To Brave Every Danger: Epic Life of Mary Bryant

by Judith Cook

Mary Bryant was a Cornish fisherman's daughter turned highway robber, a convict sentenced to death then transported to Australia where she escaped from the penal colony. When recaptured, she returned to London and was finally rescued from Newgate prison by James Boswell.

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia, Biography, History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Judith Cook was a lecturer in theatre at the University of Exeter. She wrote several mysteries based on the casebooks of Dr Simon Forman, an Elizabethan doctor and astrologer.

Reviews

[Martine Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as background research to my new novel about an escaped convict from New South Wales and like many readers, couldn't help but be amazed by the story of Mary Broad. This account is written in a rather homespun style but is no less enjoyable for that; the author makes some informed guesses about Mary’s early life in Cornwall before she was arrested for highway robbery, then describes her life in the hulks and the awful voyage out to Botany Bay. What happens then, and Mary’s part in the escape and her incredible courage and endurance, make for gripping reading. I also read The Girl from Botany Bayand I suppose this version has more interesting background information but is less flowing as a narrative. I also read Lesley Pearce’s Remember Me which is more romantic, heavily fictionalized and so less useful to me overall. But at the end of the day, Mary’s story as a true-life 18th century survivor is simply inspiring.

[Steve Toms · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging account of a true story written in a semi-fictional style, which brings history to life. Although a list of sources are provided at the end, footnotes would have assisted the reader in following up on specific points of interest.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very well documented and insightful about the UK/Australia of that time period but I felt like most of the time I was reading about the life and adventures of the men who were somehow connected to Mary but not about Mary herself.

[Kirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr interessant geschriebener historischer Einblick in das Leben der Mary Bryant und deren Verbannung nach Australien. Habe viel gelernt ueber diese Zeit und wie ungemein hart und grausam das Leben fuer Deportierte in Australien gewesen sein muss.

[Keryn Thiele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. A little hard to follow with so many names. About 1700’s in England and Mary Bryant and others who committed minor crimes and were harshly punished and sent to Australia. Such horrible treatment of the women and girls. Rapes. Left below in water, irons, vermin, a horrible existence. Then in Australia no food and still treated badly. People are evil. Women were regarded as nothing and had no rights. This is about her, and others, time from England to Australia, …and her escape and then jail time and what happens after that.

[Tweedledum · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extra- ordinary account of courage in the face of incredible odds.

[Sissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping novel with historical background