Fortress

by Gabrielle Lord

Forcibly taken from their remote oneroom schoolhouse and held captive by three grotesquely masked kidnappers, Sally James and her young charges wage a fierce and violent battle for their lives

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Horror, Young Adult, Mystery, Australia, School

141 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Gabrielle Craig Lord is an Australian writer who has been described as Australia's first lady of crime.

She survived being ‘razed’ by the nuns, acquired an education despite this, and after working in many different areas, sales, teaching, brick-cleaning, peach-picking and packing, and in the Public Service as an employment officer, started writing seriously aged 30.

Her first two manuscripts ended up composting the tomatoes at her market garden – another attempt to make a living – but the third one FORTRESS was picked up internationally and made into a feature film starring Rachel Ward. A later novel WHIPPING BOY was made into a telemovie starring Sigrid Thornton. The film rights money, coinciding with her daughter leaving school, allowed Gabrielle to resign and instead of getting up at 4.30am and writing for several hours before heading off for work, she could write full-time and lead a more ‘normal’ writer’s life – hanging around with scientists and detectives, badgering forensic anthropologists (she studied some Anatomy at Sydney university) and doing work experience with a busy private security business and of course, writing.

Research is everything, she says. ‘Out of my contacts with experts (who are always far too modest to describe themselves that way) I get not only the fine-tuning necessary for today’s savvy readers, but also wonderful incidents and images that enrich and enlarge my books.’

Gabrielle’s interests are very simple. ‘After a misspent youth, I don’t have many brain cells left so I enjoy walking, meditation, singing, gardening, chatting with close friends, being with my family and grandkids, feeding my goldfish and keeping up to date with bodywork and enlightened psychotherapy.’

Gabrielle has now written fourteen adult novels and a novel for young adults. Once the 12 books of Conspiracy 365 are completed, this tally will be a tad bigger! Following this mammoth endeavour she already has plans for another three adult novels and two more YAs.
2013

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Jones and her whole class are kidnapped. The perpetrators wear masks. Father Christmas is especially cruel. Are they able to escape? What are the kidnappers up to? Who survives in the end? Nailbiting hide and seek, hit and run story that reminded me a bit on Lord of the Flies in the end. How do the children change and what's the morale here? This is a tale based on true events happening in the Australian outback in the early 1970s. The ending is quite hard but the narrator delivers in a way you can't put the book down. Outstanding, tight and intriguing to the last page. Highly recommended!

[Reevej · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformation of Innocent Victims to Strong Defenders

“When Sally Jones woke up on the eighth of May she knew at once that something unpleasant lay ahead of her.” The spine-chilling novel, Fortress composed by Gabrielle Lord portrays suspense as it becomes extremely intense and reasonably scary. This conceives Fortress to contain a range of ingredients in a captivating thriller. Similarly, who could resist the suspenseful plot, believable characters and the probing moral questions it asks? Fortress aims to satisfy all these features, causing the reader to not want to put the book on hold.

The novel is anticipated to appease early teens and consists the retelling of the Faraday School kidnapping. Fortress, based on a true event, magnificently creates imagery of the environment in which the teacher and students of a small country school in rural Australia are kidnapped and held for ransom. The novel has one of the most unique plot lines an author has put to paper and successfully stays with you for a long time after viewing the storyline.

In like manner, by skillfully selecting characters that presents a seemingly weak group built of a young woman and some children, these characters evoke a significant impact in the construction of the book. I can never recall a moment they gave up hope or just await their fate in the hands of the kidnappers. The text is represented as somewhat effective through the use of characters as they manage to overcome their fears and combine different recourses to transform themselves from innocent victims to strong defenders.

Through the novel composed by Gabrielle Lord, Fortress, the reader is often challenged to the messages: the right to defend yourself against harm or the responsibility to treat others humanely. Contrastingly, this issue is amplifying to be acknowledged as it makes us think about the equality of others as well as ourselves and develop knowledge about what is right and just. In addition, the reader is encouraged to realise how we have the ability to become a product of our environment and a choice of either accepting an individuals fate without attempting to change it, or you can fight with everything you are made of to result in an increased chance of coming out a victor.

