I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction. The voice read really well, the story had plenty of tension and emotion, yet never felt over the top. The characters were well developed, especially Jenny. Her journey and emotions were conveyed really well, and as a reader I cared about what happened to her. It’s also incredible that the book is based on the true story of Mary Bryant, and it seems to be really well researched.
It was a quick read, steeped in the time period and places (Cornwall, Australia and London) but at no point did I feel like the details stuck out or acted like a history lesson. It felt completely natural for the narration. I think people who don’t usually read this genre might enjoy ‘Fled’.
I feel like I’ve not read enough historical fiction with a female protagonist, and this one was great to add to the numbers. Jenny’s story really is amazing. She was one of the first to be deported to the Australian criminal colonies and went on to escape, despite the odds stacked against her and the other escapees. She was a highway robber, and the beginning of the book explores how she ended up on that path. Though it doesn’t justify her actions, she had to make difficult choices and it is easy to sympathise with her. The fact that she becomes a mother adds another dimension to her complicated character. She is a true flawed heroine.
It was a quick read, steeped in the time period and places (Cornwall, Australia and London) but at no point did I feel like the details stuck out or acted like a history lesson. It felt completely natural for the narration. I think people who don’t usually read this genre might enjoy ‘Fled’.
I feel like I’ve not read enough historical fiction with a female protagonist, and this one was great to add to the numbers. Jenny’s story really is amazing. She was one of the first to be deported to the Australian criminal colonies and went on to escape, despite the odds stacked against her and the other escapees. She was a highway robber, and the beginning of the book explores how she ended up on that path. Though it doesn’t justify her actions, she had to make difficult choices and it is easy to sympathise with her. The fact that she becomes a mother adds another dimension to her complicated character. She is a true flawed heroine.