Fortunate Life by A B Facey

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, Facey’s simply penned story offers a unique window onto the history of Australian life through the greater part of the twentieth century.

About the Author: 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.

31 Mar 2026
 

A Fortunate Life: The Australian Classic by A B Facey ISBN 9781760996987