Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

#LiteraryCrew discussion time! I have 5 questions posted as spoilers. These can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or searching the group hashtag.

Please feel free to visit the questions whenever you like. This time, there are several links for more information.

December‘s book is Kaia Alderson‘s Sisters in Arms. The official post will go up tomorrow!

LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks

julieclair Still reading. I‘m enjoying it, but finding it slow going. 4w

Librarybelle I agree, @julieclair . I‘m still reading it too, and it‘s not a fast read. 4w

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

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5. I would be remiss not to mention the relations between British men and Indian women. As detailed by de Courcy, while the initial British occupation had looser laws and regulations, by the mid-nineteenth century, the British strictly forbade couplings.

However, we all know what can happen...

The lasting legacy of Anglo-Indian descendants is complicated. Article from the Royal Historical Society linked below. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle https://blog.royalhistsoc.org/2022/04/04/on-passing-shifting-histories-of-the-an... 1mo

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

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4. de Courcy details the climate, vegetation, and bugs (shudders!) that faced the British women upon arrival. Moldy shoes within 24 hours! I cannot imagine (I am not a fan of the heat and humidity).

Victorian social mores also restricted women from adopting cooler clothing. The part about flannel was shocking.

de Courcy also mentions coping mechanisms used. Any stand outs for you? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

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3. de Courcy uses diaries and letters from women who made the journey to India as well as military and government men stationed in India. Did any story stand out to you? Anything surprise you? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

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2. One of the criticisms regarding the scope of this book is de Courcy's focus only on husband-seeking aristocratic women. But, women traveled to India for other opportunities. Link to an article (hopefully not a paywall) in which an Indian news agency interviews another British author about her research into British women in India.

Focusing on the main point of this book, were you familiar with the “Fishing Fleet?“ #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-think-british-women-came-to-india-t... 1mo

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

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1. de Courcy's nonfiction account follows aristocratic women on their trek to British occupied India in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

First, let's look at the history of this time. How familiar are you with what is termed the British Raj?

Two sources to read: One looks at the British impact on India from an Asian studies standpoint, & the other is a brief article from the BBC. Links in comments. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/the-british-impact-on-ind...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/independence1947_01.shtml 1mo

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

Check in time for #LiteraryCrew ! Any thoughts to share on this month‘s book? Discussion on the 30th!

And, don‘t forget, if you are interested in next year‘s titles, voting ends tomorrow. I will view the votes and get the schedule put together hopefully before the US Thanksgiving holiday!

LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks

Sargar114 Didn‘t get to this one this month. Happy reading everyone! 1mo

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LitsyEvents

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

Repost for @Librarybelle
#LiteraryCrew: our next #buddyread title is this nonfiction book by de Courcy - perfect for#NFNovember! Discussion will take place on November 30th.
All are welcome to join! This is a low key buddy read. @Librarybelle posts periodic checkins during the month, along with the discussion questions on the last of the month. Please let her know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.
2025 voting starting soon.

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 2mo

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

#LiteraryCrew : Our next #buddyread title is this nonfiction book by de Courcy—perfect for #NFNovember ! Discussion will take place on November 30th.

All are welcome to join! This is a low key buddy read. I post periodic checkins during the month, along with the discussion questions on the last of the month. Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.

Thanks for the 2025 suggestions! I‘ll get voting ready very soon!

LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks, BookWrym

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 2mo

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LitsyEvents

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

Repost for @Librarybelle

November‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is a first: a nonfiction! This is an account of the women who left Britain in search of husbands and adventure in India in the late 19th century.

Read at your own pace. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Discussion questions will be posted November 30th. Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!

AnishaInkspill I have too many other reads to be able to join you, but tis looks really interesting, thanks for the pointer 🙂 2mo

Librarybelle Thanks for the repost! 2mo

Librarybelle @AnishaInkspill I hope you enjoy when you are able to read it! 2mo

kspenmoll Just got the book! 2mo

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Librarybelle

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

November‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is a first: a nonfiction! This is an account of the women who left Britain in search of husbands and adventure in India in the late 19th century.

Read at your own pace. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Discussion questions will be posted November 30th. Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!

And don‘t forget to submit title suggestions for next year!

LaraReads, mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, tpixie, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, Sace, Bluebird, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Sargar114, sblbooks, Karisa, Singout, KristiAhlers, PageShifter, julieclair, AllDebooks, BookWrym

Librarybelle I also got a copy today for 2.99 as a Kindle sale…FYI! 2mo

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 2mo

Karisa Scooped it up! Never heard of this topic and always trying to get myself to read some nonfiction 😊. Thanks! 2mo

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Librarybelle Yay, @Karisa ! 2mo

CatLass007 I‘m skipping this one but please continue to tag me because I‘ll be picking back up in December. 2mo

Librarybelle Sounds good, @CatLass007 ! 2mo

PurpleyPumpkin Ha, I didn‘t realize it was nonfiction! I‘ve got my copy and I‘m looking forward to reading it in November. 👍🏽 2mo

Librarybelle @PurpleyPumpkin Yay!! 2mo

51 likes8 comments

squirrelbrain

The Fishing Fleet: Husband-Hunting in the Raj | Anne de Courcy

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A fascinating look at the lives of girls and young women (some still in their teens) who travelled to #india as ‘marriage material‘ for the thousands of single British men serving the Raj.

The book started slowly, with too many snippets about too many girls but became far more interesting after the first few chapters.

I think you‘ll like it @MsMelissa - I‘d certainly give it a go.

#readingasia2021
#booked2021 #containsphotos