A story of enduring love and friendship, and bold wild women who refuse the dictates of their times.
London 1833: The cast-out child of an aristocratic mother, Hannah ‘Birdie’ Bird is a laundry maid with a hidden past and a suspicion that the wealthy family she serves is hers.
Longing for beauty and liberation, Birdie risks everything to change her circumstances. She falls into love and crime, committing an audacious heist. When she is betrayed, she finds herself swept into a wave of female convicts, transported to the ends of her known world.
The journey to the early Australian settlement drives the women to deepest despair. Birdie finds wonder in even this darkest hour, and forms deep bonds with her fellow prisoners. But greater than even the trials onboard is the fear of what awaits them in Sydney Cove.
What chance does Birdie have of beating the odds? Can she fight her way to freedom?
Drawing from the rarely celebrated true stories of female convicts, this striking debut vividly evokes a far-off time.
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Wow, what an amazing story. I felt every emotion reading this book. When I feel as if I’m right next to the characters in the story, then I know that the writer understands her characters and can tell a story. This was not the normal ‘convict shipped from England to Australia’ storyline, the majority of the story was in England, before being shipped to Australia. It told of the unfairness and hardship of those sent into service at such a young age. Bridie, the main character endured much sadness from a very young age, my heart ached for her. But she was a fighter and never gave up. It was hard going in the sense that you feel anger towards the class system, but that’s an emotion that the writer made me feel reading this story. I really enjoyed this book. Davina, SA, 5 Stars
This book was hard to put down! I felt almost the entire gamut of emotions throughout the course of Hannah’s story, and had my heart in my throat a number of times. Heartbreaking, desperate, and at times brutal, things never turned out quite how I was anticipating. The Gallows Bird is a fantastic debut novel for Barbara Sumner, and a brilliant work of historical fiction. Chrissie, WA, 5 Stars
Not much is written about female convicts travelling to Australia, but in “The Gallows Bird”, Barbara Sumner has opened a window into the possible lives of a generation of women who played a part in Australian history. Using the scant information to be found on female convict stories, Barbara has woven a fascinating tale of love, revenge, crime and self-discovery. Full of graphic description and meticulously researched language, the book brings to life both the slums and aristocratic life of London in 1833, as well as the conditions found on board the convict ships. It is easy to sympathize with the main character, Birdie, who as a victim of circumstance embarks on a journey which will ultimately lead her to the distant shores of the Australian colony to make a new life. A powerful novel which brings to light a hitherto unexplored tale of Australia’s convict history. Karina, QLD, 5 Stars
Congratulations to Barbara Sumner on her debut novel which portrayed the hardship, perseverance, strength, and endurance of women and their camaraderie through ignominy. A great read and look forward to a sequel(?). Joan, VIC, 5 Stars
We meet Birdie as she heads to her new life as a laundry maid for an aristocratic family. As she washes the clothes and sheets she begins to think about her past and her future. Falling in love can lead to bad choices and we see how one bad choice changes Birdies life. Life aboard the ship is hard at times and we see how the voyage was back then and how strong you needed to be. Starting a new life in Australia is tough and we see just the start of something new. Barbara Sumner has brought an incredible story to life. I would like a following novel to tell more of Birdies life in Australia Smelling flowers in all the colours of the clothes. I loved the way this helped you get a sense of elegance through making you feel the smells and visualize the colours. So much research has been done to bring this story to life. One which I adored. The whole journey from start to finish was strong and let me understand a bit more about how tough life really was back then. If you love historical or Australian stories then this is for you. Ann-Marie, SA, 5 Stars
The Gallows Bird starts in London in 1833, Hannah ‘Birdie’ Bird lives with her mother, Helena. She has taught Birdie how to stitch and repair beautiful fabrics and gowns for the upper class. Helena becomes ill and before she passes away, she arranges for Birdie to go to one of the big houses as a laundry maid. Birdie works long hours on her own in the laundry where she washes and mends the family’s and staff’s garments. When she begins to believe there is a connection between her mother and the family she works for, Birdie starts to take risks that will set her on a path of trouble. Leaving the house on her half day off Birdie is curious about the people she meets and her love for beautiful fabrics and garments. She finds herself infatuated by an older man and is led into being an accomplice in a silk heist. Birdie is sentenced to life in the penal colony of Sydney Cove. On board the ship to Australia, naïve Birdie befriends the more worldly female prisoners who protect her as much as possible. She endures physical abuse, hunger and fear for her future. This story tells of the horrific conditions the prisoners, women and men had to endure during months at sea. The strength and solidarity the women developed was how they survived. This is a debut novel of Barbara Sumner I look forward to her next book. Karen, VIC, 5 Stars
