That Bligh Girl

Sue Williams

‘Superb narration and engrossing drama.’ – Tom Keneally

Mary Bligh is no shrinking violet. After an horrific six-month sea voyage from Britain, she proves as strong-willed as her bloody-minded father, the newly appointed Governor William Bligh. The pair immediately scandalise Sydney with their personalities, his politics and her pantaloons.

When three hundred armed soldiers of the Rum Rebellion march on Government House to depose him, the governor is nowhere to be see. Instead, Mary stands defiantly at the gates, fighting them back with just her parasol.

Despite being bullied, belittled and betrayed, Mary remains steadfast, even when her desperate father double-crosses her yet again in his last-ditch attempt to cling onto power. But will Mary turn out to be her father’s daughter and deceive him in pursuit of her own dreams and ambitions?

Sue Williams returns to the untold stories of the women of colonial Sydney with another fascinating, meticulously researched historical novel.

Release: May-2023

ISBN: 9781761065880

RRP (AUD): $32.99

Pages: 400

Format: Paperback

Category: Historical Fiction

Sue Williams

Sue Williams is the best-selling author of the historical novel, Elizabeth & Elizabeth, also set in early colonial Australia, and is an award-winning journalist, travel writer and non-fiction author. She has developed a writing style that tells a story as evocatively as possible, with a keen eye for detail. Sue’s biographies include Under Her Skin: The life and work of Professor Fiona Wood; Mean Streets, Kind Heart: The Father Chris Riley story; Father Bob: The larrikin priest; The Last Showman: Fred Brophy; No Time For Fear: Paul de Gelder; Peter Ryan: The inside story; Death of a Doctor; and The Girl Who Climbed Everest. Other books are about travel, true crime and genetics, while she has also had a children’s book published in the US.

Allen & Unwin

Allen & Unwin is Australia’s leading independent publisher and is the 2020 Publisher of the Year, a title we’ve now held fourteen times. Our lists are unrivalled in scope and quality, our focus on original ideas and voices, and our acclaimed authors and titles amongst Australia’s best.