The Harlot’s Progress – Yorkshire Molly
by Peter Motley
description:
“Innocent virgin Molly Huckerby arrives in London from York hoping to marry her wealthy and respected cousin. But her innocence is stolen as she is lured into The Bell by the notorious bawd Mother Wickham. She is destined for a life as a kept whore, but in a breathtaking twist she finds an unlikely saviour… Underlying this wicked tale is the story of a spirited woman’s struggle against overwhelming misfortune and the brutality of 18th Century London.”
This is the first in a trilogy and a fictional realization of Hogarth’s series of etchings called “A Harlot’s Progress”.
After several years meticulous and heart felt labour the late Peter Motley, playwright and author finished writing the trilogy, the harlots progress and it was Peters dying wish that these books be published, but sadly he will not see his book in print, but his daughter Jocelyn Pulley is proud to be fulfilling his wish for him.
Meticulously based on William Hogarth’s paintings “The Harlot’s Progress – Yorkshire Molly” is a compelling journey of one woman’s misadventures in 1700s London. It is the first novel to bring these fascinating prints to life. Heroine Molly Huckerby arrives in London from Yorkshire into the exciting, vibrant and forbidding streets of the capital. A notorious bawd Mother Wickham, who cunningly seduces the heroine into a life of prostitution in a Cheapside brothel, soon approaches her. Mottley paints London with a colourful stroke, rich with historical accuracy that is the result of years of meticulous research.
(the above text is directly from the publisher)
About the Author
Peter Henry Mottley (1935-2006) was born in Edmonton, London. He graduated from University of Sheffield in with a BA(Hons) Philosophy & English. Peter became a professional actor, theatre director, scriptwriter and novelist.
Several of his plays have been produced professionally, including After Agincourt, The Last Will & Testament of Popsy Petal, Before Nell and A Matter of Etiquette. After Agincourt was also produced on Radio 3, narrated by Bob Hoskins. Other plays on the amateur circuit included Liz and Dead Trouble. He has had several short stories and one novel, The Sex Bar, published.
Peter was a prominent figure in the Oxford theatre world and active member of the Oxford Theatre Guild, where he wrote and directed many plays. His memory is celebrated with a named seat in the stalls at The Oxford Playhouse.
Giveaway info: 1 copy. Open to everyone. Ends November 16, 2009.
Hello, my name is Arleigh... welcome to my book review site! Here you will find author guest posts, book news, reviews and various articles on the genre. My favorite author is Jean Plaidy, of whom I have built a 
Tea
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 9:07 am:
Arleigh,
I would love to try and win this one “The Harlot’s Progress.” Your blog looks so bright and happily pink. Have a fun day!
Carla Ribeiro
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 10:18 am:
Hi Arleigh.
Please count me in!
Your giveaways are always awesome, I can’t resist it.
Aarti
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 10:43 am:
Ooh, please enter me
mariag
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 11:01 am:
Please count me in!
blodeuedd
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 11:03 am:
Do enter me
Poor gal, I do wonder how she gets out
Rachel W.
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 12:26 pm:
Thanks for the giveaway! Please enter me!
Linda B
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 4:57 pm:
I’ve never heard of William Hogarth, but I’ve recently developed an interest in novels with an artistic connection. Sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.
Marjorie
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 6:26 pm:
The review sounds very good, I would really like
to win this book.
Cheryl
on Nov 2nd, 2009
@ 10:56 pm:
My favorite period and this book sounds wonderful! Please enter me in the giveaway.
Sylvia
on Nov 3rd, 2009
@ 2:51 am:
Hi Arleigh,
I would love to be entered to the drawing to win this book. Thank you.
Mystica
on Nov 3rd, 2009
@ 5:09 am:
Please enter me for this book. Thanks.
Llehn
on Nov 3rd, 2009
@ 9:41 am:
I love the premise! I would love to be entered for the giveaway please! Thank you.
Jen
on Nov 3rd, 2009
@ 11:28 am:
I’d love to be entered for the giveaway, please. Thank you!
lissa
on Nov 3rd, 2009
@ 1:28 pm:
sounds like a Dickens’ novel and definitely something I would consider reading so count me in the contest, thank you
Leslie
on Nov 4th, 2009
@ 8:04 am:
Arleigh, please enter me in the contest! This sounds like one of the most compelling books I’ve heard about in years. I know all about Hogarth and the cycle of paintings that inspired Mottley’s novel. The book trailer is terrific; having his daughter reading his words aloud gives the potential reader such a feel for the “voice” of the novel — the tone, and the craftsmanship. He really nailed the cadences and vocabulary of the characters of the 18th c.
Mozi Esmes Mommy
on Nov 4th, 2009
@ 10:21 pm:
Would love to read this. janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Caty
on Nov 5th, 2009
@ 6:32 pm:
And another one!
Great!
catarina DOT magoito AT gmail DOT com
Maria D
on Nov 5th, 2009
@ 6:33 pm:
Well, great one!
