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The Company Daughters: A heart-wrenching colonial love story Paperback – October 27, 2020

by Samantha Rajaram (Author)

4.3 1,066 ratings

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“Blew my mind.” Goodreads reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I loved every moment of it.” Goodreads reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Gripping, heartbreaking.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was hooked from the very first page.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Based on true history, this is a gripping and unputdownable historical novel, perfect for fans of Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Miniaturist and The Indigo Girl.

Wanted: Company Daughters. Virtuous young ladies to become the brides of industrious settlers in a foreign land. The Company will pay the cost of the lady’s dowry and travel. Returns not permitted, orphans preferred.

Amsterdam, 1620. Jana Beil has learned that life rarely provides moments of joy. Having run away from a violent father, her days are spent searching for work in an effort to stay out of the city brothels, where desperate women trade their bodies for a mouthful of bread. But when Jana is hired as a servant for the wealthy and kind Master Reynst and his beautiful daughter Sontje, Jana’s future begins to look brighter.

Then Master Reynst loses his fortune on a bad investment, and everything changes. The house is sold to creditors, leaving Jana back on the street and Sontje without a future.

With no other choice, Jana and Sontje are forced to sign with the East India Company as Company Daughters: sailing to a colonial Dutch outpost to become the brides of male settlers they know nothing about. With fear in their hearts, the girls begin their journey – but what awaits them on the other side of the world is nothing like what they’ve been promised…

What readers are saying about The Company Daughters:

‘Blew my mind… a book I've told so many people about purely because I'm still in disbelief that it exists, that it's so magically written and most of all that it is based on true events… a hard-hitting, soul-crushing book of a woman's struggle to survive… I loved every moment of it. Breathlessly, and in a way that took up my entire brain… immersive, heart-wrenching, and I feel emotional writing this review.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘From the moment I started reading The Company Daughters, I was captivated by this historical tale. Although it does contain a love story, it's not a romance…This was a gripping read.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘This book is so stunningly tender and beautiful, all mixed in with some seriously tragic and heart-wrenching events… Rajaram is an extremely skilled writer, and I love her writing style… The themes of sisterhood and female love were so present in this book and I found it very moving.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘I was enchanted by this book! It’s a delightful read that will have your emotions all over the place.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘I love historical fiction, and this book touched on a topic and time I knew nearly nothing about…There’s love, there’s loss, there’s surviving, there’s thriving… It was a very beautiful book.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘The Company Daughters is a beautifully written love story… a perfect example of the power of human will and the endurance and hope that love can give a person.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘This book has a beauty and grace to it. The author’s writing just flows off the page, and although there are struggles and upsets by the time you close the book over you are filled with a warm glow.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘A powerful and insightful read. I look forward to reading more historical work by Samantha Rajaram!’ Goodreads reviewer

‘Heartbreaking… a moving book… vivid, with amazing characters… This is a great read.’ Goodreads reviewer

Print length

390 pages
Language

English
Publication date

October 27, 2020
Dimensions

5.06 x 0.88 x 7.81 inches
ISBN-10

1800191766
ISBN-13

978-1800191761
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E. J. Noyes
1,231
Paperback
$16.59
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Clare Ashton
3,100
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$14.99
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bookouture (October 27, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 390 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1800191766
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800191761
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.88 x 7.81 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,494,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,795 in Women's Friendship Fiction
- #17,251 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction
- #64,329 in Literary Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.3 1,066 ratings

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About the author

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Samantha Rajaram

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Samantha Rajaram is a former lawyer, current English professor, and the author of the historical fiction novel THE COMPANY DAUGHTERS, a 2021 Golden Crown Literary Society winner for debut fiction, a finalist for the 2021 Bisexual Book Awards, and longlisted for the Historical Writer's Association (HWA) award. Her short fiction and essays have been published in national magazines and literary journals. She lives in the California Bay Area with her three children.

Customer reviews

1,066 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the storyline captivating, inspiring, and bittersweet. They also describe the plot as well-done, engaging, and recovering the stories of women lost to history. Readers praise the writing style as wonderful, insightful, and well-researched. They mention the message as thoughtful, insightful and well done.

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Storyline Plot Writing style Message

23 customers mention "Storyline"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline captivating, heartbreaking, and inspiring. They also appreciate the well-drawn characters and bittersweet ending. Readers also love the narration, solid plotting, connection, and intimacy between Jana and Sontje. However, some mention that the book has some ugly cry moments.

"...I loved her so much. This is also a gorgeous love story between Jana and Sontje that builds slow and earns every step forward, until it's the..." Read more

"...you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting, heartbreaking and sad book in exchange for an honest review." Read more

"...into this book is absolutely fascinating, but even more fascinating is the story line and the character portrayal of these two young, heroic,..." Read more

"...I really wanted to like this book. The story interested me right away, couldn't wait to read...." Read more

21 customers mention "Plot"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the plot engaging, beautiful, and meticulously portraying life. They also say the book is well-done, and a poignant narrative with themes that resonate today. Readers describe the book as an interesting journey across the sea, and mention the vivid imagery and narration style.

