Why a Booktrail?
1870s: What really does go on behind the women’s prison at Milbank?
Affinity
What you need to know before your trail
Following the death of her father, Margaret Prior has decided to pursue some ‘good work’ with the lady criminals of one of London’s most notorious gaols. Surrounded by prisoners, murderers and common thieves, Margaret feels herself drawn to one of the prisons more unlikely inmates – the imprisoned spiritualist – Selina Dawes. Sympathetic to the plight of this innocent-seeming girl, Margaret sees herself dispensing guidance and perhaps friendship on her visits, little expecting to find herself dabbling in a twilight world of seances, shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions.
Locations
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Millbank Prison, London
It’s set in Millbank Prison, which was a real place. The small rock mound on the map above marks the spot where the prison once stood.
The prison was opened in 1816 and closed in 1890. It was beset by problems of subsidence from the outset as it was built on marshy land. So, several architects were called in over the years to try and fix it. One feature that did last was the hexagonal shape and the courtyard
Sarah Waters takes you into the prison, and ensures it will haunt and stay with you in more ways than one….
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Affinity
Destination/location: London Author/guide: Sarah Waters Departure Time: 1870
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