The Fair Fight

by Anna Freeman

Paperback, 2016

Description

"A debut historical novel set within the world of female pugilists and their patrons in late eighteenth century Bristol"--

Genres

General Fiction

Collection

Fiction

Publication

Riverhead Books (2016), Edition: Reprint, 480 pages

Media reviews

The Bookend Family

For a novel that features boxing it would be appropriate, if kitschy to trot out all of my boxing metaphors. It might be a cliché, but clichés are clichés because they often hold at least a grain of truth: so here I go. The Fair Fight is an absolute knock-out. If this novel was a prize fight it

would be the Thriller in Manila. To make myself absolutely clear, leaving the cheesy pugilistic metaphors aside, The Fair Fight is the best book that I have read in a long time. Like most of the books I review The Fair Fight is an ARC, and I am not allowed to quote from it, and in this instance I am truly sorry. If I could give you just a taste of Ms. Freeman’s prose you would see what an exceptional novel this is. She writes with such passion, wit and power that I wish I could grab you, dear reader, and point at a page and say “read this!” The Fair Fight is the story of Ruth, born in a brothel and fated to a life of drudgery until she discovers her love of bare-knuckled boxing. We also follow the story of Charlotte, born an aristocrat but scarred by smallpox, trapped by the twisted whims of her drunken brother, and later in a loveless marriage with a man, Granville, who cares only for gambling. He manages, or exploits, first Ruth, and later her husband Tom, whom he believes can be the Champion. Eventually Ruth meets Charlotte, and begins to teach her how to box, setting them both on a journey that will change both of their lives. The narration is shared between Ruth, and Charlotte, and George, another sporting gentleman who is Granville’s friend and confidante. All of their voices are different, distinct, and beautifully realized. Although I was practically cheering by the end of this book it is not all flowers and rainbows. Like boxing its beauty is bound up with violence, and blood. Fighting is at the heart of this book, and no one in it fights harder than the two women at the story’s center. They have a lot to fight about, as well; the class system, poverty, and the absolutely crappy way in which women were treated in the early nineteenth century. Their bravery in facing a world in which most of the deck is stacked against them is truly inspiring, and although this book is full of hard knocks, Ms. Freeman has such style and tells her tale with so much heart and caring that almost found my jumping up and down at the end. I came to care for these character so much that I literally dreaded the end, even as a rushed toward it, propelled by the sheer force of Ms. Freeman’s story. To return to my earlier metaphors, Anna is the Champ. Review by: Mark Palm Full reviews available at: http://www.thebookendfamily.weebly.com

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User reviews

LibraryThing member Cariola

'The Fair Fight' is an excellent and highly original historical novel It's set in late 18th-century England, and revolves around the daughter of a madam who becomes a female boxer (she fights only men, however). There's a lot more to the story than that, however. The novel is divided into sections

told by different characters. The first is Ruth, the boxer, who describes her life in "the convent," her jealousy of her beautiful sister, her entry into the ring, and her "marriage." The second narrator is George Bowden, a handsome young man with limited prospects who is in love with more than one person. He lives off Perry Sinclair, a wealthy heir and old school chum; they are friends with Granville Dryer, a gambler who is Ruth's sponsor and her sister's "fancy man." Then there is a third narrator, Charlotte Sinclair, Perry's sad, repressed sister, a former beauty who survived the pox that killed her parents, sister, and another brother, but was left horribly scarred. I love the individual voices of the characters and the way their lives keep crossing. It's a hard one to put down!

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LibraryThing member melaniehope

This was a fantastic historical novel. 'The Fair Fight' is an excellent and highly original work. It's set in 18th-century England. The novel is told from the point of view of three characters. Ruth, the daughter of a madam who becomes a female boxer that fights against men. The second narrator is

George Bowden, a handsome young man with limited prospects who is somewhat weak and lacks the gumption to seize control of his own life. While in school, he meets Perry Sinclair. The two form a loving relationship. Then there is a third narrator, Charlotte Sinclair, Perry's sad, shy sister, who survived the pox that killed her parents, sister, and another brother, but was left horribly scarred.

I absolutely loved the plot and the voices of each character. I did not want to put this book down!

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LibraryThing member riofriotex

Much better than I thought it would be, particularly since I don't care for boxing. The audiobook readers (Fiona Hardingham as Ruth Webber, Justine Eyre as Charlotte Sinclair Dryer, and Steve West as George Bowden) really made the story, and sustained my interest through its length.

LibraryThing member greatbookescapes

This is a gutsy books with the most wonderfully honest language. I love the the way Freeman draws you closer to the characters giving an understanding of the differences in the classes of the eighteenth century in Bristol. The title, The Fair Fight has a myriad of meanings within the book, both in

the boxing ring, and as a question with regard to the complex relationships between the characters.

