Description - Esther: The extraordinary true story of the First Fleet girl who became First Lady of the colony by Jessica North
Shortlisted for the Society of Women Writers NSW Book Awards
Esther only just escaped the hangman in London. Aged 16, she stood trial at the Old Bailey for stealing 24 yards of black silk lace. Her sentence was transportation to the other side of the world.
She embarked on the perilous journey on the First Fleet as a convict, with no idea of what lay ahead. Once on shore, she became the servant and, in time, the lover of the dashing young first lieutenant George Johnston. But life in the fledgling colony could be gruelling, with starvation looming and lashings for convicts who stepped out of line.
Esther was one of the first Jewish women to arrive in the new land. Through her we meet some of the key people who helped shape the nation. Her life is an extraordinary rags-to-riches story. As leader of the Rum Rebellion against Governor Bligh, George Johnston became Lieutenant-Governor of NSW, making Esther First Lady of the colony, a remarkable rise in society for a former convict.
'North skilfully weaves together one woman's fascinating saga with an equally fascinating history of the early colonial period of Australia. The resulting true story is sometimes as strange and thrilling as a fairytale.' - Lee Kofman, author of The Dangerous Bride
Buy Esther: The extraordinary true story of the First Fleet girl who became First Lady of the colony by Jessica North from Australia's Online Independent Bookstore, BooksDirect.
Other Editions - Esther: The extraordinary true story of the First Fleet girl who became First Lady of the colony by Jessica North
A Preview for this title is currently not available.
Available to order, ships in 7-10 business days
Short Stories in French for Beginners: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn French the fun way!
Mary Ann and Captain Piper: The remarkable true story of the convicts' daughter who became the toast of colonial Sydney