This book is a riveting and what I believe to be an accurate account of the plight female convicts had to overcome to build the foundation of colonial Australia. It delves into themes of love, crime and friendship. Birdie is a trailblazer who, despite the harsh conditions she is exposed to, shows that resilience survives in the end. Thoroughly enjoyed this epic novel and would recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction particularly with a female protagonist at the heart of the story. Justine, NSW, 5 Stars
This is a delightful novel with a young heroine who has been raised in poverty but she believes her mother who teaches her to read and to speak french is an aristocrat. Her mother finds her work as a laundry maid and Birdie’s love of fine silk soon has her finding ways to try on the beautiful silk dresses. Birdie takes ridiculous risks and is involved in a heist of silk. She is betrayed and finds herself being transported as a convict to Australia. On the convict ship she continues to take risks and has many misadventures but forms great friendships and connections with her fellow prisoners. I found this book very enjoyable. I just wish it had not started with a prologue which gave the ending away and spoilt it for me. Meredith, TAS, 5 Stars
Wonderful historical fiction, set in London 1833. It’s the story of a girl whose mother was cast out from her wealthy family when her pregnancy was discovered. At age 13, Birdie secures a job as a laundry maid, possibly in the same household that her mother came from. I loved how the character of Birdie was suffused with dreams and aspirations, revelling in colours and scents that only she seems aware of. At the same time the reader is not spared all the grotty details of impoverished life in London, and the exacting travail of the laundress, the blistered hands, and the backbreaking work from morn til night. The character of fellow maid, Mary, is beautifully delineated – her wondering awe at Birdie’s adventurousness, her love of the scandalous stories Birdie tells and her simple platitudes borne of an acceptance of her lot in life. Sumner’s book seems like a well-researched account of the times, when a starving person convicted of stealing a bit of bread would be sentenced to transportation to Australia, as a convict. Birdie’s wilfulness sees her ally herself with others who seek to better themselves by taking what they can. The result: a horrific voyage to the other side of the world. Like others I will be awaiting the sequel, to find out what she makes of her life in the colonies. Helen, SA, 5 Stars
Really enjoyed this book! Loved the different settings throughout this story. The characters were believable and as expected loved so 3 and hated others. This was a really enjoyable read, with a lot of history thrown into the mix! Look forward to reading more by this fabulous debut author! Karina, NSW, 5 Stars
Hannah Bird is born of good but falls down the poor trail and convicted for crimes beyond all women. Her story of trouble ends as she is transported to the Colony on his majesty’s service. Destined for the female factory. A page turner and one that is hard to put down. Birdie as she is known really takes the journey in detail. A five star book for me. Tianne, NSW, 5 Stars
What an incredible insight into life from this era. Barbara really makes you feel emersed into the locality with her beautifully vivid descriptions and the use of smells and tastes to enhance the imagery that comes to mind. I love the character of Birdie and watching her form her relationships with those around her. I was moved by the passage of travel on the ship from London to Sydney – to think that many people would have travelled this way and what they would have endured on that journey was eye opening to me. It’s amazing to think about actually how far that is by boat and compare it to the differences in our world today compared to the 1800’s. I was so relieved to see that she ended up getting her love and how that came about – was like a huge sense of relief when I got to that part in the book! Overall I really enjoyed this book and it has opened my interest in other authors who write stories that relate to time gone by. Jodi, QLD, 5 Stars
Thanks to the Better Reading team for my preview copy. Hannah Bird (Birdie), also known as Birdie, was a courageous young woman who worked as the laundry maid at Angus Hall in London when she was just 13 years old. She met a charming Joe on her day out and was involved in a silk heist that sentenced her to the Antipodes for the term of her natural life. The journey to the early Australian settlement was a game-changer. She makes friends on the ship with fellow prisoners while trying hard to stand up for her rights. Can they fight their way to freedom or fall into slavery in the new land? While there is a bit of a supernatural effect, I still enjoyed reading the book because I felt like reading the historical story of the convict in Sydney, the land of opportunity. In the end, Birdie realizes that to be able to choose is the greatest freedom of all. Margaret, NSW, 5 Stars
