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y separately published work icon Napoleon's Last Island single work   novel   historical fiction  
Issue Details: First known date: 2015... 2015 Napoleon's Last Island
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Whilst living in exile on St Helena, Napoleon exerted an extraordinary influence on young Betsy Balcombe. How did she get from Napoleon's side to the Australian bush?

'Betsy Balcombe as a young woman lived with her family on St Helena. They befriended, served and were ruined by their relationship with Napoleon. To redeem the family's fortunes William Balcombe, Betsy's father, betrays Napoleon and accepts a job as the colonial treasurer of NSW, bringing his family with him. William never recovers from the ups and downs of association with Napoleon. His family however flourish in Australia and remain renowned pastoralists in Victoria.

'Tom Keneally, with his gift for bringing historical stories to life, shares this remarkable friendship and the beginning of an Australian dynasty.' (Publication summary)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • North Sydney, North Sydney - Lane Cove area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: Random House Australia , 2015 .
      image of person or book cover 3225293959951902535.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 384p.
      Note/s:
      • Published : 2nd November 2015
      ISBN: 9780857984616
    • Milsons Point, North Sydney - Lane Cove area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: Random House Australia , 2016 .
      image of person or book cover 5392406920915519593.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 448p.
      Note/s:
      • Published 30 May 2016
      ISBN: 9780857984623
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Sceptre ,
      2016 .
      image of person or book cover 6608251725192007170.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: ix, 430p.
      Note/s:
      • Published: 19th May 2016
      ISBN: 9781473625334
    • New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      Washington Square Press ,
      2017 .
      image of person or book cover 4922741071811796913.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 423p.
      Note/s:
      • Published: 5th September 2017
      ISBN: 9781501128431

Other Formats

  • Also dyslexic edition
  • Also braille.
  • Sound recording.
  • Large print.

Works about this Work

The Interesting Mrs Abell Kiera Lindsey , 2016 single work criticism
— Appears in: History Australia , vol. 13 no. 1 2016; (p. 184-185)
'The friendship between that towering anti-hero of the nineteenth century – Napoleon Bonaparte – and an impertinent schoolgirl named Betsy Balcombe astonished the public then and continues to intrigue readers today. And for good reason – there was something about this pretty prankster that evoked surprisingly indulgent responses from a man who was otherwise notorious for his ruthless violence and wild mood swings.' (Introduction)
Review : Napoleon’s Last Island Jean Ferguson , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: Good Reading , March 2016;

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
The Emperor Makes a Friend John Vernon , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: The New York Times Book Review , 23 October 2016; (p. 27)

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
Island Man Kenneally Traces Napoleon's Final Fling Amanda Ellis , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 17 November 2015; (p. 6)

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
Boney and His Balcombe Girl Philip Dwyer , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14-15 November 2015; (p. 26-27) The Saturday Age , 14-15 November 2015; (p. 26)

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
Napoleon’s Last Island by Tom Keneally Review – Australia's Link to an Exiled Emperor Meredith Jaffé , 2015 single work
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 4 November 2015;

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
Exile Endured in Napoleon’s Esteemed Company Peter Pierce , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 7-8 November 2015; (p. 16-17)

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
Boney and His Balcombe Girl Philip Dwyer , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14-15 November 2015; (p. 26-27) The Saturday Age , 14-15 November 2015; (p. 26)

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
Island Man Kenneally Traces Napoleon's Final Fling Amanda Ellis , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The West Australian , 17 November 2015; (p. 6)

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
Review : Napoleon’s Last Island Jean Ferguson , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: Good Reading , March 2016;

— Review of Napoleon's Last Island Thomas Keneally , 2015 single work novel
The Interesting Mrs Abell Kiera Lindsey , 2016 single work criticism
— Appears in: History Australia , vol. 13 no. 1 2016; (p. 184-185)
'The friendship between that towering anti-hero of the nineteenth century – Napoleon Bonaparte – and an impertinent schoolgirl named Betsy Balcombe astonished the public then and continues to intrigue readers today. And for good reason – there was something about this pretty prankster that evoked surprisingly indulgent responses from a man who was otherwise notorious for his ruthless violence and wild mood swings.' (Introduction)
Last amended 11 Mar 2020 16:01:47
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