Helpful Score: 3
4-1/2 Stars!
This woman can write - 825 pages of story and all of it detailed, in-depth etc (she wrote The Thorn Birds). All of her books are like a mini-series. The characters are in-depth, the time periods are accurate, the novel is based around actual events - a hella'va good story teller -
This woman can write - 825 pages of story and all of it detailed, in-depth etc (she wrote The Thorn Birds). All of her books are like a mini-series. The characters are in-depth, the time periods are accurate, the novel is based around actual events - a hella'va good story teller -
Helpful Score: 2
HMcCullough's narrative skills are fully displayed in this intricately researched, passionate epic of 18th-century England's colonization of Australia, in which an upright Bristol tavernkeeper, Richard Morgan, becomes one of the first British convicts to be sent to the rugged new prison colony of Botany Bay. It is not enough that Morgan is struggling with grief, having lost his wife and two children in three separate tragedies. He discovers that his employer is scamming the government of excise taxes, but when he reports the fraud, he becomes the target of the distiller's revenge. Framed for robbery and extortion, he is arrested and thrown into prisonDa hellish pit of overcrowding, disease and filthDthen convicted and sentenced to seven years transportation on the infamous slaver ships bound for Australia; the success of the American Revolution has closed the New World to England's unwanted population. During the horrific sea journey, Morgan becomes a leader among the men, protecting handsome Fourth Mate Stephen Donovan (called a Miss Molly by the crew), and forging a friendship that will last a lifetime
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book - to the extent that I hope there is a sequel planned. My maternal grandmother's maiden name was Morgan, from Wales, so besides my interest in the story, it got me wondering...how do you do a family tree?
Helpful Score: 1
Colleeen gives us a very good historical novel about the first folks to be landed on the Australian soil with no skills, no tools, no supplies and no food. Its a very good book to give us the reason why they were sent there. A must read.
Helpful Score: 1
an excellent saga, full of detail about those unfortunate early settlers in Botany Bay.