I recently received an ARC copy of the Gallows bird by Barbara Sumner thanks to #BRReadingPreview @BetterReadingau. This book is great for lovers of historical fiction especially for lovers of penal system/transportation to Australia kinds of books. It gives great insight into the poor treatment of women and the lower class citizens and what a harrowing life the women had once arriving in Sydney and being put to work in the women’s factory for something as simple as stealing a potato to feed a starving family. The protagonist Hannah Bird is so brave despite her youth and diminutive size. She possesses a strength she didn’t even realise which draws others to her and inspires people to be brave. It is a harrowing but inspirational tale about following your dreams and having faith in your capabilities. A great story for any generation whom wishes to understand our ancestry. Hirell, NSW, 5 Stars
On the day of her 13th birthday Hannah Bird, becomes the under-laundry maid at Angus Hall. After 1 year probation, she will be granted ½ a day leave per month from the arduous workload and dank, rat infested corridors. She shares a bed in the attic with meek Mary who accepts her servitude, her daily food and shelter assured. Birdie aspires to better her circumstances, believing that ‘the world could turn, and we could become them’. Birdie had been taught to read and speak French by her mother who had been banished from the ancestral home with nothing but her baby and a red silk gown. At night she reads aloud the Penny Dreadfuls ‘borrowed’ from the family’s indulged daughter, and when she meets the enigmatic Joe Birdie fears she’s stepped into a plot ‘where lowly servant meets charming cad’. She and Joe plan a future together, but treachery and a silk heist gone horribly wrong results in transportation for the term of her natural life. Only the Antipodean quota saves her from the gallows. The shipboard conditions are fetid, enforced marriages to sailors for the duration of the voyage imposed. By luck, Birdie escapes such a union but is again subjected to the iniquity in Sydney where ticket of leave convicts can purchase a wife from the Female Factory workhouse. Birdie is irrepressible, optimistic and a little bit feisty. Her friendships are strong, but so too are her enmities. Can she overcome harsh treatment, grueling conditions and malice to beat the odds? Reminiscent of Marcus Clark’s classic, but with a female protagonist, Barbara Sumner’s debut presents the brutalities against women with poignancy. And with colour, that thanks to Birdie, we can smell. Anita, QLD, 5 Stars
The Gallows Bird is a work of art, inspired by the historical true stories of female convicts who were banished from London and transported across the seas to the early Australian settlement. Sumner has written from a characters view that Australian history has rarely celebrated or acknowledged. While some has been written about the wives of the men who worked for his majesty the King and travelled to Australia willingly, or those upper class ladies who paid for passage looking for a new life with their husbands, the female convicts view is one that is rarely heard of. Sumner has written a brutal yet unwavering tale of survival which leaves nothing to the imagination of what these women would have been subjected to. Deep down, Sumner has made the underlying theme of love and survival. The foolish mistakes we will make for love, but the strength and determination that love gives to ensure survival. Birdie’s motivation to keep going and not succumbing to the trials that plaque her are all based on love. Love for her mother, romantic live and the love of friendship. This is an overarching theme through out the novel, not just for Birdie but the majority of the characters who survive. While this is not a traditional senior school text, I feel this could be easily integrated into the English Curriculum and would allow another side of Australia’s ancestry to be studied. There are a multitude of themes and elements that could be pulled from this text to create some exciting and thought provoking discussions. I would class Sumner’s writing in the same vein as Kate Grenville and Bryce Courtenay, and I cannot wait to see what she produces next. All in all, The Gallows Bird is a celebration of the lengths women will go to in the hopes of paving their own path, even though history and societal norms are against them. Mel, NSW, 4 Stars
The Gallows Bird is set in the 1830s and follows the story of protagonist, Hannah ‘Birdie’ Bird during her adolescence after being sent to work at an estate by her mother. Birdie is employed as a laundry maid for a wealthy family. Barbara Sumner’s debut novel provides a riveting insight into the dichotomy between the excessive wealthy aristocracy London against the impoverished community who serve them. Birdie’s story follows her struggles within her employment, her absent mother, emerging love and her dreams for a better life. This tale takes place across London, includes the treacherous sailing through international waters and finally to Sydney Cove, Australia. Barbara Sumner’s writing is a wonderful insight into the harrowing existence for poverty-stricken women and the result of desperate actions. I particularly loved reading about the experience of women sent to an Australia where a female-shortage meant exiled women were at the mercy of a system seeking to further the colonisation of Australia. Lisa, VIC, 4 Stars