In conclusion, from reading this particular novel, I strongly recommend the novel to be read by advanced primary school students as it offers the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the necessary aspects of survival and will ensure they are intrigued by the focus on many conventions. The strong messages within the pages also highlights a strong connection between the author and the reader whether it be emotionally, physically or mentally. This recommendation can also be associated to readers who enjoy horror and thriller as it incorporates a range of techniques and conventions to support both types of genres. For anyone considering to take on Fortress, I encourage you not to think twice as you are guaranteed not to regret it.

[Elfin · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book barely deserves 2 stars. it was said to be a suspenseful thriller book, but it was so so bad. the suspense was basically non existent, and I only felt scared for like one second when something really sudden happend. the book wasn't even like gruesome. it may be cause it was written so long ago but the literature was horrible like it's not hard to use quotation marks. a varied sentence length would also be nice. the ending is just bad and that guy didn't deserve everything that happend.

[Mikaela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean no offence to this book when I say I hated it. Ok, so really I do. It just really wasn't my cup of tea.

Fortress is a Suspense/Thriller novel that is based (loosely) around the events that occured during the Faraday kidnapping that occured in Australia.

This book just didn't do anything for me. Not only were there large parts that were totally pointless description (for example, "The Eagle turned and soared downward"... at a random place in the story when they were talking about a dead body. Not relevant. At all.) but by the end of the novel, most of the characters seiously needed therapy.

A Note to All English Teachers: PLEASE don't make the children in your classes read this for their English assignments. Not only will it traumatise them, but it will possibly bore them to death at the same time.

[Julia]

Another book I had to read in school in Australia in the 1990s and certain elements really stuck with me ever since, though that may be due to trauma - the events it describes were quite horrible (kidnapping of a teacher and her young students who end up fighting back against their kidnappers). Part of me wonders what the hell our teachers were thinking and part of me is massively grateful, because most of the books I had to read in school and college were awfully dull. This is one of the few I wouldn't mind re-reading some day.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thinking to give this book 5 stars, but the ending was a bit... stronger than I had anticipated. It was a very interesting read; it had some really good points. I recommend it overall.

[Un · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fortress is a fast-paced novel and one of the few books out there without romance involved at all. I was a bit unsure if I'd enjoy this story of a rural Sydney school teacher, Sally, who is kidnapped, along with her class of children, but I quickly warmed to it.

The reading was enjoyable and I didn't ever feel like I wanted to skim. There were some slower sections and older-styled writing, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it all the same. The gory details in some parts were refreshing and didn't take away from the story.

I don't have any major problems with this book, but I also wasn't blown away by the plot or writing. At worst, I felt a bit indifferent. Non-romantics and romance fanatics alike will enjoy Fortress for its rapid pace and gruesome tales. Three stars.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this movie (based on the book) on HBO when I was a kid. I enjoyed the movie very much and just recently picked up the book at a used book store. In this story, a young school teacher is kidnapped along with her students from an outback school house in Australia. The book follows their escape and eventual triumph as survivors and not victims. The story is based (very loosely) on a real life incident in Australia, but really takes a Lord of the Flies turn at the end. It's a brisk read, but I have to admit that I think the movie did a better job with character development.

[Brandon Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was drawn to read this after the friend made me watch the 80s movie which I actually greatly enjoyed. The book was just okay, at times WAY too redundant and WAY too similar of situations. Anything with the kids waiting in isolation was just a slog and the ensemble of the class didn’t stand out very much at times. I couldn’t really develop a strong visualization of one kid over the other. The kidnapper bits and the climax were definitely where the tension was placed but those moments had too much fluff in between for such a short book. I’d still say worth reading if you’re a fan of the film.

[Scott Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

My brother and I saw the Aussie film when we were kids, and it scarred us. When I realized it was based on a book, I had to read it. I was not disappointed. It's a short book, and while it may not be out of this world in style, I loved the writing. The author was able to surprise me at moments which is can be difficult to do in writing. It was artsy in some moments and gruesome in others. It feels like a kidnapping Lord of the Flies. I very much liked it.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had already seen the movie of Fortress so there weren’t a lot of surprises for me, but this was a good book. I would have liked a little more characterization for the teacher, however. At least it was a quick, snappy read, and the ending is great. Still, I think I prefer the movie because Rachel Ward was wonderful in it.

