Publisher Description

Such Is Life details the splendidly farcical and tragic reminiscences of philosopher and rogue Tom Collins, and is widely recognised as a defining work of Australian literature, taking its title from what were supposedly the outlaw Ned Kelly's dying words. As Tom drives his team across the plains of the Riverina and Northern Victoria, he gets wildly entangled in the fates of others - like Rory O'Halloran, the two Alfs (Nosey and Warrigal), Mrs Beaudesart and Hungry Buckley of Baroona - recreating the humour, pathos and irony he encountered in his life in the bush.

Author Biography

Authors Bio, not available

Competing Titles

Various novels by Mark Twain

Excerpt from Book

Unemployed at last! Scientifically, such a contingency can never have befallen of itself. According to one theory of the Universe, the momentum of Original Impress has been tending toward this far-off, divine event ever since a scrap of fire-mist flew from the solar centre to form our planet. Not this event alone, of course; but every occurrence, past and present, from the fall of captured Troy to the fall of a captured insect. According to another theory, I hold an independent diploma as one of the architects of our Social System, with a commission to use my own judgment, and take my own risks, like any other unit of humanity. This theory, unlike the first, entails frequent hitches and cross-purposes; and to some malign operation of these I should owe my present holiday...

Description for Sales People

Classic of outback literature re-issued with a new introduction by David Malouf. Picaresque and irreverent diary entries chronicle these humorous and dramatic tales of the bush. Part of Text Publishing's Text Classics series showcasing Australian literature. David Malouf is well-known to British audiences thanks to a Booker nomination in 1993 and still has a high profile.

Details