History harnesses some dark stories particularly in a period where survival was triumphant as poverty and harsh laws presided. The nineteenth century in London conjures awful images as an overcrowded and hungry population did what they could to survive. Crime punishable by death or transportation to the colonies. Birdie was born into money and raised a servant girl. Instinctively she craved finer things in life and desired clothing to reinstate her heritage. Determined to change her destiny she falls in love and commits a brazen crime. Her notoriety, her good grace and her cleverness ensured her safe passage on the convict ship that brought her to Australia. A fate, an alien land and a penal system that will test her resolve as she adjusts. A story that celebrates the strength and tenacity female convicts had and the loyalty that formed. Such traits that help define a new nation. A debut that takes the reader back through time effortlessly and enlightens the senses with the smells, sights and sounds of a time where humanity was yet to be enlightened. Craig, VIC, 4 Stars
Gallows Bird tells the story of Birdie, born into poverty with dreams above her station – this is her life story. A moving narrative of abandonment and betrayal, Gallows Bird is deeply descriptive as Birdie can smell textures and colours in her world, it transports the reader back to the historical setting Perhaps a few too many long words in the opening chapter, I’m all for expanding vocabulary but they weren’t in common use Claire, VIC, 4 Stars
Barbara Summer’s The Gallows Bird tells the story of Birdie sent off to work as a laundry maid on her 13th birthday. Betrayal leads her to be sentenced to life in a penal country. A must read for those who enjoy historical fiction, her story is an example of the strength and courage to survive hard workloads, terrible living conditions in servitude. Teresa, VIC, 4 Stars
The Gallows Bird takes us back to dark times where being a lower classed citizen meant you were born to serve. Living with her adored, but now unwell, Mother in harsh conditions, Hannah Bird (Birdie) is bundled off on her 13th Birthday, to a new life as an under-laundry maid in Angus Hall. She refuses to accept that this life of servitude is all her future holds. Upon falling for the charming Joe, and his dreams of a better future, Birdie becomes drawn into a risky theft which sees her being caught, convicted and transported to Australia. The transportation is a harrowing ordeal where the women are raped and abused. Once landed in Sydney their convict status will determine their life ahead. Whilst this story tells of the poor treatment of lower class citizens during this time and the appalling abuse of convicts, it also speaks of women’s strength, endurance and resilience. The author has drawn on true stories. I really enjoyed this book. The reason I deducted a star is that I felt the pace was a little inconsistent. The first half of the book ambled along, whereas the final chapters seemed a little rushed and not as credible. Sue, VIC, 4 Stars
The Gallows Bird tells the tale of Hannah Bird, an impoverished child sent to work in a well-to-do household as the laundry maid when her mother can no longer look after her. But she is tempted by ideas above her station, gets herself in serious trouble and as punishment is sentenced to transportation. Birdie is the vessel for many of the stories of the forgotten and abused female convicts of the colonial era. A lot happens to Birdie and the collection of women she finds in her life both as a servant and as a convict. She is a naive and at times frustrating narrator observing many horrors and not always realising the danger she is in but really she is a vessel to describe the experiences of women of her time. The Gallows Bird is full of terrible events and terrible men (and definitely also some terrible men) but there are plenty of lovely moments of strength and hope as well. A great read for the historical fiction fans interested in London and the colonies of this era with a side of speaking up for women. Amelia, VIC, 4 Stars
Barbara Sumner has a way of writing that takes you into the sounds, smells, and colours of England in the early 1800’s, the convict ship and Australia in the mid 1800’s. The heroine is a flawed individual but the author shows the strength of character she has in rising above all that life has dealt her and triumphing in the end. This book also shows the strength of women’s friendships and how together the women can overcome the depravity that is all around them. Rhonda, VIC, 4 Stars
Barbara Sumner has cleverly written ‘The Gallows Bird’ using words from the 1830’s giving the story authenticity. She describes how different rules were used for the privileged upper class from the poorer lower class, especially for the servants of the wealthy. Some characters are instantly disliked for their personality and actions of brutality. Others are pitied for what they are forced to endure through extreme poverty and circumstances. Each having a part to play in bringing this story to the reader’s imagination of what it was like back then. This book describes the lives of female convicts with a strong will to endure deprivation to survive. Rules had to be obeyed or suffer severe consequences. Without employment, stealing was a way to obtain food for survival. Getting caught could mean the gallows or being sent to Sydney Cove by sea. It is hard to imagine how the female convicts were so brave in the face of such adversity. Enduring hardship was the only way to survive with little hope of a better future. This book has given an insight into such dismal times and an appreciation gained for being so fortunate in our lives today. Cherylene, QLD, 4 Stars