"...Pick up THE COMPANY DAUGHTERS for a lush, beautiful story that will stay with you long after. I can't believe this is a debut...." Read more

"...Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting, heartbreaking and sad book in exchange for an honest review." Read more

"...Samantha is an intelligent, very engaging reader, and after hearing her read one passage from her debut historical fiction novel, I was hooked...." Read more

"...of literary-style historical fiction and this ended up being a satisfying and memorable read, and not quite like anything I had ever read before...." Read more

21 customers mention "Writing style"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style wonderful, well researched, and interesting. They also appreciate the solid characterization, plotting, and pace.

"This book is exquisite and riveting. The writing is gorgeous--spare when it needs to be, lush and explosive in other moments, in ways that make your..." Read more

"I really enjoyed this very interesting historical fiction book that begins in Amsterdam in 1620 where Jana Beil is a servant to a wealthy family...." Read more

"...Samantha's writing style is absolutely mesmerizing. I found myself taken away from my world, my routine and living in another time and place...." Read more

"...The story interested me right away, couldn't wait to read. The writing was fine, maybe slightly awkward in a few spots, but nothing that would..." Read more

13 customers mention "Message"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the message insightful, inspiring, and interesting. They also say each phase is very difficult for the characters.

"...grief--of course there is, given the history--but this is a resolutely hopeful story, and I needed that right now...." Read more

"...I think the author did a fantastic job researching and writing this book from a time period so far back...." Read more

"...Samantha is an intelligent, very engaging reader, and after hearing her read one passage from her debut historical fiction novel, I was hooked...." Read more

"...the feelings I am still processing- at different times, this book had me feeling challenged, bursting with excitement, beaming, tearing.... and so..." Read more

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Ashley Winstead

A knock-your-socks-off literary historical debut

Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is exquisite and riveting. The writing is gorgeous--spare when it needs to be, lush and explosive in other moments, in ways that make your heart pound. Some of the scenes are so beautiful I had to re-read and savor them. Despite this, I read the book in a single sitting because I couldn't put it down. The expert pacing kept pulling me forward.

COMPANY DAUGHTERS is a book about resilience and the power of intimacy. It follows MC Jana as she grows and builds a life for herself, move by move, brick by brick. Jana is incredible--strong and tender, loyal and brave. I loved her so much. This is also a gorgeous love story between Jana and Sontje that builds slow and earns every step forward, until it's the beating heart of the book. I wanted to shelter and protect Jana and Sontje. It was striking to see how love for another person could be the thing that shapes a person's life and makes it what it is; how it could be the only tether and lifeline a person needs. The intimacy of Jana and Sontje's experiences set against the grand scale of their global journey really resonated with me.

Historical fiction readers, fans of slow-burn love stories, and readers who love resilient women will adore COMPANY DAUGHTERS. There's loss and grief--of course there is, given the history--but this is a resolutely hopeful story, and I needed that right now. This book also recovers the stories of women who have been more or less lost to history. I can't stop thinking about how the real-life Company Daughters lived their lives in service to men and in the margins of men's histories, and how important this book is for centering them and giving them life.

Pick up THE COMPANY DAUGHTERS for a lush, beautiful story that will stay with you long after. I can't believe this is a debut. Rajaram is an incredible talent to watch.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lee Husemann

Fantastic read!

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this very interesting historical fiction book that begins in Amsterdam in 1620 where Jana Beil is a servant to a wealthy family. Jana falls in love with the young lady of the family, Sontja. When the family loses their fortune, Jana loses her job. Sontja and Jana decide to join the Company Daughters and go to Batavia to marry men there. The nearly year long trip to Batavia is very interesting, heartbreaking and sad. The last part of the book deals with their lives in Batavia and their lives after marriage. I think the author did a fantastic job researching and writing this book from a time period so far back.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting, heartbreaking and sad book in exchange for an honest review.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Joanie K.

This is a must read!

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

I first learned about "The Company Daughters" by Samantha Rajaram from a very engaging Golden Crown Literary Society Author's Spotlight webinar held a few weeks ago. Samantha is an intelligent, very engaging reader, and after hearing her read one passage from her debut historical fiction novel, I was hooked.

"The Company Daughters" is one of my top ten books of all time. It is set in 1620 in Amsterdam and involves the friendship and eventual romance between two women of very different economic stations in life. The amount of research that has gone into this book is absolutely fascinating, but even more fascinating is the story line and the character portrayal of these two young, heroic, inspiring and all too human souls facing a world where women had basically very little freedom at all.

