There were parts in this story that did disturb me; like
pleasure in killing dingoes and kangaroos. Having said that, I have always
believed we should view history in accordance with the attitudes of the day so
I got through that but mention it as a word of warning. I hope if this book is
an option for school reading additional guidance is given by teachers
emphasising changing attitudes.
It is a detailed account of one man’s life in Australia in
the 1900s. It was not an easy life having to start a hard farm life as a young
boy, often being taken advantage of or abused. As a young man he volunteered for
army service in 1915 and served at Gallipoli.
He worked hard all his life and adored his wife and
children. They relationship is truly inspiring in this day of so many
fragmented families. Through all his hardships in life, including a failed farm
during the Depression he maintained a positive attitude accepting whatever work
he could find to support himself and, later, his family.
I must comment on the narrator. Roger
Cardwell does an amazing job not just a clear reading but with intonations that
reflect humour, disappointment, pain, joy and every other emotion Facey writes
about.
My rating 4*
Publisher's Summary
Born in 1894, Facey lived the rough frontier life of a sheep farmer,
survived the gore of Gallipoli, raised a family through the Depression and
spent 60 years with his beloved wife, Evelyn. Despite enduring hardships, we
can barely imagine today, Facey always saw his life as a "fortunate"
one. A true classic of Australian literature, his simply written autobiography
is an inspiration. It is the story of a life lived to the full - the
extraordinary journey of an ordinary man.
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