Who would have thought a book about women boxers would be so fascinating and entertaining to read? The way the characters are brought to life with the use of vocabulary and their own thoughts makes this book stand out. The way Freeman gives speech to her characters so naturally it seems it must be her own way of speaking and brings the eighteenth century alive. This is a book about courage and not giving in, Freeman explains the use of the term for fighters ‘to have bottom’ in her forward as meaning never surrendering. The description of the boxing is superb and exciting to read. Thoroughly researched, I felt I learnt so much of life during the period in a way that was seamless throughout the book.

The lives of Dryer and his wife Charlotte, individually become entangled with Ruth and her family highlighting the injustices that were almost expected but nonetheless provokes feelings of unfairness. Charlotte recounts the way her brother Perry constantly insults and torments her, provoking an equally acidic reply in verbal sparring. When Ruth and Charlotte take a kind of comfort in each other the outcome is exciting and satisfying, it is their secret that leaves you smiling in assent when it is revealed publicly.

There is an exciting pace to this book that made me eager to read how each persons story would transpire and I was thoroughly transfixed with their lives.

The pleasure of this book is how it is written not just the story and I would read this book over again and still get enjoyment in the reading. This is the remarkable thing sets it apart from many novels.

Was there anything I found wanting from The Fair Fight? The part where the young boys are in boarding school seems a little slow paced after the introduction to the brothel and Ruth, but bear with it because it is a necessary part to understand the characters of Perry, George and Granville. I personally liked that there was a subtle possible justification for the coldness of the wealthier young men whose class gave them privileges without responsibility with their stories of boyhood survival and boarding school. This enables an understanding that characters and personalities of men and women then were very different to today and should be seen in context rather than being totally outrageous.

I would recommend this as a most interesting and pleasurable read.

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LibraryThing member vnesting

A powerful and in some ways subversive historical novel about a most unusual topic: female pugilists in late eighteenth century England. Yes, you read that correctly. Women boxers were a popular entertainment among both the working class and the upper crust. From the backyard boxing rings to the

disturbing long-term effects of smallpox, readers will be swept up in Freeman’s compellingly authentic, not-to-be-missed novel.

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LibraryThing member reb922

Three school boys, Granville, Percy and George, become lifelong friends and as adults their exploits bring together one of their sisters and the daughter of brothel owner to form an unlikely friendship. Granville frequents a brothel where he starts a relationship with one of the proprietors

daughters and sends the off to fight for money. When Ruth is hurt fighting her husband takes up fighting and she crosses paths with Charlotte, the wife of Granville and sister of Percy. The relationship that develops between the two women is the best and fastest moving part oft he story. Unfortunately they don't paths till over 200 page into the story. The back story of the men is good enough but slower and not as likable as Ruth and Charlotte.

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LibraryThing member Mishker

Ruth is born into a brothel, called ‘The Convent’ in 18th century Bristol. Her mother is the hard-fisted Madam of the brothel, her sister Dora is the beauty, trained to take her mom’s place and Ruth is the scrapper with a not-so-fortunate face. Ruth’s future seems bleak until Dora’s

regular client; a well off Mr. Dryer, with a love for gambling sees talent in Ruth’s fighting abilities. Mr. Dryer places Ruth in fights the Hatchet Inn where she earns a name for herself until Mr. Dryer places her in a fight at the Fair. Mr. Dryer puts Ruth to the side when the fight goes south and starts training her husband Tom instead; Tom’s prospects seem high, so Mr. Dryer brings them to his fancy house. While at the Dryer’s , an abandoned Ruth finds the friendship of the equally abandoned Mrs. Dryer, Charlotte. Charlotte was scarred with smallpox when she was younger and forced to marry Mr. Dryer, she often hid into the shadows. Charlotte took on the care for Ruth when she was left to starve, and Ruth began to teach Charlotte how to fight.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book, about female boxers. Unfortunately, much of the book strayed from this. The book was written from three different points of view, Ruth, Charlotte and Mr. Dreyer’s childhood friend, George. Beginning with Ruth’s point of view, I was immediately captured by Ruth’s spirit, the atmosphere surrounding the brothel and the beginning of her career in boxing. Then, the point of view switches to George, and I felt duped. George’s story of he and his school mates was interesting, but took away from the female perspective and felt far too long. George’s perspective gave background to Charlotte, Dryer, Ruth and Dora’s histories, but did not do much to move the story along. Charlotte’s story was also interesting, but took a while to get to. I feel that I would have liked the book much better if it was cut down to just Ruth and Charlotte’s perspectives. Also, there did not seem to be any main climax point lending to a weak story arc, I kept waiting for something significant to happen, but it didn’t.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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LibraryThing member PiperUp

**Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from Riverhead Books via Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this book since so many others rated it with 4 & 5 stars. I entered the ring thinking that this book would be a barnburner...intense, exciting, a real nail biter

like a good boxing match.

Unfortunately...it fell short.

