Roberta Writes – Reblog: New Release! “And the Grave Awaits” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle @bakeandwrite @RobertaEaton17 #writingcommunity

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Thank you to talented writer and poet, DL Finn, for hosting me with a post about climbing boys during the Victorian era, and my short story, An Eye for an Eye, from And the Grave Awaits.

Denise has a lovely blog where she shares poetry, book reviews and other interesting posts. She also has a wonderful selection of books which you can view on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/D.L.-Finn/author/B00ZBGJ08Q

Thank you for hosting me, Denise.

New Release! “And the Grave Awaits” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle

I’m thrilled to have Robbie Cheadle here today to talk about her latest release, “And the Grave Awaits!” It was a great read  Here’s a link to my review on Goodreads. LINK

And the Grave Awaits

by Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Climbing boys and the origin of my short story, An Eye for an Eye.

My photograph of a building with chimneys in the UK

During the 1700s and 1800s, mainly male children often performed an occupation known as a climbing boy or chimney sweep. Many of the climbing boys were orphans, and in Great Britain many came from workhouses, and some were as young as 3 years old. As the child needed to be quite small to climb up the chimneys of the time, most climbing boys outgrew this occupation by the time they were nine or ten years old, although due to poor diet, some worked until they were as old as fourteen years.

The life of a climbing boys was dangerous as they climbed hot flues that could be a mere 7 inches square, although 14 inches by 9 inches was a common standard, and they could get jammed in the flue, suffocate or burn to death. The children developed raw, red skinless patches on their bodies from climbing up and down the stacks. These only went away when the climber developed calluses or the skin was hardened by their master applying an application of strong brine, which was placed on them in front of a hot fire.

Continue reading here: https://dlfinnauthor.com/2024/07/09/new-release-and-the-grave-awaits-by-roberta-eaton-cheadle-bakeandwrite-robertaeaton17-writingcommunity-newrelease-whattoread/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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43 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Reblog: New Release! “And the Grave Awaits” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle @bakeandwrite @RobertaEaton17 #writingcommunity”

  1. Oh, my God, it sounds inhuman! Of course, I was aware of this practise, Robbie, but I’d never given it serious thought. What miserable times they were if you were poor! Not that being poor is fun in any age, but this seems particularly cruel.

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  3. I was aware of the child chimney sweeps and the Blake poem — we studied his poetry in Year 11 English — it’s good you’re tackling topics of an historical nature —

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  6. This was my favorite story in the book, Robbie. A horror story for sure and heartbreaking that it was based on real historical circumstances. People can be monsters, and there’s nothing worse than when children are the victims. The book is great. Congrats.

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  10. Terrible how chimney sweeps and other child laborers were so horribly treated. A situation not totally gone today, in 2024. Robbie, you are to be commended for your highly skilled historical writing that shows humanity’s frequent dark side, and it’s wonderful that Denise hosted you so ably.

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  15. A graphic view of the past I’m pleased children are no longer required to climb chimmneys although they are still exploited around the world…Popping over to Denises xx

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