The Fair Fight

By: Anna Freeman

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham, Justine Eyre, Steve West

The Crimson Petal and the White meets Fight Club in this pause-resistant novel set in the world of female pugilists and their patrons in late-18th-century England.

Moving from a filthy brothel to a fine manor house, from the world of street fighters to the world of champions, The Fair Fight is a vivid, propulsive historical novel announcing the arrival of a dynamic new talent.

Born in a brothel, Ruth doesn't expect much for herself beyond abuse. While her sister's beauty affords a certain degree of comfort, Ruth's harsh looks set her on a path of drudgery. That is until she meets pugilist patron Granville Dryer and discovers her true calling - fighting bare knuckles in the prize rings of Bristol.

Manor-born Charlotte has a different cross to bear. Scarred by smallpox, stifled by her social and romantic options, and trapped in twisted power games with her wastrel brother, she is desperate for an escape.

After a disastrous, life-changing fight sidelines Ruth, the two women meet, and it alters the perspectives of both of them. When Charlotte presents Ruth with an extraordinary proposition, Ruth pushes dainty Charlotte to enter the ring herself and learn the power of her own strength.

A gripping, page-turning story about people struggling to transcend the circumstances into which they were born and fighting for their own places in society, The Fair Fightis a raucous, intoxicating tale of courage, reinvention, and fighting one's way to the top.

©2015 Anna Freeman (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Wonderful!

What a fascinating, thrilling, curious tale. I was enthralled and by the time I had gotten 1/3 through, I could barely stand to tear myself away. The audiobook performances were wonderful, and the story was like Sense & Sensibility meets Fight Club, which sounds crazy but it totally worked and was satisfying on so many levels. Just adored this novel, and was 100% invested in the characters. I'll be thinking about them, and this story, for a long while. I'll definitely revisit it again.

Loved This To Pieces

Fantastic book. A sprawling tale with 3 really wonderful narrators. The women especially were fun to listen to because they were great with the different accents and voices.

A story of the British classes.

I loved the female readers who gave the characters life, from the raunchy Ruth to the socialite Charlotte. The dialect was excellent. Both women were scarred physically and emotionally. This story is a window into the culture of the times. This story is about the weak getting the best of the strong.. Sections of this story are hard to put down;;other sections are slow moving. Give me more stories like this.

Engaging story, wonderful performance

I had trouble putting this book down, or pausing it I guess. Eager to find what happened next, enjoying the characters, and delighted by the exceptional narration I had trouble pacing myself. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something fun and engaging to listen to.

Loved it!

I absolutely loved this book. The story was very unique and engrossing. The 3 different narrators were terrific. I don't like to give a summary of the plot as that can be found on the Audible page for the book. I highly recommend this book.