CHILDHOOD AND DEATH IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND by Sarah Seaton was published on August 8th 2017 by Pen and Sword History.
In CHILDHOOD AND DEATH IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND, Sarah Seaton recounts the short lives and ultimate deaths of numerous children from poor and rich families. Surviving past childhood was a feat in itself in the Victorian era—many children died from what are today preventable diseases. Others died in accidents either around the home or at work. And still others were murdered. Seaton focuses on recorded instances and newspaper articles concerning childhood deaths. She also shares information of inquests and court proceedings of deaths that were not natural.
Seaton divides the book into five chapters. The first chapter focuses on children who died while at work. During the Victorian era, children as young as four took jobs in coal mines, textile factories, and as chimney sweeps. May children died on the job in tragic accidents while others were murdered by their employers. The second chapter focuses on accidents such as death by accidental drowning, fire, or being run over by a runaway wagon. The third chapter focuses on children who dies from poor health and others who were murdered through malnutrition or drug overdoses. The fourth chapter focuses on the murders of children and the fifth focuses on the deaths of newborn children—many of whom were unwanted.
CHILDHOOD AND DEATH IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND is a fascinating but also depressing read. It is clear that there was not much value placed on lives back in the Victorian era—especially on the lives of poor or unwanted children. There are several cases mentioned through the novel of people getting away with infanticide or the murder of a child. There are those who were punished for their crimes, but the punishment hardly seems enough for the crime. While I would recommend CHILDHOOD AND DEATH IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND to anyone interested in the Victorian era and the lives of children, I would not recommend the book to a casual reader.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.