Book Review

Book review: The Schoolmaster’s Daughter by Jackie French

NB. Contains spoilers

Hannah starts a fresh life when her father takes up a post as schoolmaster on a sugar cane plantation town. Hannah is guaranteed everything she could want: a distinguished position in society, a lovely home, servants to care for her and the expectation of higher education from her own father.

But when Hannah’s father refuses to teach her friend Jamie because he is Islander, and relegates Hannah to teaching the infants because she is female, Hannah’s idyllic world begins to crumble. And when her mother risks everything to begin a secret school, the reality of slavery, oppression, and the fight for equal rights marches in on Hannah’s understanding. She is confronted by rottenness and conflict beneath every calm façade. Her parents’ relationship disintegrates over the issues of education and equal rights. The wealth from which her father is paid is derived from abuse of the marginalised. Even the rich growth of the plantation crops hides the unmarked graves of slaves.

The end is bittersweet. Hannah’s story resolves very naturally, and the reader is assured of her security and eventual success despite her helplessness to effect change. I felt the author had to work harder to pull off a satisfactory ending for Jamie however, even though it is based loosely on true events.

I enjoyed this book for its thoughtfulness. The reader, along with Hannah, is given an insight into the cost of maintaining personal integrity. Hannah’s choices to do what is right result in being ostracised by other girls her own age. Her growing friendship with Jamie is called into question by almost everyone. Even Hannah’s mother – the story’s moral compass – is at times courageous, and at times a flawed, manipulative heroine. French handles some difficult issues with great care (eg. slavery, brutality, sexual abuse, relationship breakdown, injustice, grief, isolation and racism). However, none of the scenes are overly graphic and many of the issues are only implied. Hannah’s own standing in society and her quick thinking save her from anything worse than loneliness and criticism, so this makes a fairly safe story for the younger reader.

The narrative is simply expressed – there are no clever tricks or hard-work moments for the reader. On the surface it makes a satisfying read for people aged 12-15 with a love for history, poetry and thoughtful, courageous characters. The challenge lies in considering the issues French raises. The story has potential to raise some terrific conversations with your kids and students. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter would also make a good companion choice for a unit of study on the fight for equal rights for all Australians. The author’s note at the end is - as with all her historical fiction - well worth reading.

Recommended for: ages 12+ for reading, 14+ for studying.