Women in 1906 England were campaigning for entry to the professions and, most importantly, votes for women.

The three protagonists whose lives are followed in Joosten’s novel are: Beatrice, hoping to become an archaeologist; Catherine, focused on a science career, despite obstacles placed in her way by the male establishment; and Ida, a wardress at Holloway Prison.

Beatrice at first has little sympathy for the women’s suffrage movement, but gradually becomes a devotee.

Catherine, much more pragmatic, agrees with the idea of votes for women, but disagrees with the methods undertaken by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), established by Emmeline Pankhurst.

And Ida, as a prison wardress, has to deal with the suffragette prisoners in Holloway, particularly when they conduct hunger strikes.

Joosten has researched her material well for Like Fire-hearted Suns, detailing the actions taken by the WSPU to draw attention to its campaign. ‘Deeds not words’ is the rallying cry as members organise demonstrations, smash shop windows, destroy hothouse plants at Kew Gardens, commit acts of vandalism and arson. Beatrice is dedicated to the cause, so is arrested several times and undergoes the hideous practice of force-feeding in Holloway, with Ida in the administering team.

It was author George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans’ pen name) who in 1868 coined the phrase for the book’s title.

Joosten has her characters not only fighting to vote, but later campaigning against war and nuclear weapons, still striving for a better life.

Reviewed by Jennifer Somerville

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melanie Joosten is a writer and social worker. Her novels have seen her named a SMH Best Young Novelist and winner of the Kathleen Mitchell Award, for the best Australian novelist under 30.

Berlin Syndrome was made into a feature film directed by Cate Shortland, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival.

The essay collection ‘A Long Time Coming’, drew on Melanie’s experience as a social worker and researcher in the fields of ageing, elder abuse and social policy. It was awarded the prestigious Australasian Journal of Ageing Book of the Year award, and was shortlisted for the Nib Waverley Literary Award, for which it won the People’s Choice prize.

Visit Melanie Joosten’s website