I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to read another convict story. But Barbara Sumner wrote a very powerfully descriptive novel. Her characters were big and bold and Hannah especially so. Her powers of description had my nose scrunched up at the smells and conditions. Not to mention the body odours and bad, stinking breath! How did people survive those times? I guess many didn’t. She cleverly had so many characters in her story. From first generation Milbah to the lame – Catherine and Sangrine with her hair lip. It seems authors Have to include all that and homosexuality in their novels to cover all bases. But having said that those things were all about. Interesting that Womens emancipation was covertly mentioned as far back as early 1800’s and it took another 100 years to finally get through. But still we are fighting for equal pay and equal rights in so many things today. And Domestic Violence is still a huge problem. A very good read. Thought provoking. I love a good historical fiction story. Thank-you for allowing me to read it. JOY, VIC, 4 Stars
The Gallow Birds was a novel that I could not put down. A novel about hardship, cruelty, unbroken spirits and an unexpected ending. My favourite genre is historical fiction so this novel was right up my alley, kept me on my toes the whole time. The characters were all strong and and I felt like I knew them personally. I really enjoyed this book. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
The Gallows Bird by Barbara Sumner is a fast-paced, thoroughly engaging story of one woman’s journey for freedom. London 1833, Hannah ‘Birdie’ Bird was the daughter of an aristocratic mother, being a cast-out she spends her days as a laundry housekeeper for a wealthy family but often wonder if who she serves is her true family. Longing for a better life she commits a crime, her actions see her on a ship to Sydney Cove with other female convicts. The narrative is engaging, well-crafted, and captivating. It is a story filled with realistic characters and vivid descriptions of various scenes that intrigue the reader from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of the novel involving the journey to the early Australian settlement. I found it so easy to visualise and applaud Sumner for the way she brings the 1830s not only in London but also Australia to life. Birdie is an incredibly likable character with a depth and the supporting cast are brilliant, you can easily get involved with each in an emotional sense. The subject is not one you see written about too often, but this topic has been managed well, creating a story that all fans of the genre can absolutely read. Melissa, SA, 4 Stars
The Gallows Bird was a fascinating dive into the lives of the working class lives of women in the 1800s. The story takes our main character from her early servitude in a wealthy home, to the brutal life of transportation to Australia. I was especially taken by the vivid imagery of Birdie’s early years in London, with details of sights, sounds and scents luring us in and sparking the imagination. Kim, VIC, 4 Stars
I enjoyed the overall read, though it was terribly slow and tedious in places. Sentence construction was good – being an unproofed copy, there were a plethora of errors but I would recommend this book. I particularly enjoyed the story from landing in Australia and the end bit was nice after all of the misery. Thanks for the opportunity to review this book. Erin, VIC, 4 Stars
Barbara Sumner’s first novel is based on historical accounts of female convicts transported to Australia in the mid-1800s. We begin in London and follow the life of Hannah “Birdie” Bird who has lived in a squalid tenement prior to her arrival and placement as a laundry maid at Angus Hall. The author’s imagining of Birdie’s life evocatively describes the horrific circumstances of the poor, as well as the hopelessness of barely existing in servitude. Her words filled me with despondency, and I empathised with Birdie’s desire for freedom and the chance to determine her own future. We then follow Birdie and her fellow convicts on their voyage to the fledgling colony of Sydney. The author again conveys the despair these women must have felt as they swapped one form of enslavement for another. One can only marvel at the moments of kindness and humour as these women try to express their humanity. Most characters are well crafted, and I enjoyed the way the author used smell as a device to reflect Birdie’s emotions. I found the ending slightly unsatisfying as it rushed towards the story’s opportunistic conclusion. Well written and a good read. Kath, QLD, 4 Stars
So good to have such strong female characters. Barbara has us wanting for Birdie to improve her life and things go her way, as her life is tough in that period of time. Lynette, NSW, 3 Stars
