"Captivating . . . A tragedy of epic proportions . . . The reader can't help feeling implicated as a spectator of unimaginable hardship."—The New York Times Book Review
"A sweeping, heart-wrenching account of one woman's life-long search for freedom . . . based on the true story of Mary Bryant, an iconic figure in the foundation lore of Australia as Great Britain's penal colony."—Fantastic Fiction
"The pages fly by. Keneally's tale of this fierce, passionate, unstoppable woman will leave you breathless—and wanting more. An epic story of love and liberty."—Elizabeth Cobbs, bestselling author of The Tubman Command
"Grabs you by the collar and yanks you through a riveting story of unexpected twists and turns that will leave you breathless. Jenny Trelawney Gwynn is fierce, brash, and independent. She may be an eighteen-century convict, but she's a heroine worthy of our twenty-first century #MeToo moment."—Stephanie Storey, author of Oil and Marble: a Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo
“A page-turning high seas adventure led by an unlikely and utterly compelling woman . . . I was cheering for Jenny from the first page to the last."—Tiffany Quay Tyson, award-winning author of The Past Is Never
"A real page-turner, this breathtaking yarn will keep you on the edge of your seat."—Dr. Jonathan King, author of Mary Bryant: Her Life and Escape from Botany Bay
"An irresistible feast of history, adventure, intrigue and tragedy. Epic yet tender. Authentic yet inspired."—Clare Wright, author of You Daughters of Freedom
"I was utterly absorbed—swept up and transported into convict life. Jenny Trelawney's struggles—her intelligence, courage, and grit—as well as Meg Keneally's beautifully understated writing, kept me up past bedtime night after night."—Jane Rawson, author of From the Wreck
"Fled is one of the most satisfying historical fiction accounts in recent memory, reminiscent of Peter Carey at the height of his powers . . . A triumph of feminist determination. If this is the standard Keneally is setting, it will be no surprise to see that famed surname etched anew on the nation’s literary awards."—Saturday Paper (Australia)
"A colorfully detailed showcase for the limits of courage, daring, and human resourcefulness. Keneally's Jenny is a powerful personality."—Daily Mail
"Phenomenal . . . An extraordinary story that is almost too fantastic to be believed."—Booktopia
"Stunning . . . a wonderfully adventurous novel . . . Woven with style, built on solid research and an insight into times past."—The Book Trail
Description
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 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.
