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For the Term of His Natural Life

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( 3,072 ratings, 216 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
For the Term of His Natural Life by Marcus Clarke is a gripping tale set in the harsh convict settlements of 19th-century Australia. The novel follows the unjustly convicted Rufus Dawes as he navigates the brutal and unforgiving penal system. It explores themes of injustice and survival amidst cruelty, offering a poignant look at human resilience and the quest for redemption.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in historical fiction that explores the grim realities of penal colonies in 19th-century Australia. It intricately details the themes of suffering, endurance, and the human spirit, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy a blend of adventure, drama, and richly depicted historical settings.

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Marcus Clarke's For The Term Of His Natural Life is an ambitious tale of tragedy, redemption, and the ugliness and resilience of man.

This Text Classics edition features a new introduction by Rohan Wilson, author of the Vogel-winning novel The Roving Party.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit, a young aristocrat is sent to pay his dues in Van Diemen's Land. As a criminal in this new colony, Richard Devine is forced to endure tremendous suffering and inhumanity, from the baseless cruelty of those in power to the harsh brutalities of an untamed country.

Yet, with enduring human spirit and unrelenting determination, Richard remains ever desperate to clear his name, no matter the trials that come his way.

For the Term of His Natural Life is a gripping tale of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

For the Term of His Natural Life by Marcus Clarke is lauded for its powerful portrayal of human suffering and resilience in a convict setting. It is considered a masterpiece, appreciated for its intense examination of life's darker aspects and the endurance of the human spirit amidst adversity. The narrative's tragic elements are highlighted as a testament to the author's skill in capturing the complexity of human emotion.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925355659

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2016

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Rohan Wilson

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 512

About the Author

Marcus Clarke was born in 1846 in Kensington, London. At age seventeen Clarke left England for Australia, where his uncle was a county court judge. Despite an early career in banking, Clarke had begun to write professionally by 1867, penning stories for the Australian Magazine and working as a theatre critic for the Melbourne Argus. Commissioned by the Australian Journal to write a serial about convict life, Clarke produced his masterwork, His Natural Life. Republished as a novel in 1874 under the new title For the Term of His Natural Life, Clarke's epic tale of crime and punishment was later distributed in Britain, America, Germany and many other countries.Marcus Clarke died in Melbourne in 1881, aged thirty-five.

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  • For the Term of His Natural Life: Popular Penguins
    Scarcely out of print since the early 1870s, For the Term of His Natural Life has provided successive generations with a vivid account of a brutal phase of colonial life. The main focus of this great convict novel is the complex interaction between those in power and those who suffer, made meaningful because of its hero's struggle against his wrongful...
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    First published in 1874, For the Term of His Natural Life is a powerful tale of an Australian penal settlement. This compelling story originally appeared in serial form in a Melbourne paper. The narrative follows Rufus Dawes, a young man transported for a murder which he did not commit. The harsh and inhumane treatment handed out to the convicts, some...
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