Our History: Bold Ben Hall

A compelling historical fiction adventure, set during the Australian gold rush when daring, dangerous, and bold bushrangers were both feared and legendary. Award-winning author Sophie Masson asks what makes a hero, or a villain?

Lily and her parents, who are travelling performers, are delayed in Canowindra, just as famous bushranger Ben Hall and his gang—who have pulled off the biggest gold robbery ever—arrive. The gang holds everyone in town hostage, but instead of threats, they hold a strange, giant three-day party, and Lily is enthralled. She writes a secret play, Bold Ben Hall, and dreams of sending it to a famous theatre company in Sydney or Melbourne.

Meanwhile, in Forbes, stable boy Sam works for Sir Frederick Pottinger, Ben Hall’s nemesis. Sam dreams of helping Sir Fred to catch Ben Hall.

When Lily and Sam meet, the two are soon at loggerheads about their heroes, determined to prove the other wrong... and to try any means to do so!

A gripping and unusual adventure, set against a background of the hectic, action-packed atmosphere of the booming Gold Rush towns. It also asks important questions: what is a hero, what is a villain? And how do we separate fact from fiction?