Humphrey Bower is the primary reason I started listening Bryce Courtenay's books. His narration is so good, that he makes the characters come to life. I finished this book two days ago, and it still haunts me. Poor Jessica, yet she was a selfless character who took care of those in need. Her mother, Hesther...how I loathed that woman! She put the "W" in wicked. A mother could really be that heartless, and greedy, and conniving? Apparently so, if one is to believe this story is based on a true story. I can't find out who the real character is, though I tried. I'm not one to write reviews that includes a summary of the story. It's already there, when you read what the book is about. What I will say is that I'm usually not a fan of books with court trials. In this book, I felt the trials weren't long suffering. Jessica gave Billy Simple what little dignity he had left. For the second trial, to read about the plight of the Aborigine children who were taken from their families is heart-breaking. I thought that the trial was well-written, and I found myself smiling at how foolish the government was made to look.
The ending is heart-breaking. I was so sad, and yet I was dying to know who the father of Jessica's child was. I wish that Jessica's mom and sister had a demise of sorts, but that was left hanging... I thoroughly enjoyed this story as I did White Thorn. This one, though, left me grieving for Jessica's sad life, and I needed to take a few days off before jumping into my next book. I'm a serial book reader, for sure. Well, an audible book listener, is more what I should say. Great story.

This was definitely a page-turner, but more because I was traumatised and angered at what happened to the main character Jessica, and kept turning the pages hoping to find a resolution, the happy ending. Regardless of which way that went, it was one of those books so full of description that I was initially put off, until I realised that I could actually visualise the entire landscape, village and people as if I had been there myself. And that's when you realise what a fabulous writer Bryce Courtenay is.

I read this for an IRL book club. It's too early for me to be able to put my thoughts properly into words. This book made me so angry as well as sad. I don't cry often when reading books, but this definitely had me emotional. It was heart breaking and I can't stop thinking about it. Definite book hangover.

I love this author so much! He has a way of creating a story that totally sucks you in so that you can't put it down. I loved this story. It is humbling to read of other peoples hardships and complete determination and makes me wonder what I would do or have done in similar life circumstances? I was crying at the end and to me that makes a really good story when you are so involved in the characters life that you feel like you have lost them.

Another complicated work by Bryce Courtenay. This is a fictional account of a wronged second daughter of a poor farmer in the early 1900s. This is an exposé of class and racial prejudice which flourished in Australia during that era. Money was power and influence and those who possessed it wielded it without conscience or pity for their many victims. Jessica was the second daughter of an honest farmer who was unable to stand his ground against his ambitious scheming wife.
This book serves the author well as a platform for his many social and political beliefs.
I enjoyed the book immensely but would not guarantee that it will lighten the mood of it’s readers.
Carinya

I put off reading this, even though it was recommended to me, because of the (in my opinion) naff cover. My gosh, I have to admit I was so very wrong to pre-judge it! This is an amazing read!
It is set in the Australian outback against the outbreak of World War I, and is fundamentally the story of Jessica’s life. Courtenay really makes the harsh environment come alive in his writing, with fantastic description and scene setting. There is so much character development in the opening chapters that it really drew me in. I quickly came to love Jessica, and became emotionally involved in her highs and lows in the novel. I am not ashamed to say I shed a few tears.
Courtenay appears to be a genius at developing complex relationships and difficult family dynamics, and putting them down on paper. The fact this novel is based on a true story makes it all the more touching and emotional.
Just a brilliant read. If you like drama, historical fiction, novels based on true life events, or a strong female protagonist this is the book for you! I couldn’t put it down

This book was an interesting look into Australia's forgotten prejudice as well as well as diving into the subject of family. The start of the book focuses on Jessica's family and shows the harm favouritism can cause on children and how this can grow into a strong form of neglect which can split a family through the middle. The theme of family, in my opinion, is the main theme of the story and it later transgresses into the oppression of the Aboriginal people of Australia. It is a good read and I found myself enjoying the characters and feeling emotional during their predicaments. It is also worth mentioning that this is a true story and that some of these events are truly heart wrenching. I would rate it 5 star if it did not so similarly parallel to Bryce Courtenay's other book the Power of One. This being said it is still very much worth the read as it will open a persons eyes to some overlooked times in Australia's history and it is endearing to see the world through the eyes through the very likeable protagonist, Jessica.

