The Last Convict by Anthony Hill

Format: Audiobook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blurb

Oxford, 1863.

Young Samuel Speed sets a barley stack alight in the hope it will earn him a bed in prison for the night.

Instead, he receives a sentence of seven years’ servitude in the penal colony of Fremantle, Western Australia.

Based on the life of the last known convict sent to Australia.

My review

The Last Convict is an Australian book, written by an Australian author.

I saw it in my local library and the premise immediately caught my attention.

As the title suggests, the book relates the story of the last surviving convict in Australia. It is based on a real person.

Little is known about Samuel Speed, but the author has used what is known and filled in the gaps to create this story. I think he’s done an excellent job.

The book isn’t fast-paced, but it is captivating in other ways.

The main character is relatable and I wanted to know what would happen to him.

My heart broke for him in so many ways.

Poor Sam and his mate were desperate. Homeless. Going from poorhouse to poorhouse looking for a dry bed and a meagre meal.

Their desperation led to a decision that changed their lives forever.

They became convicts and were sent to Australia.

Sam spent most of his life in some form of institution. His life was lonely and isolated.

Yet he came across as a lovely man who simply wanted peace of mind.

I found myself wondering what his life would have been like had he not made that first decision.

For the life of me, I cannot imagine it would have been much better.

Living in Australia, I find the history fascinating and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Recommended.