The Fair Fight

ANNA Freeman’s debut novel portrays both the under- and upper- classes of 18th century Bristol, told from the perspectives of three very different individuals.

We follow Ruth, a girl born to a brothel, as she is ’found’ and trained for the spectator sport of female boxing. Then, Charlotte, a girl scarred by pox and ruled by her narcissistic brother.

He, in turn, has a close and co-dependant relationship with George, a gambling man who is starting to question his loyalty and realise he only ever wants what he can’t have. On paper, this book has all the essential requirements: brilliant topic, engaging characters and a well-painted scene, but through the multiple narrations I managed to get lost along the way. The first chapter had me hooked; such a brilliant underworld was portrayed through a strong and feisty character. Yet the upper-class worlds of both Charlotte and George seemed to be lacking substance and I struggled through, long after my interest was lost.