Customer Reviews

Sara Dana

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved the book, it was extremely enspiring and showed the true strength of the character (Sara) and described the beauty that Australia was and still is with such perfection. It was breathtaking and I have already read it 5 times this year!!

I obtained a copy of Sara Dane when my college library was giving away older books for free. What a loss to the library's future patrons when they gave this copy away. Sara is absolutely inspiring and shows a strength of character that is truly felt, not just read. Definitely a must read.

This story set in the late 1700's early 1800's is the story of a poor, convict girl determined to escape a life of depravation and join the ranks of the colonial gentry. From the hold of a prison ship bound for Sydney, Sara is released to become a maid. Stripped of her rags, the now luminous Sara is coveted by a ships officer, Andrew Macleay, whom she soon marries, much to the disapproval of the colonial establishment. Sara's fiercely independent spirit and driving ambition are underrated, however, and she soon gains acceptance among the elite. But when tragedy strikes she is again ostracized and must fight a courageous battle for her freedom and status.

This is a very good read, if you ve never read one of Gaskins books this is a good one to start with. Ive ordered the DVD of Sara Dane... Hopefully it ll be as good as the book!

I enjoyed the strength of Sara's character as other reviewers mentioned. But the story is the point of view of European wealthy colonists to Australia. I found that viewpoint tiring. Money and status and clothes and power seemed to be what was important -- that's what all Sara's strength of character got her. Lots of snobbery and classism.

With her father dead and her mother long *disappeared* Sara Dane falls in love with Richard Barwell, the younger son of a minor baronet. Thing go awry and she soon runs afoul of the law is unfairly convicted of petty theft and transported via prison ship to New South Wales (Australia). While on board, Sara hits a bit of luck when one of the lady's maids dies and she's chosen for the position - and once cleaned up the beauteous Sara attracts the attention of all the men, including Andrew Maclay who is willing to give up his future to marry Sara and settle in the new colony.

Once wed, Sara is pardoned but the closely knit community continues to shun the former convict despite her and Andrew's growing success and fortune. Not one to sit at home doing needlepoint, Sara is actively involved in Andrew's business interests and the growing prosperity of the colony. The novel covers about a twenty year period in Sara's life as she struggles to keep her independence and freedom as well as her relationships with the four men who loved her but could never control her. Who will win her heart in the end - her first love Richard? The ambitious Andrew? The Irish rebel/convict Jeremy? Or the ever so smooth Frenchman Louis de Borget who would rather have his wife at home raising babies?

All in all a pretty entertaining read and I learned a lot about the early days of what would eventually become Australia. I found it a bit predictable at times (you could always tell when one of Sara's husbands was going to bite the dust...), and things really started to drag on a bit at the end, but still a worthwhile read - especially for those preferring a heroine with a bit more backbone and less helpless victim mentality. 3.5/5 stars.

SARA DANE...TRANSPORTED FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA IN CHAINS...HER BEAUTY COULD WIN HER FREEDOM, BUT LOVE IMPRISONED HER HEART.

While gentle trade winds filled the billowing white sails of the clipper ship, no breeze stirred the foul air below decks where proud, impetuous Sara Dane lay imprisoned. Her crime had been to love above her station; her sentence, to serve as an indentured servant on a distant dangerous continent. Yet even the rags she wore couldn't hide the rare pale gold of her beauty from the lust of desperate men...or from the adoring eyes of handsome ship's officer Andrew Maclay. His rich love promising ambition matched her own desire to found an empire of wealth and power in this new, growing land. But could his strong arms tame her wild nature...or keep her heart from beating fast at the sound of another man's name? Sara was a very strong willed woman who survived all of the adversity of her new country. Made me weep in places. Getting transported for the least crimes were crimes in and of themselves by the English peerage. She was put in Newgate for taking two coins that were given to her.
A SAGA OF ROMANCE AND REBELLION! ! !

Anyone who loves stories of Australia will love the series "THE AUSTRALIANS" It is a twelve(12) book series. Somewhat hard to find but worth the effort. By William Stuart Long
#1 The Exiles
#2 The Settlers
#3 The Traitors
#4 The Explorers
#5 The Adventurers
#6 The Colonists
#7 The Gold Seekers
#8 The Gallant
#9 The Empire Builders
#10 The Seafarers
#11 The Nationalists
#12 The Imperialists
The first book is the horrors of the convict ship on the way to
Botany Bay. This book reminds me so much of that one. All worth
looking for.

The story of Mary Reibey has become something of a legend in Australian history - it is the story of a woman, who, sentenced to transportation for what can have been no more than a child's prank, overcame the stigma of her conviction, and rose to a position of wealth and prominence among the citizens of early New South Wales. This novel is not her story, but is based on the assumption that what one woman can do, so may another. The broad outlines of the lives of mary Reibey and of Sara Dane are similar - the details differ sharply. This books is meant in no way to be a portrait of Mary Reibey, but simply a novel of her times.