Helpful Score: 4
In the second half of 1700s England was faced with a dilemma: What to do with their convicts. American continent was no longer available for it due to the American Revolution. So, England started looking for a new route. England started sending their convicts to Australia. This is a story of the very First Fleet to arrive. At the heart of the story is Mary Bryant, who was convicted for a highway robbery and sentenced for a transportation to Australia. Carolly Erickson does a great job describing the awful conditions on those prison transport ships, as well as the horrors that were facing the prisoners and mariners once they landed in Australia. Almost instantly it became clear that they were not prepared for a life in a new place: their crops refused to take and grow, the land was not as furtile as it was believed, relations with aborigines people weren't always friendly, the food was running out fast, and no help from the outside world was in sight. Facing a certain death from many deceases or from the famine, several convicts, including Mary, her husband, and her two children, decided on a dire escape. Against all odds they made a journey of over 3600 miles and landed in a Dutch colony. Unfortunatelly, the truth about them was soon out in the open and, once again Mary and the rest of the convicts were arrested and transfered to England for yet another trial. What will happen to Mary now?
This is an excellent story. Clearly it was well researched, however I found Carolly Erickson's writing a little mediocre.
This is an excellent story. Clearly it was well researched, however I found Carolly Erickson's writing a little mediocre.
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