Pelican Girls: A Novel by Julia Malye

"Pelican Girls" transports readers to 1720 Paris, where La Salpêtrière hospital faces overcrowding. In a drastic solution, nearly a hundred young women, including orphans and prisoners, are selected for a voyage to marry settlers in Louisiana.

Among them are Charlotte, Pétronille, and Geneviève, unlikely friends with varied backgrounds. Their journey aboard La Baleine is fraught with uncertainty, as they face pirates, slavedrivers, and sickness. Yet, amidst adversity, they find solace in their friendship and navigate the private traumas of heartbreak and loss.

As they brave the challenges of pioneer life, the women grapple with the harsh realities of survival, including unexpected pleasure and the compromises forced upon them. Their bond becomes a source of strength, sustaining them through years of hardship.

"Pelican Girls" is a sweeping epic reminiscent of Philipp Meyer's "The Son" and Min Jin Lee's "Pachinko." It marries high-seas adventure with pioneer grit, offering a gripping drama that delves into themes of female friendship, desire, and resilience. The novel captures the never-before-told journey of the Baleine Brides, shedding light on a little-known aspect of history.

With gorgeously written prose and characters of startling depth, "Pelican Girls" is a thought-provoking exploration of the compromises women are forced to make in order to survive. It offers a poignant reflection on the power of friendship and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.