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For The Term Of His Natural Life (Illustrated)

For The Term Of His Natural Life (Illustrated)

For The Term Of His Natural Life (Illustrated)
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For The Term Of His Natural Life (Illustrated)

by Marcus Clarke

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
ISBN 10
1876095024
ISBN 13
9781876095024
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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About This Item

Hinkler, 2000. paperback. Acceptable. 7x4x1. Wear present.Discolouration present.Fold creasing present.Foxing.Scruff marks and small marks present on the front cover and back cover.Scruff mark present at the sides of pages.Small mark present on a few pages. Tearing present.Dent marks present on the front and back cover.Price sticker present on the front cover and remnant of sticker present on the back cover.

Synopsis

For the Term of His Natural Life, written by Marcus Clarke, was published in the Australian Journal between 1870 and 1872 (as His Natural Life), appearing as a novel in 1874. It is the best known novelisation of life as a convict in early Australian history. Described as a "ripping yarn", and at times relying on seemingly implausible coincidences, the story follows the fortunes of Rufus Dawes, a young man transported for a murder which he did not commit.

Reviews

On Jul 23 2016, CloggieDownunder said:
"We convicts have the advantage over you gentlemen. You are afraid of death; we pray for it. It is the best thing that can happen to us. Die! They were going to hang me once. I wish they had. My God, I wish they had!"

For The Term Of His Natural Life is the best-known novel by Australian author, Marcus Clarke. It was first published in 1874, although it began as a serialised novel titled His Natural Life, published in the Australian Journal. Text Publishing have produced a handsome volume under their Text Classics banner.

There are significant differences in the plot between the original (unabridged) edition and later editions of this novel; the first book has been reduced to a prologue; the text has been condensed into a much more readable form, and much of the (frankly, boring and often unimportant) detail has been omitted; and the ending is completely different. Thus, for example, in excess of 150 pages of book 2 of the original edition are reduced to a much more manageable 75 pages in this edition.

Clarke managed to pack a lot into his novel: perhaps as it began in serialised form, each episode needed some drama: a parental estrangement, a very rich will, a secret identity, a wrongful conviction, transport on a convict ship, a mutiny, another wrongful conviction, flogging, suicide attempts, multiple escape attempts (at least one involving cannibalism), another mutiny, abandonment on a deserted shore, the construction of a coracle, yet another wrongful conviction, many years of penal servitude, the claiming of an inheritance by an imposter, quite a few confessions and a shipwreck.

This novel has been described as the Australian Count of Monte Cristo and while it is considered an Australian Classic, as historical fiction, it is not really up to the standard of Dumas's writing. The most exciting chapters, by far, are those detailing the escape from Port of Arthur of convict, John Rex. It is filled with improbable coincidences, and while he draws on many real occurrences in Tasmania's history, Clarke's emphasis is on the cruelty of convict life. Rufus Dawes is one very unlucky man!

This book will appeal to those who enjoy Australian historical fiction written from the closer perspective of fifty years as opposed to almost one hundred and fifty. A map of the relevant parts would have been helpful, but Wikipedia serves equally, these days. Text Classics include an introduction by author, Rohan Wilson and an evocative cover by the talented WH Chong. A beautiful edition of an Aussie Classic.

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Details

Bookseller
Re-Read Ltd GB (GB)
Bookseller's Inventory #
E0203379
Title
For The Term Of His Natural Life (Illustrated)
Author
Marcus Clarke
Format/Binding
Paperback
Book Condition
Used - Acceptable
Quantity Available
1
ISBN 10
1876095024
ISBN 13
9781876095024
Publisher
Hinkler
Place of Publication
Australia
Date Published
2000
Size
7x4x1
X weight
10 oz

Terms of Sale

Re-Read Ltd

30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.

About the Seller

Re-Read Ltd

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2013
Doncaster, South Yorkshire

About Re-Read Ltd

Re-Read is a UK social enterprise - giving unloved books a new life. Our aim is to re-use, re-distribute or re-cycle books so that we reduce waste and make a difference to literacy, educational achievement or quality of life in our local area. In the last 8 years we have gifted over 410,000 used books to children living in and around Doncaster, South Yorkshire.For more information, please visit our website at http://www.reread.org.uk

Glossary

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