Each chapter sets out the different stages of their lives, not necessarily in sequence, but nonetheless makes perfect sense reading about their trials and tribulations, with the focus on Kate Kelly.

The author has written in a voice in which they would have spoken at the time, sometimes using their vocabulary of the day, which made it easy for me relate to the era quite comfortably, as it sets the scenes for the many varied and often violent times. The descriptions of some of the well and lesser known events, in the bush and country towns, helped create the images in my imagination as if I’d been watching a movie or tv series.

I couldn’t help feel sad and compassion for the whole family, for the way in which they were treated by the police of the day, especially the hopelessly corrupt members. It’s no wonder that Ned, his brother Dan and cohorts took matters into their own hands. They just went too far as I read about the gruesome Glenrowan siege.

Kate Kelly’s role in helping her brothers evade the law for so long as their decoy at such a young age was quite remarkable. She was an accomplished horse woman in her teens and according to the book, was sought after for her talents for breaking in horses, and as a performer after the death of Ned, even though she was bitterly heartbroken at the injustices he and the rest of the Kelly gang suffered. Known to the police, and the Kelly supporters, she was never charged with offences and became somewhat of a celebrity,  Then she suddenly disappeared from pubic life and ended up living in Forbes,, country NSW under another name and then married William a.k.a. "Bricky" Foster with who she had four children.

I can’t help thinking that the way in which her life ended would probably not have occurred if she had lived in modern times, Included in the book are quite a few photographs and reproductions of news articles from the newspapers of the day make interesting viewing and reading.

The story is quite compelling reading which I found quite difficult to put down.  Kate Kelly, The True Story of Ned Kelly’s Little Sister, would make ideal reading for anyone interested in Australian history or if you simply want to know more about her legendary story and her short life, filled with incidents and experiences both happy and tragic.

The author cites her sources from her extensive research and includes an a chapter on her thoughts.

Highly recommended.

The author, Rebecca Wilson grew up in Forbes NSW where Kate Kelly lived in the last years of her life. Rebecca has been hearing local stories about Kate all her life, and she has been researching, painting and writing Kate's tragic story for over a decade.

This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee

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