I feel as though I've been sucker punched by other reviewers. Or as if I'm the dope on a rope...exhausted from turning pages weighed down with heavy language & unlikeable flat characters.

Weighing in at 469 pages...this book is a heavyweight brawler. It moves slow, lacks mobility & has a predictable punching pattern. I was definitely totally knocked out...unfortunately...it was due to boredom...not the power of the story.

Boredom consistently delivered blows to my intellect that had me down for the count each time I entered the ring & attempted to finish this book. I was only able to survive 250 pages before throwing in the towel.

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LibraryThing member StigE

This book is very uneven, but the some of the good bits are very good.

The not so got bits are the male POVs, and the good ones are the female ones. I am uncertain whether this is a flaw or a feature, but after an extended stretch of one of the male POVs (you know which one), you're ready to throw a

punch or two yourself.

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LibraryThing member bookmuse56

A gritty and compelling storyline exploring the underbelly of late eighteenth-century England. This novel concentrates on the world of female pugilists and through the storyline the readers sees the challenges imposed by class, status and gender for those who either did not meet the perceived

standards of the times or who were unfortunate to fall prey to scrupulous people. But survival makes people do what is necessary to make it through another day.
At first I was not sure if I wanted to read this book as I knew it would be a harsh reality that I would be exposed to. But the author cleverly drew me into the story with the ingenious use of three narrators which set up the historical details and the gusty way the characters meet the curveballs of life. As additional characters are introduced I found myself rooting for my favorites and hoping that others would get their comeuppance. Yes, some of the details are often brutal but yet as the same time are honestly frank. So I learned this was bare-knuckle boxing and women were often pitted against men and women. Though women would win fights against their male opponents they were in my opinion additionally hampered by having to wear the female clothes of the times just being allowed to loosen their tops much to the delight of the male attendees.
Overall this was a mesmerizing and revealing read for me as the plot twists and the characters made the time and place come alive. I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction looking for a fresh storyline. I look forward to reading more by the author.

This book was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes.

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LibraryThing member pierthinker

'The Fair Fight' is set in the world of female prize fighters in early 19th century England, focusing on Ruth, born in a Bristol brothel, who is trained as a fighter by her sister's customer. As her skills improve her confidence grows until she is badly beaten in a fight originally fixed for her to

win (allowing her 'sporting gentlemen' masters to earn big betting profits). Her beau, Tom, becomes her master's focus of attention as he is revealed as potential fighter and trains to eventually challenge for Champion of England. A parallel story reveals the lives of the higher born men of who use Ruth and Tom almost as playthings with no regard for them beyond their ability to fight.

The underlying tale here is about the status of women in this society and how, whatever their social standing, they are constrained by the wishes of the men around them. Ruth helps Charlotte to gain confidence and a self-respect that allows her to take control of her life and become the person she wants to be. Ruth and Tom are able to live in reasonable comfort and with a dignity denied to the higher born characters in the book.

Exciting and full of suspense,I found this a gripping story.

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LibraryThing member msf59

Female bare-knuckle boxing, in Victorian England? That certainly, got my attention and the book delivered, on all accounts. My only issue is, why isn't this novel buzzing the book community, like an eardrum, after a nasty haymaker?

Ruth was born in a brothel. She is homely but stout and

good-hearted. She makes the acquaintance of a wealthy, Bristol merchant, who convinces her to try her hand, in the boxing ring. She takes to fisticuffs, like a dog to a bone.

Ruth is also introduced to the merchant's wife, Charlotte, a bored, unfulfilled, housewife and she also takes interest in Ruth. The story shifts to her perspective and the tale deepens.

This is solid, historical fiction. Smartly written and nicely paced. The author seems to have done her homework, as she captures the tone and rhythms of late 1700s and early 1800s, with an authentic touch.

If this is ringing any of your bells, give it a try and, as a bonus, it worked very well, as an audiobook.

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LibraryThing member brangwinn

I love reading. I learn so many new things. I had no idea there were female boxers in late 18th century England. The daughter of a madam finds she is very capable of defending herself against men, and earns a living through fighting. I loved this story because it is sort of Dickensian in its

depiction of the seamy side of life. I have no idea how she was able to battle through such pain from a broken nose to broken ribs. The story is told by two different characters, Ruth, the boxer, and George, a homosexual who lives with a wealthy friend. Between the two of them, a vision of what England was like at the time of the American Revolution emerges.

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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35

I hadn't anticipated that the 18th-century would feel so alive and present in a novel about female boxers, but this book manages something like magic in creating a story that is both unlikely while also being gritty and real. Ruth is raised in a brothel and starts to box as a child, while Charlotte

is brought up in comfort and later discovering boxing as part of a self-awakening. Both women are victimized by men who seek to use the women for their own gain, and Ruth and Charlotte must discover ways to survive and resist. Overall, an excellent book and one that is very rooted in history.

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