Book Review: "The Prostitutes Of Serruya's Lane And Other Hidden Gibraltarian Histories" by Mark Sanchez

Sharada Balasubramanian

4 May 2008, 11:08

Gibraltar, as history knows it, is a small part of England, more referred to as Rock Scorpion by people in those days. There have been many literatures written in the past by travelers, journalists and researchers about the country, but none of them getting into the background of the country and opening up the indescribable truths. Much of its untold history is unfolded by Mark Sanchez in his book The Prostitutes of Serruya’s Lane And Other Hidden Gibraltarian Histories. The conundrum of the history is revealed by the author in his explicit and insightful essays that delve deep into what Gibraltar was in the past. This book is a series of essays which explores and opens up truths about Gibraltar and its history.

The author traces back to the time when he was a child and the story his dad narrated to him. The essay begins describing the red-light area of Gibraltar and the movement of the sailors there, right from the 1800s. This was a dark secret indeed which the author has put forth bravely. The eerie, dark dilapidated lanes, called Serruya’s lanes was an abode for sailors after their voyage. The book gives a detailed description of the number of registered prostitutes and the permits issues by the governor.

The book has described the issue of high rates of venereal diseases, talking about the local officials’ initiative to control prostitution, thus limiting the impact of the disease on the young soldiers. The sexual exploitation of women is bravely addressed by the author here. He questions the unruly methods used by the doctors to examine the prostitutes every week, making them undergo medical examination before they could certify themselves to be fit for prostitution after venereal disease was getting more rampant in the country. Gory though the tale is, it depicts truth in its entirety. Quoting other sources from the research and statistics from the past writers on controlled prostitution put in place by the government, the author has portrayed the helpless condition of the prostitutes in Gibraltar. The author has dauntlessly touched upon the suffering endured by the prostitutes, supporting it stalwartly with statistics, research and writings.

The book touches on marginalization which has been one of the most important features in the Gibraltarian colonial history. Unfolding the history of the country in each of his essays, the author, during the time of his PhD, was stifled as he attempted to understand, ‘where does Gibraltar stand.’ Talking about the constant tussle between the British and Gibraltarians in his essay, the book resurrects the past- the forgotten history of the country, the prejudiced British who never missed an opportunity to defame Gibraltar through media and other forms. Most of the guide books and travel writing were anti-Gibraltarian. To quote, “The natives are for the most part idle, dissolute and phlegmatic,” said Captain Fredrick Sayer in the 1860s.

The disintegration of Gibraltar is discussed in the book where on one side there were Englishmen who wanted to retain Gibraltar and the others who wanted to give it to Spain. In this essay, the author has looked at various writings and has touched upon sensitive issues like jingoisms during the literature period. Even today, the vestiges of this attitude persisting in Britain is portrayed by the author.

Another important essay, which is the core of this book, is about Gibraltar being a depot for smuggling goods. With sobriquets like ‘The Smuggler’s rock’, the country’s contraband trade has been discussed by the author in profundity. Smuggling, like any other form of trade is regulated by demand and supply conditions-it was more a market necessity than a premeditated political intent, expresses the author very strongly. The essay shows a clear insight on the economics of trade in the country and the mechanics behind it.

The tragic tale of ‘Gibraltar fever’ is discussed by the author in his final essay. The dark dungeons and corners of the country where people suffered from this yellow fever, took a toll of lives numbering in the thousands. The outbreak of this serious disease has been discussed in-depth by the author by tracing how it happened, also quoting on some sources from research by scientists.

From the lanes of Serruya, to the anti-Gibralatrian attitude of media, the local people have always borne the brunt of maltreatment, most often at the hands of the British. This history has been an eye opener as the book has explored the unexplored about Gibraltar, going beyond what was said in the past about the country and looking at the history of the British prejudices and unfair treatment of the citizens of Gibraltar.

The author has also touched upon the unfair attitude of the mainstream press towards the country as well as discussing the Gibraltarian smuggling phenomenon. To sum it up, this well-researched book has encompassed a host of things about Gibraltar, revealing truths unknown to a great many people.

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