[Matthew Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I saw the 1986 HBO movie with Rachel Ward, and was utterly captivated. Now, to be honest, I like the movie more than the novel. But I have memories of sitting in my room as a 13-year-old, reading this by lamplight and drinking Tang and eating Oreo cookies, and I know it's weird, but I recommend the experience.

[Cole Goodheart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stumbled upon Fortress at an antique mall years ago, intrigued by its description as both a confronting thriller and a children’s book. Despite its Australian origins and its classification as a children's novel, I initially dismissed it, certain I wouldn’t read it. But six years after its 1980 release, it was adapted into a film starring Rachel Ward, which only increased my curiosity. The novel’s taut, suspenseful narrative made it a natural choice for the screen.

Fortress centers on Sally, a teacher at a one-room schoolhouse in a remote town. Her day begins with a series of introspective thoughts: she’s billeted with local families, wondering if she might be pregnant from a one-night stand, and determined to stick it out despite the challenges. Sally quickly becomes a character we can’t help but root for—smart, cynical, and slightly amusing, but also tough and deeply uncertain at times.

The plot kicks off as Sally arrives at the school to organize her class. The younger children are sent outside for reading while the older ones prepare the classroom for an impending inspection. Just as the mundane routine of school life is set, the tension creeps in—four masked men, armed with shotguns, burst into the school. What follows is a relentless, high-stakes struggle for survival.

The story is contained within a small, confined space—Sally and her twelve students are kidnapped, loaded into a van, and taken to a cave where they are held hostage. The narrative unfolds through Sally’s perspective, and we experience the events from her point of view, limited by what she knows. This creates a chilling atmosphere as we, along with the children, try to understand the motives of their captors and what they want. Sally must quickly adapt to the situation, taking charge of the group and figuring out how to protect the children while managing their fears and uncertainty. It’s a constant battle not just for her own survival but for the lives of her students.

The novel doesn’t shy away from brutality—there’s violence, murder, and the looming threat of rape. It’s a dark and unforgiving narrative, but what makes Fortress particularly compelling is that the children are not passive victims. Like in Lord of the Flies, the young characters demonstrate agency, with a fierce will to survive. Just when you think you’ve figured out where the story is headed, Lord throws in unexpected twists, keeping the reader on edge.

Fortress is a successful and enduring work. After being reprinted several times—most notably in 1988, after the film’s release—the book continues to resonate. It’s been labeled a "crossover" novel, one that can be appreciated by both adults and younger readers, much like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time or Mister Pip. There’s even debate over whether it should be classified as a children’s book at all. While it’s undeniably gripping and harrowing, its complexity and mature themes make it something much more than a simple tale for kids.

In the end, Fortress stands as a powerful, suspense-filled novel that transcends age, offering both a compelling story of survival and a poignant exploration of human resilience.

[Catsalive · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sally Jones woke up on the eighth of May she knew at once that something unpleasant lay ahead of her. Then she remembered. The Inspector was making an unexpected visit to her one-teacher school in Sunny Flat the next day and Sally wasn't ready. Her programme was unfinished and the classroom was a mess. And to add to all that, Sally feared that she may be pregnant. For the hundredth time she asked herself what she was doing in this dump three hundred miles from Sydney.

At school the morning began well enough. The children were cooperative and eager to help in the preparation for the Inspector. Without warning their peace was shattered by the appearance at the window of a grotesquely masked figure. It was the start of a 48-hour ordeal of terror for Sally Jones and her small band of pupils, kidnapped by a gang of sinister and sadistic men asking a cool one million dollars' ransom for their victims.

Sally's first concern was to protect and comfort the children, to share what little food and clothing they had, to keep them from breaking down altogether, but as their dreadful nightmare continued she determined to escape and then, together with the children, destroy.

