Try free for 30 days

  • Tom Appleby, Convict Boy

  • By: Jackie French
  • Narrated by: William Zappa
  • Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (26 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Tom Appleby, Convict Boy cover art

Tom Appleby, Convict Boy

By: Jackie French
Narrated by: William Zappa
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

At the tender age of eight, chimney sweep Tom Appleby is convicted of stealing and sentenced to deportation to Botany Bay. As he sails out with the First Fleet, Tom sadly realises that he will never set foot on English ground again.

Luckily, not long after Tom’s arrival in the colony, the fair and kind Sergeant Stanley decides to take on Tom as a servant. Together, Tom, Sergeant Stanley and his son, Rob, build a house, set up an orchard and a vegetable garden for themselves - and thrive, unlike many others in the new colony.

Tom Appleby, Convict Boy is brilliant historical fiction. Jackie French tells of a colony that, despite its natural abundance, cannot offer what the colonists want - familiarity. While the people’s health is better than it ever was in England, their morale is low as they wait for news from home.

©2004 Jackie French (P)2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Critic Reviews

"A master storyteller." (Better Reading)

What listeners say about Tom Appleby, Convict Boy

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    17
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing reader

William Zappa did an amazing job with the colourful characters in this book. Was a delightful experience!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wished it was full book.

Narrator was v good.
Is there a full book rendition? That would be brilliant. History was made to come alive. My Thanks to the author

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Where are the First Nations people?

I have loved listening to this book, but I must confess that I'm a bit miffed. This abridged version is missing all of the First Nations people. All of the chapters about the illness are missing. I was a bit confused, I thought that I must have accidentally skipped some parts, but no, maybe my book didn't download properly, white-washing the story.
I suppose that I will need to sit down and read the actual book instead.
So disappointed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.