him back. Her Aboriginal friend, Mary's (who helped her during her pregnancy) half-caste children are taken by the authorities, and Jessica, with the help of Runche and Moishe, gets them back in a court case to make history. Upon return to her house one afternoon, Jessica finds her dog has been bitten by a snake. She goes off to find the snakes and while Jessica is successful in killing one, its mate bites Jessica before being bludgeoned to death with her rifle. Knowing that death is near, she goes back to her hut and is found dead by Mary. Mary also finds a letter Jessica wrote to Jack, but never sent advising him of being pregnant with his child. Publication history 1998, Australia, Viking Australia , Pub date 1 December 1998, hardcover 1999, Canada, , Pub date 1 January 1999, hardcover 2000, United Kingdom, Penguin Books , Pub date 27 July 2000, paperback Literary significance and reception The book was very well received, rated at Amazon as 4.2 out of 5.0 and at 3.92 out of 5.0 at GoodReads. The book won the APA Who Weekly Reader's Choice Award in both 1999 and 2000. Adaptations Jessica (2004/TV) – 196 Minutes References External links Author's Web page on the Book 1999 Australian novels Historical novels Novels by Bryce Courtenay