The Women of Nell Gwynne's [Hardcover]

Kage Baker (Author), J. K. Potter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2009

Lady Beatrice was the proper British daughter of a proper British soldier, until tragedy struck and sent her home to walk the streets of early-Victorian London. But Lady Beatrice is no ordinary whore, and is soon recruited to join an underground establishment known as Nell Gwynne's. Nell Gwynne's is far more than simply the finest and most exclusive brothel in Whitehall; it is in fact the sister organization to the Gentlemen's Speculative Society, that 19th-century predecessor to a certain Company... and when a member of the Society goes missing on a peculiar assignment, it's up to Lady Beatrice and her sister harlots to investigate.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This steampunk novella, set in 1844 London, follows the exploits of the harlots of the exclusive establishment known as Nell Gwynne's, where they gather intelligence for the shadowy Gentlemen's Speculative Society, a predecessor to the Company featured in several of Baker's novels (most recently 2006's The Machine's Child). Lord Basmond hires the ostensibly blind madam, Mrs. Corvey, and some of her girls to entertain his wealthy foreign guests at an odd party, where it quickly becomes clear that Basmond is selling a mysterious item to the highest bidder. Things heat up when someone goes missing and two people end up dead. The beautifully drawn Victorian era is neatly spiced up with futuristic technology such as mechanical eye implants. Baker's fans will delight in this slight, bawdy and funny confection. Illus. by J.K. Potter not seen by PW. (July)
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Subterranean; First edition (June 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596062509
• ISBN-13: 978-1596062504
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,414,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting side-story, December 20, 2009

By 

C. E. Brooks (GARLAND, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Women of Nell Gwynne's (Hardcover)

The "Women of Nell Gwynne's" is an interesting short novel set in the early-Victorian period of Kage Baker's Company universe, a side-story not really involving any of the series' major characters or plot lines, but nicely filling out some background. Followers of the series will get the most from it, but it stands pretty well as a independent and amusing story. Nell Gwynne is the madame of a very polished and high-class brothel that operates as a front for a Company intelligence operation. To investigate rumours of some anomalously advanced technology, the ladies arrange to be hired as the entertainment for an orgy at a country estate - complications ensue, including a few murders to avoid being framed for, secrets discovered, etc. This particular Subterranean Press first-edition was nicely illustrated by the delightfully named J.K Potter (no doubt related to Harry Rowling :), and (unexpectedly) signed by the author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully printed and entertaining steampunk fantasy, October 6, 2009

By 

M. Carole (West Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Women of Nell Gwynne's (Hardcover)

In Kage Baker's alternate Victorian reality, the women are just as devious, daring, and clever as the men, and this is their story. You'll tear through this novella in no time at all, rooting for the Women of Nell Gwynne (particularly Lady Beatrice, our wronged heroine) in their machinations for the good of the Crown.

The one thing other reviewers haven't spent enough time on is the absolute beauty of these Subterranean Press Deluxe editions. This particular publisher regularly issues short run novellas, as well as reprints of full size novels, in a higher end format. They pull out all the stops, thus the generally higher prices. For example, the artwork on the cover and in several interior illustrations is gorgeous, and so detailed you'll spend time trying to decide if they somehow involve photography. The end papers are quality linen, and in my case, I received a signed issue. (I don't believe that's guaranteed, though, as Subterranean issues a specific number of signed copies and then that's it.)

In summary, with stellar writing, illustrations that could be mounted on the wall, and print quality you don't often see anymore, this book is a keeper. It made me very happy in a kid with a new toy way, as well as a dedicated fan of Subterranean Press. So, if you are in the mood to treat yourself to a collectible book you'll keep forever, the extra bucks are highly worth it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly entertaining steampunk novel, August 26, 2009

By 

Sophia (the Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Women of Nell Gwynne's (Hardcover)

In "The Women of Nell Gwynne's," author Kage Baker tells the story of Lady Beatrice, the daughter of a British Army officer, who, through tragic and difficult circumstances, became a London streetwalker. She is recruited to join an exclusive brothel (the eponymous Nell Gwynne's), which is the sister organization of the Gentlemen's Speculative Society and specializes in gathering secrets from powerful men. Lady Beatrice and her fellow courtesans are hired to attend a party at Lord Bascomb's estate. When the party takes an odd turn, it's up to the women to investigate and resolve the situation.

This novel is great fun. The characters are quirky and interesting. The story is tightly plotted and suspenseful. There is enough similarity to the Company novels to be welcoming, without feeling like a retread. The illustrations are brilliant and engaging - I found them just a bit disturbing as well.

The one caveat: this independently-published book is really quite expensive for the length of the story, so those who would feel cheated with such a slight volume might prefer to get it from the library. Overall, a really terrific, fun, escapist read.