Helpful Score: 2
I was captivated by this beautifully detailed story of young British women caught between circumstances and poverty, convicted of crimes and shipped to Australia to serve out their time. Heartbreaking and compelling, this story tells of the difficult sea journey with terrible living conditions. Once arrived in Australia, the convicts fulfill their sentences through daily work. Depending on the severity of the crime, they are assigned to laundry duty, to pick apart rope or work as a maid in someone's home. The girls learn to help each other to survive the penal system and find new inner strengths that they didn't know they had. Inspiring and touching. Really loved this book.
There is a 2005 mini series called MARY BRYANT, starring Jack Davenport from SMASH and COUPLING that has a similar beginning...I have not read this book yet, but it is on my TBR list. Can't wait. Check out the mini series if this historical saga captivated you.
