This is a great book which both entertains and educates the reader. It is based on the true story of a Cornish woman, Jenny, who turns to a life of crime in order to survive when the fishing industry declines and she is unable to support her family. She is deported to what is now Australia and lives in atrocious and violent conditions both on the voyage and in the settlement. She is a strong character at a time when women had no education or rights - she stood up for herself and her children when it would have been unusual for an illiterate female convict to do so. She gave birth to two children but they both succumbed to disease and poverty.
Whilst I have some admiration for this character, I found the historical and geographical setting of this book more interesting. The descriptions of the conditions in the colony reminded me very much of Bryce Courtney’s earlier books whilst towards the end Pygmalion came to mind.
Whilst I have some admiration for this character, I found the historical and geographical setting of this book more interesting. The descriptions of the conditions in the colony reminded me very much of Bryce Courtney’s earlier books whilst towards the end Pygmalion came to mind.