Samantha's writing style is absolutely mesmerizing. I found myself taken away from my world, my routine and living in another time and place. An amazing escape for the reader into a world I think we all never realized existed. I was so immersed in this incredible book that I was very sad it had to end. But I am so glad I read it. It's the kind of book you will never forget. I highly recommend it.

Joanie K. Queens, NY

One person found this helpful

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Cindy P.

Just OK

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

The Company Daughters by Samantha Rajaram

In early 1600s the Dutch East Indies Company had the beginnings of a booming trade industry between their new colony of Batavia and the rest of the world. As the new colony grew, their attempt to model it after their loved homeland of Amsterdam began to falter, due to the lack of women. Their solution - seek young orphaned females to send to Batavia. Their passage and dowry paid in exchange for their marriage to a colonist upon arrival. These girls were called Company Daughters.

This story follows two young women, Jana and Sontje, as they join the first group of six 'Company Daughters' to take this journey. The women have been promised fine young soldiers wanting for wives - not at all what they find waiting for them.

I really wanted to like this book. The story interested me right away, couldn't wait to read. The writing was fine, maybe slightly awkward in a few spots, but nothing that would interfere with enjoying the story. Unfortunately I kept waiting for 'the good part' to start, but it just never did, remained fairly uneventful throughout.

5 people found this helpful

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Eli

Swept away…

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2024

Verified Purchase

I picked this book up by chance at a book signing based on the gorgeous cover and genre (and ocean theme). I did not expect it to captivate me so completely. The writing is incredibly fluid with vivid yet realistic imagery and a heartbreaking love story. I knew of the casket girls in Canada but had never heard about their « Batavian » counterparts. One of my favorites this year.

Helpful

G

Stunning work of historical fiction and social commentary!

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

What a stunning book! Incredibly researched, like traveling hand in hand with Jana and Sontje to faraway lands. I felt transported by the incredible images forming in my mind through Rajaram's descriptions and beautiful use of language. On the Leyden, I could almost feel the swaying of the ship and the queasiness in my belly. What an adventurer. Most powerful, though, was the magnifying glass on the absurdities and cruelties of colonialism, patriarchy and poverty. A statement for today as much as for the 17th century. I love a good novel about powerful women who overcome impossible odds!

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Gregory P. Smith

Worth a Read

Reviewed in Canada on April 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

Generally a very good read, offering a keen insight into life in the times of the Dutch East India Company, more particular life as a "purchased" bride by a company employee. However, there were moments where the detail didn't meet a basic logic test, such as when the ship is sailing into the Cape (a stopover on the way to Batavia), and where the foliage was described as "the land looks dry, no trees, just shrubbery", and then a few pages along (once the ship has landed) the trees are described as the largest ever seen, with gnarled trunks, full of animals. How can both of those claims be correct?
Anyway, worth a read.

Carolyn

A real find

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2023

Verified Purchase

I rarely award 5 stars to a book but in this instance they are well deserved. The poverty and times of seventeenth century Holland brought you into a story that was so well told without being sentimental or sanitised. I was not expecting a lesbian story but the nuances of the relationship were so subtle, never crude but conveying the strong attachment and growing love between the two girls who had very different upbringings. I must admit to having to look where Batavia was. From the early years in Amsterdam, the 10 month harrowing sea journey via the Cape of Africa to their destination, you could feel the constant swell of the ocean, the dreadful food and illness, not everyone made the journey alive. The story continues in Batavia as the girls in turn are married off, but not to men of their choice. A fantastic well researched book and I can't praise it enough.

JS

A tribute to feisty young women in Colonial times

Reviewed in India on August 22, 2023

Verified Purchase

Awesome story. It paints a vivid picture of life in Colonial times. But i wish the affair between the 2 young women did not end so abruptly.

Kunde

Gread read...but where is Batavia?

Reviewed in Germany on January 27, 2021

Verified Purchase

Congratulations to Samantha Rajaram for a very well written historical novel. I really enjoyed the story which is engaging and captivating and I am happy to give it the full 5 stars.

I would only like to mention that there was no explanation of where exactly “Batavia” lies. The Synopsis only states…
“(they)…sign with the East India Company as Company Daughters: sailing to a colonial Dutch outpost…”

As I am reading on a Kindle I highlighted the word “Batavia” and got the following Wikipedia definition:
“Batavia is a city in the county seat of Genesee County, New York….named for the Betuwe region of the Netherlands, and honors early Dutch land developers….”

I therefore read the book thinking the journey is taking the girls to the States and was very puzzled why this would take 10 months and why the voyage would take them via the Cape of Africa. I only found out where the colony of Batavia is after reading the author's note at the end.

May I suggest to add a better description or better still, to include a map.

froattj

Interesting story

Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2022

Verified Purchase

Very well written story, excellent character development. Ended to quickly.

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