Free

by Meg Keneally

'It is a harsh land - yes, for you especially - but people can also rise here ...'

Born into poverty in eighteenth-century England, her future was predetermined. But throughout her life Molly Thistle refused to follow the path laid out before her. Her headstrong nature, disdain for convention and desire for freedom were always destined to determine her fate.

Following her involvement in a fatal childhood prank, Molly dresses as a boy and flees on a stolen horse. Her new-found freedom ends with her arrest and an uncertain journey towards Britain's farthest prison colony.

Undaunted, Molly navigates her way through a society that denies power to her sex and scorns those who have not 'arrived free'. Her quick wit, resilience and ambition will attract the love of her life and the opportunity to forge a commercial empire. And those very same characteristics will create enemies intent on destroying all that she has battled to build for herself and her family.

Inspired by historical figures and actual events, Free shines a light on the indomitable figure who first made her appearance in The Wreck. In a story told with warmth and compassion for those who struggled, survived and sometimes even prevailed - and for those who did not - Meg Keneally once again brings the complexity and brutality of colonial Australia vividly to life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

328 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2024

About the author

Meg Keneally started her working life as a junior public affairs officer at the Australian Consulate-General in New York, before moving to Dublin to work as a sub-editor and freelance features writer. On returning to Australia, she joined the Daily Telegraph as a general news reporter, covering everything from courts to crime to animals' birthday parties at the zoo. She then joined Radio 2UE as a talkback radio producer.

In 1997 Meg co-founded a financial service public relations company, which she sold after having her first child. For more than ten years, Margaret has worked in corporate affairs for listed financial services companies, and doubles as a part-time SCUBA diving instructor. She lives in Sydney with her husband Craig and children Rory and Alex.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourteen year old Molly lived with her grandmother in rural England, a hard and harsh woman who did care for her granddaughter, but had trouble showing it. Molly was bound to end up in trouble, but stealing a horse, owned by the master she worked for, all to avoid a man who cared for nothing but to have his way with young women, was the worst she'd done. Dressed as a boy, she was captured when she tried to sell the horse; ending up in a prison cell with other criminals. They all knew her as James, until a doctor had to check her health before she embarked on the sailing ship which was to take her to the colonies, where Molly would serve seven years.

After a year onboard, and a fast new friend in Eliza, Molly had several jobs. But it was when she was the nanny to Peter that her fortunes changed. Angus Thistle, a free man Molly had met on the ship from England came into her life once more, and before long they were married. Mr and Mrs Thistle had a big future ahead of them, one with enemies and friends; brutality and kindness; hardship and compassion - but with strength and resilience, Molly and Angus would prevail.

Free by Aussie author Meg Keneally is an exceptional story of one person's life from childhood England, to the colonies in a newly fledged Australia. Based on fact, I enjoyed Molly's drive and determination, courage and lack of fear, as she made her way through history, loving and caring for her husband and their children in a place of hardship. Recommended.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a great love for Australian colonial stories that include determination, everyday struggles and the love that develops for this new country and Meg Keneally showcases all of these elements to perfection in Free.

Keneally uses Mary Reibey as her inspiration for the character of Molly Darrow later to become Molly Thistle who had a key role in her previous book The Wreck.
I remember when I read The Wreck I wanted to know more about Molly Thistle and here it is.

We learn how Molly came to be in Australia. From stealing a horse and escaping the gallows to being transported to Australia. Molly shows a tenacity to not let others determine her fate. If there is something she can do to turn the tables in her favour she is not scared to take the reins and head into the unknown.

Meg Keneally gives an adequate portrayal of life in Australia however doesn't over emphasise the cruelty, murder and beatings of convicts preferring to concentrate on the achievements made by Molly and her husband despite the many setbacks they encountered.

I was totally captivated by this story of courage, determination and sheer hard work that sees a young convict girl rise above the discrimination and setbacks to forge a life for herself and her family.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
‘From horse thief to the merchant queen of Sydney Cove’

Free by Meg Keneally is a brilliant story about the courage of a young convict girl who rises above the discrimination of being labelled a convict and rises far in society with her grit, hard work and fierce determination.

Headstrong Molly Thistle escapes the death penalty and is transported to colonial Australia for stealing a horse disguised as a boy. On the ships voyage to Australia, Molly bonds with a young traumatised girl named Eliza and meets Angas a trader on land and a first mate onboard.

I found Molly’s journey and her character extraordinary and loved how the story of how her life unfolded in Britain’s farthest person colony. Free is a highly engaging and remarkable read, beautifully written and unputdownable, I’d love to read more from this author.

This novel is inspired by the fascinating life of Mary Reibey.

Publication Date 30 April 2024
Publisher Echo Publishing

Thank you to the fabulous team Echo Publishing for sending me a copy of the book. Definitely one to check out!👌

[Trish Darnley-Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about our Australian history.

[Kay Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Meg Keneally’s latest book ‘Free’ and read it very quickly. I loved that it was loosely based on Mary Reibey who I don’t really know much about - I will now delve a bit more deeply into her life. I also enjoyed the Monsarret series of books that Meg co-wrote with her father Tom. I wish there were more of them. I love historical fiction. Hopefully there will be another addition in the future! A great read!

[Sharon Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it but would have more depth.Love colonial tales especially when the story features a strong woman.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this depiction of the life of women who had been deported to Australia. Once Angus dies I felt the pacing and plot changed and it lost my attention.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

FREE by Meg Keneally is published by Echo April 2024.

Review by Lorraine Parker

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres. Free is up there with the very best and very much a page turner.

Molly Thistle was born into poverty. For so many, this was an inherent part of England in the eighteenth century. However, her feisty spirit, disdain for convention and desire for freedom were always just below her surface.

