
- Mrs. Ash: Nance Ash; employed by the Jones'. Was their wet-nurse and then governess to their daughter Hetta.
- Doll Higgins: Prostitute who takes Mary under her wing.
- Abi: Black woman who lives with the Jones' and works for them. She is not a slave but she is not paid either.
- Susan Digot: Mother of Mary Saunders
- Mrs. Morgan: Client to Mrs. Jones
- Hetta: The Jones' only living child-a young girl.
- Nan Pullen: Add a description of this character.
- Mrs. Farrel
- Dodds
- William Digot: Step Father to Mary Saunders
- John Niblett: Coachman; Drives Mary to Monmouth
- Cadwaladyr: Small town inn keeper who also is a minister and a pimp.
- Jane Jones: Su Rhys' childhood friend. Mary tricks Jane into believing that Su is dead so that Jane will take her in.
- Su Rhys: Mary's mother; Also known at Susan Digot after her second marraige
- Matron Butler: In charge of the Magdalen Hospital; a place of reformation for repentant prostitutes. Mary decided to join, faking her repentance, in order to get better after she gets sick from being in the cold.
- Ma Slattery: Helps abort Mary' child
- Gwyn: Daffy's cousin. They are supposed to be married but Gwyn decides to marry another.
- Grandison: The Jones' son who died when he was young.
- Daffy: Young man who works for and lives with the Jones'. He is always reading and is the son of Cadwaladyr. He is in love with his cousin Gwyn but also falls for Mary.
- Rhona Davies: Spinster who opens a dress shop in Monmouth; to marry Mr. Jones after Mrs. Jones is killed
- Sukie: Alias for Mary Saunder's. This name is appointed to Mary in Monmouth when she decided to re-start prostituting.
- Cob Saunders: Mary's father; died.
- Caesar: Large black man who lives in London and can be hired out as muscle to find people who owe money, etc.
First Sentence edit
THE RIBBON had been bright scarlet when Mary Saunders first laid eyes on it, back in London, 1760: she was thirteen years old.
Table of Contents edit
Prologue
Part One:
Ribbon Red
Magdalen
Liberty
Part Two:
The Whole Duty of Woman
Thaw
Bloom Fall
Punishment
As the Crow Flies
Authors & Contributors edit
- Emma Donoghue (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Country: United States of America
Publication Date: June 15, 2001
ISBN: 9780151006724
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Country: United States of America
Publication Date: June 15, 2001
ISBN: 9780151006724
Page Count: 352
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PR6054.O547 S58 2001
- Dewey: 823.914
Subjects edit
Popular Tags
See all 50 tags
We’re hiding the errata, movie connections, books that influenced this book, books influenced by this book, books that cite this book and books cited by this book sections. If you would like to add content to them, you must first make them visible.