It is unthinkable to me that I never heard of Bryce Courtenay until I was enlightened by my partner who is from Aus. This is the third of his books I have read, each confirming with more certainty that he was a brilliant author and a genius in creating stories of deep emotional intensity and richness. My partner warned me that she cried reading this book and I was not surprised that it made me cry as well. This book is symbolic and beautiful. I am delighted that a book 'about' racism and 'about' Australia and 'about' rural hardship does not come across as literary or high-blown but is immediately engaging, enthralling and inspiring. I have previously held up other books or films with examples of a great villain, but I must now revise my impressions and say that this book has the sine qua non of villains. It also has a hero, and I would be fascinated to know how many women, especially women in Australia, read this book or have it suggested to them by family, friends, teachers, relatives etc.

The vivid feeling for the bush in this book is splendid. The power of the heat, the dark black soil, and the care one must take to fight to have any survival, let alone success, is all palpable. My partner tells me she feels Bryce can write a landscape as a character in a book. Before reading him I was worried this was a literary device and that the characters were flat; but I agree with her completely, and this is only more impressive when the environment is vying with characters who are so memorable and wonderful.

There is an incredible energy in these books and these people and again I must say I am disappointed I did not know of these earlier. However, I am lucky enough to know about them now. I would not recommend this to anyone younger than mid-teens, only because of the cruelty, and some of the themes and contents. But I would recommend this to late teenagers, and most definitely adults, of all stripes and all walks of life.

A very beautiful and emotional book that is based very loosely on Bertha Schippan. Bertha Schippan was a young woman from South Australia who was accused of murdering her younger sister Mary, which inspired the character of Jessica. When I first started this book I wasn't expecting to get past page 20 but Bryce Courtenay's writing captured my attention. Jessica was an incredibly resilient and powerful woman who unfortunately lived a painfully unjust and short life who was owed so many apologies. I feel like I'm writing about her as if she was real or someone I knew but that's how it felt while reading 'Jessica'. I adored the story telling of this novel and I'm very keen to read more of Bryce Courtenay, however, I need to take a mental health break before I do as this novel definitely took a toll on me.

This book was absolutely amazing; how Jessica's sister, mother, and some people she worked with were in doubt in her abilities to do things men were in right o do. And she also fell in love with a man that a sister was as to get married to from my mother. (wasn't planned or in agreement by me/Jake) but Jessica and Jake that man/Jake fell in love and Jessica got pregnant. She didn't tell Jake because that was his wish because he didn't want anyone to be pregnant whilst going to war. Then there were problems with the sister and mother. (they were absolutely rude)

This is a really sad story and motivational outline to bring up or down: your choice. Love the book. Though not so much the ending.

I am really surprised to see so many reviews here of Jessica (the character) being held up as such a positive role model, and Jessica (the book) being hailed as such a fantastic read. It is one of the weakest Bryce Courtenay books I have read. I think Courtenay made his characters too flat and one-dimensional, and in particular his portrayal of Meg and Hester veered into soap opera territory.

The final section of the book, which is largely taken up by a court case to do with the Aboriginal Protection Act, seems to have very little to do with the rest of the story. That said, I would have gladly read an entire book on that subject, especially if it were historically accurate (I'm doubtful that any cases ended the way Mary's did in the book).

On the whole, I was disappointed in this book. It seemed like Courtenay's central mystery - the origins of Jessica's child - got swept under the rug about halfway through, and only mentioned very briefly as an afterthought, with no space to ponder the consequences of this fact and the repercussions throughout the family's future. It just kind of petered out.

So disappointed with this book. I did not find a reason for keeping her secret? Who did she promise? There was never an explanation and I thought it made the whole story weak. Then the story line was abandoned and an after thought in the second half. I am very surprised at all of the positive reviews.