A childhood prank where Molly dressed as a boy, rides on a ‘stolen’ horse seals her fate. Her joyous feeling of freedom ends with her arrest (as a boy), and very soon an uncertain journey, (at the age of fourteen), towards Britain's farthest prison colony. Whilst in jail her attention was caught by Eliza who lay on the floor and was petrified by the approach of this ‘boy’.
Molly was soon found out as being really a girl. Her status was quickly fixed as was her transportation as a convict to Botany Bay.

The women crowded on board and into their hold. Molly once more is drawn to Eliza. She realises that Eliza does not recognise her as she is now in girl clothes. Eliza does not speak and is still traumatised. Gunner Johnson is assigned as the female convict’s supervisor. His aim is for all to survive the journey. Molly’s leadership and survival qualities come to the fore as she catches Gunner’s attention and pushes herself forward to organise the distribution of everything for the women. (Including times on deck in the fresh air)

The hierarchy of society that exists in the new colony will challenge Molly’s tenacity, strength and determination to the full. Her quick wit, resilience and ambition will attract the love of her life and the opportunity to forge a commercial empire. There is no doubt that her success will attract antagonists, adversaries, and criminals from all over. How will she protect her family? Will she endure? However, her loyalty to and from Eliza will endure.

A remarkable, fascinating, vivid and entirely believable journey is painted by the mesmerising prose of author Meg Keneally.

[Jennifer Larmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this historical fiction novel while visiting Port Arthur in the south of Tasmania, formerly known as Van Deimans Land.
I’ve always been a lover of historical fiction and this certainly kept me enthralled with both the storyline and the variety of characters within its pages.
Molly Thistle begins life as a young English orphan foisted between relatives in the towns around Manchester until one day in an act of tomfoolery she steals an expensive horse. It doesn’t take long before she’s caught and thrown in the local prison at the tender age of 13. Adopting the name of her deceased childhood friend, and wearing boys clothes in order to save herself from the lustful reach of fellow prisoners, she soon finds herself shackled in the dank, smelly hold of a sailing ship bound for Port Jackson on the other side of the world.
This is a powerful book going into vivid detail of life as a young convict girl who eventually marries a free settler/merchant who owns ships and buys and sells goods to the newly arrived citizens of this land Downunder.
With her passionate drive and keen business skills, it doesn’t take long before Molly becomes a skilled tradeswoman, between birthing six babies while her husband sails the seas in search of more good quality merchandise.
Naturally, there are dastardly villains trying to besmirch the reputation of this hardworking ex-convict, as well as cunning fellow merchants trying to knock her off her well-deserved position in society. Thankfully, there are also good folk who help in her hours of need, along with a dire event that has her fighting for her reputation - and all of these keep readers turning the pages long into the night.
This was an enthralling story, inspired by historical figure and actual events and I readily give it a well-deserved 8🌟out of 10.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Meg Keneally book and certainly not my last!

A beautifully told story about the struggles of Molly, a young feisty girl who was left with no choice but to steal a horse and flee following a prank that went horribly wrong. Her only care is for the horse and to get as far away from her village as possible. When she fled, she had disguised herself as a boy but now, needing to stay alive, she keeps this disguise but ends up being arrested and following a harrowing time in prison, is sent to the colonies.

This allows her to resume life as herself and Molly starts to learn the ways of the new world in Sydney Cove and soon learns that being labelled a convict will have lifelong ramifications. Her drive and focus to be declared free and to make a success of her life despite the challenges, are what makes this book so compelling.

Her life is not easy but slowly she starts to build the family she so desperately wants. She marries Angus and becomes Mrs Molly Thistle but being a mother is not the only role she will take on. Molly becomes the rock of the family, and her quick mind is turned to many a project that will shock some and leave others in awe. The only barriers in her way are those in power that see her as a criminal and, of course, as a woman who is stepping out of her place. Can she draw the strength to succeed?

Fabulous read!

[IE · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3. Not the most descriptive of historic novels, lots of dialogue, it didn’t feel like I was ‘there’. The twists were revealed straight away, no suspense. It jumps forward in time a lot, I preferred reading about the earlier years of character Molly’s life, which were more compelling. By the last quarter I was losing interest and it was just tying up loose ends. If you’re looking for another historical fiction about women convicts I would recommend ‘The Tin Ticket’ by Deborah J. Swiss and Deborah Challinor’s ‘Behind the Sun’ which is the first book in the ‘convict girls’ series, the whole series is worth a read.

[Victoria Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story and found it very accessible and easy to read. I don't really understand why it was necessary to change the name of every historical figure, including Bligh, who doesn't even appear 'on-screen'. I think I would have engaged better with it if I wasn't trying to navigate the unnecessarily fictionalisation when reading about real people, places and events, but it probably wouldn't be an issue for someone reading without much knowledge of early colonial Sydney.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting tale of a young girl who became a thief rather than be molested by another servant. She managed to avoid the hangman only to be sent to Sydney as a convict. She was a fighter, a struggler, determined to survive and so she did, rising from convict to be respected member of society, although she still had battles to overcome.

[Maryanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another ripping feminist historical yarn from Meg Keneally.
Impossible to tear yourself away!

[Susan Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK book. A bit predictable but quite enjoyable

[Elisa Brogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written That I read it in one sitting

[C Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the history

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed- characters felt like cardboard cutouts and the story was quite dull. Looking forward to reading another book about the real Mary to compare the two

[Kathleen Downie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel about colonisation of New South Wales

[Bill Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the storyline a bit soft for the time it was set in. But easy to read.

[Sally Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy listen and always enjoy well written stories about early Australia.

[Lenka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*