Meg Keneally – Fled (Literature Review)

Meg Keneally cements her place in Australian literature with her solo debut novel, Fled.

As the daughter of Australian literary stalwart Tom Keneally, she undoubtedly had an introduction to literature and writing most aspiring authors can only dream of. For the past few years, she has co-authored the Monsarrat series, hereby ensuring both those familiar with the publishing world, and readers alike become familiar with her name alongside that of her father’s. But with the recent release of her debut novel, Fled, comes the opportunity for Keneally to start her own journey and create her own path into the hearts of readers across Australia.

Fled is based on the story of highway woman and convict Mary Bryant (nee Broad), whose poor upbringing forced her into a life of crime which would eventually earn her a trip to Australia, as one of the prisoners destined to help the First Fleet build colonies in Australia.

The story is that of fictional character, Jenny Trelawney. For all intents and purposes, in this story, she is Mary Bryant. Her life follows that of Mary’s, from her unfortunate start in England, to her harrowing journey to Australia and the numerous escape attempts of which she was a part.

I first became aware of Mary Bryant’s story when watching the 2005 TV adaptation starring Romola Garai, Sam Neill and Jack Davenport. And having recently read Gerald and Loretta Hausman’s Escape from Botany Bay: The True Story of Mary Bryant, it was pretty much guaranteed that I would enjoy Fled.

Meg Keneally’s novel is not only as thoroughly researched and historically correct as can be, it’s rich and vibrant, laced with characters and experiences that are authentic, yet so well-weaved into Jenny’s tale that it’s hard to spot the fiction from the truth. At no time do we get bombarded with unnecessary facts.

Keneally’s writing style is the epitome of the adage that writers should “show and not tell”, and the story (and readers, for that matter) are all the better for it. Even though the novel comes in at almost 400 pages and quite involved at times, I could not put it down, entranced by the world Keneally has so deftly created.

Fled is a debut novel like no other. Brimming with feisty characters who will earn a place in your heart, and a tale of survival that will keep you on the edge of your seat, it will stay with you long after the final page.

Fled is out now through Echo Publishing/Allen & Unwin.