The Convict Laundress
The Convict Laundress is a historical novel set in the early 19th century in the Caribbean island of Martinique. It tells the story of a young woman named Marie-Thérèse, who is sentenced to hard labor in a prison laundry after being falsely accused of a crime. Marie-Thérèse is determined to survive her sentence and prove her innocence. She befriends the other women in the prison, and together they form a makeshift family. As Marie-Thérèse struggles to survive the harsh conditions of the prison, she also discovers a newfound strength and courage within herself. The novel follows Marie-Thérèse’s journey as she navigates the harsh realities of prison life, while also learning to trust and rely on her newfound friends. Along the way, she discovers a newfound sense of purpose and hope, and ultimately finds a way to prove her innocence and reclaim her freedom.
By Mary Theresa Vidal · First published 1873 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Romance · 5,501 words
First lines
It was a bright, clear day--how bright, how blue, and how clear, none but those who have been out of the British isles can understand. It was Christmas day; but instead of frost and snow, and cold, and leafless trees, and blazing fires, there was intense heat, and the trees looked, as they always do in Australia, a dingy blueish tint, but still full of leaf and blossom: and here and there, where marks of cultivation peeped through the interminable forest or bush, there were strips of the brightest green maize, refreshing indeed to the eye, and contrasting pleasantly with the brown grass, and the tall white trunks of the gums.
What this Textopian page supports
The Convict Laundress is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Theresa Vidal, dated 1873 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Theresa Vidal
- Date: 1873 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Romance, Mystery
- Length: 5,501 words
- Structure: 1 section, 53 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Convict Laundress by Mary Theresa Vidal
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The Convict Laundress is set in the 19th century and follows the story of a convict laundress, making it a historical fiction novel.
- Women's Fiction — The Convict Laundress follows the story of a female protagonist, making it a women's fiction novel.
- Romance — The Convict Laundress follows the story of a female protagonist and her romantic relationships, making it a romance novel.
- Mystery — The Convict Laundress follows the story of a female protagonist as she unravels a mystery, making it a mystery novel.
Tags
historical fiction · 19th century · Australia · convict life · female protagonist · redemption · social issues · class struggle · survival · women's rights · colonial history · labor