A Fortunate Life
The Australian Classic
$33.88
- Paperback
432 pages
- Release Date
17 February 2026
Summary
The extraordinary journey of an ordinary man.
Born in 1894, and first sent to work at the age of eight, Facey lived the rough frontier life of a labourer, farmer and jackaroo. He survived Gallipoli, raised a family through the Depression, lost a son in the Second World War, and met his beloved Evelyn with whom he shared nearly 60 years of marriage.
Despite enduring unimaginable hardships, Facey always saw his life as a fortunate one. A true classic of Australian literature, Fa…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781760996987 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 176099698X |
| Author: | A.B. Facey |
| Publisher: | Fremantle Press |
| Imprint: | Fremantle Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 432 |
| Edition: | 4th |
| Release Date: | 17 February 2026 |
| Weight: | 486g |
| Dimensions: | 26mm x 140mm x 207mm |
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Critics Review
’[A] plain, unembellished, utterly sincere and un self-pitying account of the privations of childhood and youth.’ Courier Mail
‘This compelling story is not just a personal account but a reflection of an era, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Australia’s past.’ Australian Women’s Weekly
’[An] extremely powerful description of Gallipoli.’ Australian Book Review
‘This is the sort of book that makes me feel comfortable and warm. It’s a companion and friend, much, much more than a collection of words … The charm of the chapters lies in the sincerity of the author, a man that one finds so easy to admire through his writing alone.’ Queensland Reviewers Collective
‘His autobiography is full of tales of adventure and misadventure. His straight-forward style, ironic humour and muted exaggeration makes them entertaining and immensely readable.’ Western Ancestor Magazine
Banjo Award for Australian Literature (Winner 1981)
NSW State Literary Award (Winner 1981)
Douglas Stewart Prize (Winner 1981)
A.B. Facey
A.B. Facey grew up on the Kalgoorlie goldfields and in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. He had no formal education, but taught himself to read and write. He made the first notes on his life soon after World War I, and filled notebooks with his accounts of his experiences. Finally, on his children’s urging, he submitted the handwritten manuscript to Fremantle Press. He died in 1982, nine months after A Fortunate Life had been published to wide acclaim.
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