Alison Rattle

In 19th century London, two rather naïve 15 year old girls face very different problems. The narrative alternates between them, chapter by chapter. Ellen is bored and lonely. Her father is wealthy but has little time for his daughter, and her only confidante is her maid, Mary, until an attractive young man comes to work with her father. Queenie's Da drinks, and Mam has turned to prostitution to support the family, while Queenie looks after her brothers and sisters. Her escape is a domestic job in Covent Garden, looking after babies who have been given up for adoption. Both girls will soon be shocked out of their innocence.

From her experience with her own siblings, Queenie knows that the quietness of the Wild Street babies isn't normal, and that there is something wrong. Why is her employer, Mrs Ellis, so angry when she gives babies milk which has not been doctored with the mysterious Godfreys Cordial (a popular "medicine" given to quieten Victorian babies, containing opium), or when Queenie thinks the babies lying on the sofa could do with some sunshine? Why are the babies too quiet and sleepy to eat?

Can these two girls break free of the future apparently mapped out for them?

The Quietness is an engaging historical novel for older teenagers. I'm quite a lot older than the intended audience, but really enjoyed reading it. Alison Rattle has previously co-written a non-fiction book about Amelia Dyer, one of the most notorious convicted baby farmers in Victorian England, and she has put her knowledge and research to great use in this fascinating and disturbing story.

There are some aspects of the novel which don't totally work for me - some unlikely coincidences and at least one complete change in character which I didn't quite believe. I would still recommend it, especially for girls over about 14 and mature readers of young adult fiction - there are some scenes of sexual violence and other very nasty crimes which might be a bit much for a precocious 10 year old.

Reviewed in October 2013 for Amazon Vine… (altro)