Alison's Conviction

A Point in Time collection

By: Thomas Keneally

Narrated by: Tamala Shelton

A young autistic woman finds her voice and a path toward justice in this uplifting short story about the power of family history by Thomas Keneally, award-winning author of Schindler’s List.

When Alison Strange receives a debt claim she can’t afford to pay from the Australian government’s unemployment office, she’s caught completely off-balance. As she wrestles with a slippery bureaucracy, her history-loving grandfather bolsters her resolve with the story of their ancestor John Strange, an English cobbler who was banished to Australia for his part in a political movement. Drawing inspiration from John’s life, Alison finds her own unique way to demand a future that’s fair for all.

Thomas Keneally’s Alison’s Conviction is part of A Point in Time, a transporting collection of stories about the pivotal moments, past and present, that change lives. Read or listen to each immersive story in a single sitting.

©2022 Thomas Keneally. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Alison's Conviction

This story recalls a different kind of conviction than I was expecting. An excellent story and performance.

Quick short story

A quickly read short story that carries a meaningful message. By the author of Schindler’s List.

Challenge overcome

Gentleness but strength and honor are shown by someone for whom life in general can be a challenge

A really good short story, well performed.

You’ll fall for Allison. Allison is autistic, but very smart. Despite the challenges her condition presents, she does everything she can to be independent and self reliant. Above all else, she is not a thief, and when a government agency charges her money she does not own, recognized that she doesn’t owe it but keep insisting she should just go ahead and pay it, she must find a way to overcome.

Loved this story! I

Heartwarming story

Alison pursues a remedy for a government wrong despite battling Tourette’s Syndrome. Her government had erroneously charged her for falsely taking disability payments. Government employees and officials would not accept, or even listen to her proof that the charge was wrong. “It came from a computer algorithm so it can’t be wrong.”

Alison proceeds to fight the charge.

Her efforts demonstrate fortitude and determination. I was disappointed that the story stopped short of reporting the results of her efforts.