The outlaw who became a folk hero for her courage and her daring escape by sea: “An epic story of love and liberty” (Elizabeth Cobbs, bestselling author of The Hamilton Affair) Jenny Gwyn is a survivor. Faced with destitution after the death of her father, she becomes a highwaywoman to support her impoverished family. One fatal mistake leads to her arrest, and the king’s justice demands her … king’s justice demands her death. But rather than beg for mercy, Jenny condemns the system that would make her choose between obeying the law and dying, and breaking it for the chance to survive. Her ferocity convinces the judge to spare her life, and he sentences her and dozens of other convicts to transport across the seas to England’s penal colony in Australia.
After a grueling passage on a filthy ship where she must sell her body for protection, Jenny learns that her struggles have only just begun. The landscape of Sydney Cove is harsh and unwelcoming to the new settlers, with its arid climate and precious little fresh water. Despite the lack of shackles or bars, she and the others are still prisoners under the strict watch of Governor Edward Lockharty, and no amount of cunning can earn his favor. Jenny refuses to submit to the governor or to the barren land unable to support the growing population. Determined to find a better life for herself and her children, she braves the sea, and a journey of over three thousand miles in a small rowboat, for a chance at a future worth fighting for.
Based on the true story of Mary Bryant, an iconic figure in the foundation lore of Australia, Fled is a sweeping, heart-wrenching account of one woman’s life-long search for freedom.
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Solid historical fiction with a class perspective.
An entertaining historical novel.
A part of our worlds embarrassing history that we don’t hear much about. Very informative and realistic.
An interesting look at Australian colonization
Good
The grit and determination of this woman is phenomenal. Once you get past the fictional constructs of the story you begin to wonder if you could summon the courage she exhibited. The ending was a bit of a let down in that the heroine fell into obscurity once back home but then that is all too often the truth of the matter.
In many ways it reminded me of the novel Unbroken.
It was very emotional and sad to think it was somewhat based on a real persons experience.
I couldn’t put it down. Great character development. So sad to realize that it was based on a real person who lived in very tragic times. Highly recommend.
Excellent writing.
The book really showed the commitment women have to their offspring. No matter what happened to the main character she continued to fight for a better life. The fact that it is based on a true story made it even more compelling.
It was a well written book about something I always wondered about; the convicts who were transported to Austraila from England.
I have read these kinds of stories (adventures and harrowing escapes in nature) all my life and it reminded me of the “Outback”. I loved the courage of the characters and their character flaws. These people in the story were at both a courageous lot and yet survival in hostile environments can reduce us to base responses. Loved the unwinding of the story.
Realistic depiction of prisoners held in worse than deplorable conditions. Slow reading coincides with slow passage of time. Memorable.
Great story, some of the ocean storm scenes went on a bit much but very good book.
Worth the read
Traveling for months from England on a prison ship to Australia shows the barbaric and generous side of people enclosed on a floating island.
“Meg Keneally’s debut solo novel is an epic historical adventure based on the extraordinary life of convict Mary Bryant”.
I was already acquainted with the history of Mary and was looking forward to this particular author’s fictionalised version of the plight of Mary and her ordeal at being transported to Australia in the late 18th century and her exceptional tale of survival.
In this book “Fled”, Jenny is a convicted highway robber and in escaping the noose is ‘transported beyond the seas for seven years’ provided she can stay alive. The many ordeals Jenny encountered from being incarcerated in disgusting gaol conditions to the sea voyage and then the act itself of staying alive on new and uncultivated land, with her baby Charlotte, were truly awful. Giving birth on the ship must have been horrendous and I really can’t imagine just how bad the hygiene must have been. It honestly makes you stop and think about how hard times were for the very poor, who resorted to petty crime just to survive. A truly harrowing story, of survival, grief and perseverance, the author has captured the era and Mary’s story through Jenny spot on. It was very hard at times not to shed a tear at the really frightening and acutely distressing experiences that was endured by all the convicts male and female alike.
A very well written and atmospheric novel based on real life events that the author has developed using her own imagination and what she perceives to be what life was like for the countless convicts that were transported many, many years ago.
I would recommend “Fled” and I’d happily read more historical adventures from this author again. I really enjoyed this particular account of Mary’s life and as strong, inspirational women go she’s got to be one of the best in history.
4 stars