Sarah Hay (1) (1966–)

This book is a fictionalized account of a true story. In 1835, Dorothea Newell and 8 others were shipwrecked on an island off the coast of Western Australia. It is a harsh world and she finds herself a single white woman in the company of sealers, desperadoes and people of shady pasts.

To protect her younger sister, whose husband has tried to trade her to Black Jack Anderson the sealer, Dorothea becomes Anderson's woman. Even this does not guarantee her safety. She does what she must and keeps hergoal of returning to civilization burning.

It is not an easy or "feel good" story to read. The characters are hardened and as harsh as the conditions that surround them. It is a dark story, but does have moments of hope. Just when I'd think that it all was unbearable, something would happen to bring a little hope or goodness into the characters lives.

It is worth reading, though and probably gives a glimpse into a piece of
Australia's history that is probably not well known.

I looked up the author onthe internet and found this link:
http://www.allen-unwin.com.au/Authors/aphay.asp… (mais)