60 pages 2 hours read

Christina Baker Kline

The Exiles

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Exiles, a 2020 New York Times bestseller by Christina Baker Kline, alternates the viewpoints of three women during the mid-19th century, covering the injustices of colonization and the redemptive power of love. Set against the backdrop of British convict transports to Australia, the novel explores social hierarchies and British colonialism's harsh effects. Topics include forced adoption, wrongful imprisonment, and violence against women.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline is praised for its vivid historical detail and compelling storytelling, immersing readers in the plight of convict women sent to Australia. Criticisms include predictable plot elements and occasionally one-dimensional characters. However, its emotional depth and strong sense of place resonate well with many readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Exiles?

Readers who enjoyed The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline will appreciate The Exiles. Fans of historical fiction focusing on female resilience, intricate character development, and rich settings will find this novel captivating. Ideal for those who enjoy stories of survival and hope.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Topics

Gender / Feminism

Themes

Relationships: Friendship

Identity: Gender

Identity: Femininity