Jessica

I wanted to like this book more than I did. The first half had me hooked, and then it became Marys story, not Jessica’s. There was no more Billy, Jack, Joe, Hester or Meg. It was Mary and the girls. And whilst this was interesting and heartbreaking to read, it completely steered away from what the first half of the book was about, all for the main story line to have the ends tied together again in the last few pages. A great insight into our country in the early days but ended in a frustrating read for me.

I didn't finish this book. A first for me! I just couldn't. I was a little more than halfway through the book, which is quite an investment considering its length, then to make the decision to not finish, was not an easy decision. The book sucked me in from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down. I was dedicated and devoted to Jessica--her biggest fan.
There was tension, a lot of it, from the beginning, that grew and grew like a cancer--rapidly and impenetrable. But there was never ever a glimmer of hope anywhere, and I looked, waited, wished, and prayed for just one tiny smidge of hope. Nothing.
I stopped reading and went back to the reviews looking for words to affirm my desire for one tiny, minute reason this girl was forced to suffer continually and ruthlessly. I didn't need a happy ending where all loose ends are tied into neat bows--I can't stomach that. Instead I found the warnings were all there, clear as day, it was I who didn't comprehend. What made me think that I would not succumb to the same? I don't know why I thought I would be the exception but I believed I would find the hope, as surely it was there, but it was not.
I continued until I could no more.
I want to believe I will learn from my investment of time, emotion, and dedication to Jessica. Although at this time, I cannot for the life of me, figure out what the lesson was.

I am not one who takes to books that have a continuous theme of tragedy, and that is how I felt reading Jessica. It was exhausting to read. I kept waiting for something good to happen but only sadness, cruelty and unfairness were common in the book.

There were so many things wrong as well as right. Joe really irked me. He was introduced as this headstrong character whom dominated the household, everybody seemed to respect and fear him in a way. I really took a liking to joe, If not initially a bit of a cold shoulder when he first hit Jessica In the face, giving her a black eye. It took a few pages until it was confirmed that joe wasn't the bad guy in this book. I liked his and Jessica's relationship, I am a fan of breaking the toughest of hearts and I liked seeing joes vulnerable side when he spoke of Jessica appreciatively and stood up for her. A very low moment for me was when joe gave into Hester! I mean honestly we had heard about joe having lived a tough life and he couldn't say no to cold murder when his wife pleaded him and then the submissive he became when he was forced to outcast Jessica. That all seemed a bit low and annoying. Someone With that kind of personality doesn't wear into the cruelty of his own wife. But apparently he does... Or did. I discarded joe after that. For all the good he may have tried after he realised how much of a prick he was he waited a little too late to set his wife in place and died whilst doing so! Which I was glad and sad about because no way joe could get back up on the ranks again.

Jack was nearly one of my least favorite character. I LOVE a good romance, but there wasn't ANYTHING romantic about Jessica and jack. He cheated on her with her own sister, married her and then sat around whilst Jessica was in a mental asylum, and wrote letters about his worries. If he loved her a much as he claimed then he would have marched down to the hospital just as he had at the court house and seen Jessica face to face! Tried harder, fought harder to SEE HER, be with her! He makes me too angry to speak about him.

I truly wish we had seen more dept to meg it got a bit boring her being described as the walking, talking shadow of her mother. No sister is that cruel or deranged. I wish Hester would have died very early on so we could have seen meg grow into her own person and see how she may have treated Jessica without her EVIL mother breathing down her neck. I am sure there would be a heart deep down somewhere even for a small apology. Character development goes a long way...

The only character I truly liked was Jessica's lawyer, he may have been a drunk but he didn't have a bad intention in his body. I wish the had been more of a twist with Jessica's baby's fathers identity and at least one moment of true happiness for Jessica. The constant sadness and tragedy just gets depressive and tiring!

I do have to say though the WAY that it was written, the sadness, badness and tragedy was very effective and constructive as this was one of those books that made you BEG for a miracle! Regardless of all the wrongs, this book made you feel SOMETHING and if it makes me feel something then it is already counted to me as a worthwhile good book!

My gosh! I looooooved this book. A devastating story but told in the most beautiful way. I have read it twice now, and even though I knew the ending, I wasn’t prepared for the flood of emotions. It’s absolutely on my suggestion for must read for anyone. Can’t love it more

This is an example of a perfect book (for me).

The romance, the family relationships, the way the story deals with race relations, the examination and information it offers on Australia in this time period is all so perfect for me. This is powerful, engaging, emotional, and beautifully rendered. I have been rereading this since I first read it in high school and writing this review, I think I'm due for another.

This is the strongest and most real female character I have ever read. Modern books tend to fall into the trap of poorly writing a strong female character just for the sake of having that marketability. This is an actual strong female character, who is three-dimensional and down to earth.

Wow! Another amazing book by Courtenay. Can you believe he didn't start writing until he as 55?? Goes to show you, it's never to late to take the plunge!

I loved, The Power of One, and this book, set in Australia, I love as well. Crazy that it is based on a true story! And the Audible was INCREDIBLE!!!

It is not easy on the heart. Like the Power of One, this book is full of examples showing the very weak and wicked side of humanity. Hester is SO, SO evil!!! However, love conquers all, and heroes and underdogs are highlighted. Jessica being at the top. The writing and story is beautiful.

*Contains some "F" words

I was captivated throughout the the entire book. However, for me, the ending fell flat. To me, it wasn't a surprise that Jack was the father of Jessica's child. It was sad, however, that it ended with such a fizzle.

Jessica was a so much larger than life character and the ending did not do her justice. I so wanted part of the story line to include her mother and sister not getting away with taking Jessica's child from her. A better way would have been to have the child fall in love with the turkey lady from whom he was supposed to stay away,... Maybe that he looked to her for guidance and she could have influence on him that her mother and sister could not thwart.

Other than that, I enjoyed the book and will look for this author again!

A wonderful story and very moving but felt like it was two books in one: The horror perpetrated on Jessica by her ambitious mother and dreadful sister, and Mary Simpson's girls being taken away by a callous, racist government because they were Aborigine.

This is a very long book -- around 300 pages too long, to be honest, with lots of repetition and an over long description of the journey Jessica took with Billy. Also, if it was based on a true story, as appears to be the case, some historical notes at the end (in an afterword, perhaps) would have been helpful.

But if you've got time for a leisurely read, this one will certainly move you.