Thank you to Better Reading for an advance copy of The Gallows Bird in exchange for a review. Hannah Bird (Birdie) has spent her life with her mother Helena in the poorer streets of London. On her thirteenth birthday, she is sent away to work as an under-laundry maid as her ailing mother can no longer care for her. While working in the laundry, Birdie develops ideas beyond her station and yearns for a better life. When she meets Joe, she is fooled into believing that he loves her and ends up being an accomplice to a crime that sees her sentenced to deportation to Australia. The perspective of female convicts arriving in Australia was different angle, one I have not read before. I found it interesting reading about their resilience and the challenges that they faced. However, for me, I found Birdie somewhat unlikeable. Belinda, NSW, 3 Stars
Hannah Bird (Birdie) works as a laundry maid for a wealthy family in London. Her mother was from an aristocratic family but was turned out by her grandfather when she gave birth to Birdie (out of wedlock). She desperately wants to change her circumstances, but unfortunately she meets and falls in love with Joe, a criminal, and helps commit a silk heist. Her life in England is over when she is sentenced to transportation as a convict to Australia. The first half of the book details her life in London as a laundry maid and her fall into crime. The latter half of the book gives a very graphic account of life on board ship on the way to Australia and her ultimate fate in the new colony. The author easily brings to life the arduous conditions endured by servants in the early 1800’s, while her telling of life on board a convict ship leaves the reader feel like a silent witness to all the dreadful happenings on that journey. Elva, QLD, 3 Stars
A well researched and interesting book. I found it a little bit hard to get into the characters and they were not all as likeable as they could have been. Despite this, it was a fascinating insight into a significant time in history. Vanessa, QLD, 3 Stars
Hannah Bird (Birdie) has lived her life with her mother Helena in the poorer streets of London. On her thirteenth birthday, she is sent away to work as an under-laundry maid as her ailing mother can no longer care for her. It is here that she develops ideals beyond her station and is betrayed and sentenced to deportation to the far away port of Sydney in Australia. While there were parts to this story I definitely enjoyed, I found the story fairly disjointed and almost trying to do too much. Birdie had a brilliant backstory and I wish that had been played out a little more especially with the others in the house. Her story ended up feeling disjointed and her time there ended quite abruptly without any kind of closure. I did enjoy the perspective of the female convicts arriving in Australia. It’s not something we read about often and I found the women’s stories interesting. I wish that this had been developed more within the book as we don’t know much about what happened to the women once they arrived in Australia. Liat, NSW, 3 Stars
Laundry maid Hannah ‘Birdie’ Bird longs for a better life, sure that the aristocratic blood that runs through her veins entitles her to more than a life of domestic servitude. Petulant and adventurous, Hannah gets caught up in a daring crime and soon finds herself on a new adventure, but a convict ship bound for Australia is not what she had in mind! A cast of newfound and supportive friends assist Birdie both before and after her incarceration, and the harsh reality of female convicts is exposed. The ending may be a little saccharine for some, especially given the subject matter. Jessica, QLD, 3 Stars
This was a great piece of Australian history. The voyage across to the other side of the world was so real that I almost felt like I was on the ship with these women. After they leave the ship they are taken to the female factory and this turns out to be worse than they imagined. Here they were ‘sold’ to men in a marriage market. Each character has their own unique personality and the main character, Birdie did come across as a bit annoying at times. My favourite was Lizzie, who decided she’d do whatever it took to make her way in this new land. She was sassy, flighty and was always positive. Even after the terrible consequence of her ‘marriage’. Overall I enjoyed this book. The story was well written and the characters were -mostly- believable. Chris, VIC, 3 Stars
I did enjoy The Gallows Bird and found it an easy read. I did feel though that it was disjointed at times and hard to follow The writer had a lot of strong topics that she wanted to cover but they became superficial stories without depth as they become rushed from one to the next and at times the story became hard to follow. This made it difficult to connect to the characters and would have liked to delve into parts of the story line a lot more as I think Birdie could have had a really great story to tell. Jo, VIC, 3 Stars
Thanks to the Better Reading team for my preview copy. This book had so much potential and it was quite disturbing to read about what took place during the journey between the UK and Australia as well as what happened to these poor women once they arrived at their destination. The problem for me was that there were too many pages of describing Birdie’s work and reflecting back to how she grew up. I realise this is a novel but Birdie’s experience was quite “easy” compared to the other convicts and not quite realistic. It was such an interesting topic and I wish I could give it more stars but to me, there were quite a lot of unimportant pages. Sandra, NSW, 2 Stars
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