Fortress, with its theme of the violence that lies beneath innocence, the beast that is in the heart of all of us, will inevitably invite comparison with William Golding's Lord of the Flies but Garielle Lord's novel is very much her own. Her taut and laconic story sustains suspense in classic thriller style until the final horrific climax.
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This is a children's book, but it's a spine-chilling tale, probably more so reading as an adult. I read it once when I was still in my teens & I don't think it had the impact it did on this reading. What stays with me most is the idea that while most of us stick to the conventions of society, we are none of us that far from savagery. Rated 9/10. http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very fast read that I just hated to put down once I started it.
It centres around a young female teacher, Sally Jones, who is almost at the end of her rural posting in a remote town in NSW, Australia and her small batch of students and the frightening event of their kidnapping by some young men wanting to hold them for ransom.
What I loved about this story was that a seemingly weak group made up of a young woman and some children never have a moment where they give up hope or just await their fate in the hands of the kidnappers. They manage to overcome their fears and use all of their combined resources to do a complete about turn from innocent, unarmed victims, to savage and strong defenders of their lives.
I've seen a few other reviews that compare this book a little to Lord of the Flies and I think that is definitely a great comparison to make. This is one of those stories that makes you realise how we have the ability to become a product of our environment and that you have the choice of either accepting your fate without attempting to change it, or you can fight with everything you are made of and try to come out the victor.

[Mender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently inspired by the Faraday kidnappings, at a rural school with only one teacher, the 20yr old female teacher and her children are kidnapped by men in masks and held for ransom.

Which is where the historical precedent becomes clear, because the teacher tries to calm down the kids by explaining they'll most likely be held for ransom when the kidnappers haven't expressed any such thing - maybe it's a sign of the times, but I sure didn't assume that you'd kidnap a bunch of schoolkids for ransom. Sex slave trade was my guess.

Nevertheless, fast reading book, and I liked the savagery that came out in them as they looked after themselves rather than being portrayed as pitiful women and children waiting for rescue.

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eleven when I saw the movie "Fortress." Since I've always been intrigued by Australia in general and hope to visit someday, I developed a liking for the movie. I was thirteen when I learned there was a book before there was a movie, so the five-star rating I give this novel may be based more on a nostalgia for the reading of my youth, and less on its actual merit. I didn't even realize it was based on real events. It is a story filled with suspense, and I loved the "never give up" attitude of the children and the teacher.

[Randall Longmire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabrielle Lord is a great Australian writer. Ok Lord may not be a literary genious of the likes of Carey or Winton but she has a way of grabbing the reader and shaking them around with her thrill a page plot in Fortress. Some unexpected twists and turns but great to see good triumph over evil and not be so cliche in the process.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this in early high school. It was one of the few books I actually enjoyed back then. Very intense and reasonably scary. The violent ending, I remember, stuck with many of us kids for a while. I'm only giving it three starts now because I can't exactly remember that much. But I plan on keeping an eye out for it, and then I can read it again and give it a better review.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Childhood is never innocent. It is only stupid grown-ups who pretend it is, who have forgotten the great anger of childhood, the rage against one's powerlessness and dependency; the secret childhood hope 'I wish you were dead', the teeth gritted in pure hatred at a mother or father who demonstrates its power over someone small and weak."

[Katharine (Ventureadlaxre) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this was a little advanced for primary school kids, and thought my teacher unprofessional for making us read it (and I seem to remember watching a movie too maybe? It may be my imagination though) and it's just... bad. Things happen for seemingly no reason.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome retelling of the Faraday School kidnapping, a true event, in which the teacher and students of a small country school in rural Australia are kidnapped and held for ransom. One of the most unique plot lines put to paper, it stays with you long after the story is over.

[Avery Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not what I expected, it wasn't as interesting as I thought. Everything went really slow and there weren't any interesting parts in it. I mean, there was, but they way they made it sound, made it sound boring.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a frightening thriller that has a Lord of the Flies like quality to it. Be very afraid of children. Don't underestimate anyone.

[Pauline Toohey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear!

Perhaps a storyline with lots of potential, but utterly failed. Grammar, character development, chronology of actions and believable emotions - eek.

Very disappointed.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

a stupid book for kids perhaps.

[Annette Manti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

RDC-M V 5 1981, 7/82. Okay.

[jenny !! · Rating 1 out of 5]

shat

[Nancy]

One part is similar to the human qualities seen in Lord of the flies