Sanchona, A Family of Strangers

A Family of Strangers

Sanchona

Five Star, December 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 1594145431

In 1793, fifteen year old Kate O'Neal is convicted of stealing the silk hanky of her employer's wife. She is being transferred on the Merry Mersey to the Botany Bay penal colony for seven years. Kate knows the charge is unfair, but cannot do anything about this injustice, just like when her dad sold her to the Rustands in the first place. However, she has some satisfaction having castrated Lord Oliver, the son of her employer, for molesting her.

On the ship she begins to learn how to survive until she reaches her new home Australia. There, the frightened teen becomes mistress to Lieutenant Kendrick, but his beating almost kills her. She soon becomes Captain Spencer's mistress, who is much nicer and kinder to her; he even helps her open up a store. As she dreams of marrying him, he leaves his convict behind for England. Merchant Bert Rowley helps Kate stay afloat, even as they fall in love; but Kendrick is back claiming he owns her possessions, while Spencer offers to make her his mistress in England.

A FAMILY OF STRANGERS is a deep late eighteenth century historical tale starring a young woman trying to survive in a world in which she has no rights. Kate is terrific, as she adapts to her situations, starting with the vividly described ocean voyage and at the fully envisioned penal colony. In every case, she is forced to play by the rules of men who often lack scruples. Fans will root for this brave heroine, as she proves survival of the fittest, even when the rules are rigged for her to fail.