Ruby
on Nov 6th, 2009
@ 11:29 pm:
Please enter me
rubs.escalona [at] gmail.com
karen k
on Nov 7th, 2009
@ 6:33 pm:
Please include me…another fabulous giveaway
Beth
on Nov 7th, 2009
@ 6:41 pm:
This looks great! Please enter me!
BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
Sue
on Nov 10th, 2009
@ 12:58 am:
Looks so good. Thanks for the giveaway!
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Heather S
on Nov 11th, 2009
@ 11:22 am:
Very nice book, I would love to win + read it! xo
Strangelove
on Nov 11th, 2009
@ 4:55 pm:
Oh, I had already read about this one!
It should be a great read!
carlos_durao AT hotmail DOT com
Edu Chico
on Nov 12th, 2009
@ 6:15 am:
Oh, I just love your giveaways, but everytime I don’t win I go and spend more money because I just get so excited about these books!
educhico AT gmail DOT com
Cavalier
on Nov 12th, 2009
@ 6:17 am:
The Book Trailer is one of the best I have seen! Bravo!
Do count me in, please.
o_rei_de_havana[@]hotmail[.]com
Maria D
on Nov 12th, 2009
@ 6:22 am:
I just realized I did not leave my email:
dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
@
gmail.com
Jafantunes
on Nov 12th, 2009
@ 6:28 am:
Hey there!
Count me in for this one as well, ok?
Susy
on Nov 13th, 2009
@ 10:52 am:
Me please!
39.5susy AT gmail DOT com
Mil
on Nov 13th, 2009
@ 11:22 am:
goncalo(dot)mil(at)gmail(dot)com
Good book it seems!
I hope to get to read it from this giveaway.
Thank you!
Tanita
on Nov 13th, 2009
@ 12:07 pm:
Hurray for you!
tanitalves AT sapo DOT pt
J Dias
on Nov 13th, 2009
@ 12:50 pm:
Everytime you have a new giveaway I add a book to my wishlist!
joanapatriciadias
@
gmail.com
Isis Path
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 10:47 am:
Oh, such a good offer!
isispath[@]gmail[.]com
Mauagd
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 10:50 am:
Oh, I definetly want in!
mauagd[@gmail.com ]
Flip!
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 11:30 am:
I am hoping this to be a great and memorable novel!
One of those that Time will proove to be essential!
luisfilipebarros88 AT gmail DOT com
Rosa Maria
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 11:53 am:
Hello,
I found this giveaway and I would really like to win this book, so here I am signing up.
I promise to check the rest of the blog, though, for Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres.
Thanks and see you soon.
rosamariabarrosmaria(at)gmail(dot)com
Augustus
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 12:52 pm:
Definetly want a chance to win this.
Thank you for giving it.
augustod56 AT gmail DOT com
Rocha 85
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 4:41 pm:
So sign me up for this, please.
joaomiguelrocha85[@]gmail[.]com
Jardim
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 4:56 pm:
Hey, hey, hey!
Nice book!
migueljardim85(at)gmail(at)com
Aik
on Nov 14th, 2009
@ 10:29 pm:
I’d love to enter, please!
Mar Bar
on Nov 15th, 2009
@ 8:52 am:
Oh, interesting booktrailer.
I am not a fan of those yet, but sometimes I get surprised!
mariabarros1987 AT gmail DOT com
Esme
on Nov 15th, 2009
@ 11:08 pm:
I would love to read this-what a pretty blog.
thank you
Milka
on Nov 16th, 2009
@ 12:09 pm:
Please count me in!
What a great giveaway.
Andrea Evans
on Nov 23rd, 2009
@ 5:02 pm:
This novel is nothing short of a sumptuous medley of everything you’d expect from a period thriller; innocence stolen, greed, romantic love, folly, debauchery, ruthless betrayal etc. But its one with a much more integrity. The story is loosely based around William Hogarth’s series of etchings called A Harlot’s Progress – the life of an 18th Century prostitute. The attention to period detail is so strikingly precise and so well written that it really does breathe life into Hogarth’s prints. I loved the way Mottley pepper’s the story with such accurate detail of criminal trials at The Old Bailey, the stench of the Thames, the London churches, early bankers and barristers, Smithfield, Cheapside and Spitalfields, even The Beggar’s Opera.
The story begins in a world of horse drawn carriages, polite society and poetic landscapes but just as you settle into Jane Austin territory, the story quickly unravels a chain of events that change Yorkshire Molly’s life forever. From the moment she steps off the Yorkshire coach, she is seduced into a life of prostitution at The Bell, a Wood Lane brothel in the City of London run by the slithering notorious bawd, Mother Wickham. The pace gallops along, twisting and turning unexpectedly and all the time drawing you into the seedy underbelly of London life, until finally the tale ends with a “breathtaking twist” that leaves the you rewarded but wanting more. Luckily it is apparently the first in a trilogy, I can’t wait for Annie’s Quest!