Downfall: Book I of the Helots' Tale
A powerful true story of crime, punishment, and survival in the age of Dickens.
What would you do if your death sentence was commuted—not to freedom, but to life on an island prison half a world away?
The Helots’ Tale, Downfall follows the extraordinary journey of Robert Bright and Mary Ann Goulding, two teenagers condemned in Victorian London who were transported as convicts, sailing for months, prisoners in leaky boats crossing the oceans to a fledgling Australia. Among the 160,000 men and women sent to the colonies, they must fight to endure brutal conditions, resist the crushing weight of a class-ridden empire, and cling to hope in a land where freedom is a dream amongst a daily nightmare.
From the despair of Newgate Prison and the looming shadow of the gallows, to riots in the streets, the horrors of body-snatchers, and a hellish voyage across storm-tossed seas, their story is one of injustice, resilience, and defiance. Their destination: Van Diemen’s Land—a remote island prison on the edge of the Empire.
This gripping historical novel draws on real people and true events to create a sweeping tale of suspense and survival. Meticulously researched and richly atmospheric, it will captivate readers who love the stories and atmosphere of Dickens, the history of Robert Hughes's 'The Fatal Shore' or immersive historical suspense and drama.
Step back into history. Witness a nation being forged—and two young lives struggling to survive it.
Reviews
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A well-researched and detailed history of the lives of convicts in Australia in the 1830’s which leaves you hoping for the next volume. There are many echoes of Dickens in the detail, language and well-researched background of this story, The Helots Tale. The author builds a complex introduction to a narrative that will be continued in a future book, building on the historical facts of two real characters, Robert Bright and Mary Ann Goulding. History buffs will relish the details of English social history as the story unfolds. The early chapters switch from one family in Shoreditch to the other in Cambridge and we follow the parallel stories of Robbie and Mary Ann as they grow up in poverty and hardship, leading to their petty crimes and subsequent conviction and transportation to Van Dieman’s Land, now Tasmania. Throughout the book are fascinating descriptions. The book ends with an appendix of historical details on which the book is based and a glossary of some of the terms used, giving weight and authenticity to this very satisfying history of Australia’s convict beginnings.
Susan Broidy - Reedsy Discovery review, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA -
The research invested in this book is evident. This coupled with the author’s irrefutable ability to bring characters and crucial occurrences to life with his wonderfully descriptive narrative, makes for a most immersive and engaging reading experience.
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Found myself transported back in time.
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I’m loving the story and just knowing how important this story is to my being here is quite powerful.
★★★★★ “I couldn’t put it down.”
★★★★★ “Fascinating and very well researched.”
★★★★★ “Echoes of Dickens in its detail, language, and depth.”