Jessica

'A superb storyteller ...it is impossible not to be impressed by Courtenay's talents' - "The Times". "Jessica" is based on the real life of a remarkable young Australian woman who defied the conventions of her time. She had a stubborn streak and the courage to act out her convictions...in spite of the consequences. This compelling, sweeping story is her personal fight for justice against enormous odds, and a testimony to the power of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. Jessica is based on the inspiring true story of a young girl's fight for justice against tremendous odds. A tomboy, Jessica is the pride of her father, as they work together on the struggling family farm. One quiet day, the peace of the bush is devastated by a terrible murder. Only Jessica is able to save the killer from the lynch mob but will justice prevail in the courts? Nine months later, a baby is born with Jessica determined to guard the secret of the father's identity. The rivalry of Jessica and her beautiful sister for the love of the same man will echo throughout their lives until finally the truth must be told. Set in the harsh Australian bush against the outbreak of World War I, this novel is heartbreaking in its innocence, and shattering in its brutality. 'A deserved bestseller, based on fact, a story told with heartbreaking honesty.' Australian Women's Weekly 'Courtenay draws on the social satire of Jane Austen and the dark forces of Thomas Hardy, and his tragic heroine parallels Antigone ' Herald Sun A tomboy, Jessica is the pride of her father, as they work together on the struggling family farm. One quiet day, the peace of the bush is devastated by a terrible murder. Only Jessica is able to save the killer from the lynch mob - but will justice prevail in the courts? Nine months later, a baby is born... with Jessica determined to guard the secret of the father's idenity. The rivalry of Jessica and her beautiful sister for the love of the same man will echo throughout their lives - until finally the truth must be told. -- back cover A superb storyteller... it is impossible not to be impressed by Courtenay's talents' - The Times JESSICA is based on the real life of a remarkable young Australian woman who defied the conventions of her time. She had a stubborn streak and the courage to act out her convictions... in spite of the consequences. This compelling, sweeping story is her personal fight for justice against enormous odds, and a testimony to the power of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. Based on the life of a young Australian woman who defied the conventions of her time. She had a stubborn streak and the courage to act out her convictions, in spite of the consequences. This story describes her personal fight for justice against odds, and a testimony to the power of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. The true life story (told in the form of a novel) of one young women's fight for justice against enormous odds. A tale of murder set in harsh Australian countryside against the outbreak of World War I, "Jessica" is a testimony to the power of human spirit to triumph over adversity This book is 'Signed'(Title page) not 'Inscribed'