A Fortunate Life

[fleabo]

I have just finished Albert Facey's 'A fortunate life' for the second time having read it 15 years ago. It is a ripper of a read and I found it a real page-turner. I daresay his life was not unusual for his time but I am glad that he shared his stories before he shuffled off his mortal coil.

 

I now need to have another go at Alexis Wright's Carpentaria...did not finish on the first attempt.

 

Any other recommendations?:wubclub:

[Guest sh7t man no way]

her in doors is reading bible of the dead by tom knox mate--its a bit gruesome in parts,basically its a 2000 year old mystery/an ancient secret/and worldwide killings--im not much of a reader these days--the closest i get to a novel is to reading one of saving the lemmings threads:wink:

[olly]

Hi Fleabo,

Some books just stand the test of time don't they. Good reading. I have just been given two books by John Laws which are a collection of stories/anecdotes from Australia's history. They contain interesting facts about some of the more well known people in our history - presenting the unknown facts about their lives which weren't well publicised, and some interesting twists as well. The stories are so short they can be 15 minute 'before bed reading'. The first one is called "There's always more to the story" and the second one is called "It doesn't end there". Lots of interesting reading for Aussies and Brits.

[fleabo]

her in doors is reading bible of the dead by tom knox mate--its a bit gruesome in parts,basically its a 2000 year old mystery/an ancient secret/and worldwide killings--im not much of a reader these days--the closest i get to a novel is to reading one of saving the lemmings threads:wink:

 

I will have a look out for that one.

 

Whenever I see a new thread from The Lemming, I go and make myself a cup of tea to sustain me. :notworthy:

[Guest guest37336]

her in doors is reading bible of the dead by tom knox mate--its a bit gruesome in parts,basically its a 2000 year old mystery/an ancient secret/and worldwide killings--im not much of a reader these days--the closest i get to a novel is to reading one of saving the lemmings threads:wink:

 

:cry::cry::mad::biglaugh:

 

Just wait till I have finished my OU course on Creative Writing mate.:shocked::no:

[fleabo]

:cry::cry::mad::biglaugh:

 

Just wait till I have finished my OU course on Creative Writing mate.:shocked::no:

 

Just off to boil the kettle mate...hang on!:wubclub:

[Guest guest37336]

I will have a look out for that one.

 

Whenever I see a new thread from The Lemming, I go and make myself a cup of tea to sustain me. :notworthy:

:biglaugh::biglaugh:.

 

As I told Alan Flea, I'm only just getting started, after my OU course on Creative Writing they'll be no stopping me.

 

Unless of course you would like to borrow my good ladies gun and put me and everyone else out of the misery that is the loooonnnnnggggggg post.:idea::biglaugh:

 

I wouldn't hold it against you my friend, it would indeed be a salvation in many respects.:shocked::goofy:

 

Cheers Tone.:wubclub:

[fleabo]

Thanks Olly.

 

They've got the Lawsie book at the local library - so will grab it tomorrow. I am sure he has some interesting things to say. It is good to have a book that you can duck in and out of when time allows.

 

Hi Fleabo,

Some books just stand the test of time don't they. Good reading. I have just been given two books by John Laws which are a collection of stories/anecdotes from Australia's history. They contain interesting facts about some of the more well known people in our history - presenting the unknown facts about their lives which weren't well publicised, and some interesting twists as well. The stories are so short they can be 15 minute 'before bed reading'. The first one is called "There's always more to the story" and the second one is called "It doesn't end there". Lots of interesting reading for Aussies and Brits.

[Guest guest37336]

Thanks Olly.

 

They've got the Lawsie book at the local library - so will grab it tomorrow. I am sure he has some interesting things to say. It is good to have a book that you can duck in and out of when time allows.

 

That's my biggest failing Flea. I used to be able to pick up a book and read from beginning to end with no problem. But with much more to do now I often find 'life' in many respects takes away this pleasure.

 

It would be good to read a book as you say that you can duck in and out of. Never been one for short stories, (as you can tell,:biglaugh:) but will seriously consider this as a path in future,:yes:

 

Cheers Tone.

[MARYROSE02]

I looked thru what passes for my library and the only Aussie book I have is 'Joe Wilson's Mates' by Henry Lawson.

 

'But I think that the happiest time in a man's life is when he's courting a girl, and finds out for sure that she loves him, and hasn't a thought for anyone else. Make the most of your courting days, you young chaps, and keep them clean, for they're about the only days when there's a chance of poetry and beauty coming into this life. Make the best of them, and you'll never regret it the longest day you live. They're the days that the wife will look back to, anyway, in the brightest of times as well as in the blackest; and there shouldn't be anything in those days that might hurt her when she looks back. Make the most of your courting days, you young chaps, for they will never come again.'

 

From Joe Wilson's Courtship.

[olly]

I might jump in again and say that that John Laws books are similar in tone to 'A short history of nearly everything' by Bill Bryson, which is another book you can read one chapter of and put down until the next time - it also gives a fascinating insight into some of the things we know of today but might not know the history of, or connections to, all kinds of things. Much better reading than my health and safety books, that's for sure, LOL

[fleabo]

Hi Fleabo,

Some books just stand the test of time don't they. Good reading. I have just been given two books by John Laws which are a collection of stories/anecdotes from Australia's history. They contain interesting facts about some of the more well known people in our history - presenting the unknown facts about their lives which weren't well publicised, and some interesting twists as well. The stories are so short they can be 15 minute 'before bed reading'. The first one is called "There's always more to the story" and the second one is called "It doesn't end there". Lots of interesting reading for Aussies and Brits.

 

Thanks Olly - enjoyed 'There's always more....'

 

I especially enjoyed the yarn "Three strikes twice" which was the one about James Hardy Vaux - the chap that was transported to Australia as a convict no less than 3 times in his life. For some reason I kept thinking of Lemming when I was reading it :notworthy: No offence meant. :wubclub: I think it was more to do with the number of times he had been to Australia than to do with the 'criminal' aspect. (The first time he was transported was because he stole a handkerchief for goodness sake!).

 

A good read.

[kernow43]

I have just finished Albert Facey's 'A fortunate life' for the second time having read it 15 years ago. It is a ripper of a read and I found it a real page-turner. I daresay his life was not unusual for his time but I am glad that he shared his stories before he shuffled off his mortal coil.

 

I now need to have another go at Alexis Wright's Carpentaria...did not finish on the first attempt.

 

Any other recommendations?:wubclub:

 

I have read it several times, in fact we lived only a few doors from Albert Facey's house in Maidstone when we came here in 1970

I download the film version from The Box, that was made in 1985 on British TV. it is in 4 parts and goes for nearly 6 hours. Part 1 is from 1895-1905.

Well worth watching!

[olly]

Thanks Olly - enjoyed 'There's always more....'

 

I especially enjoyed the yarn "Three strikes twice" which was the one about James Hardy Vaux - the chap that was transported to Australia as a convict no less than 3 times in his life. For some reason I kept thinking of Lemming when I was reading it :notworthy: No offence meant. :wubclub: I think it was more to do with the number of times he had been to Australia than to do with the 'criminal' aspect. (The first time he was transported was because he stole a handkerchief for goodness sake!).

 

A good read.

 

Agree, a few smiles came from that book for me, the other one is good too, just reading it now.

 

Lemming, LOL sure he would have made a great free settler actually, would be the sort of guy who would muck in and build a country I'm sure.

[Bobj]

:cry::cry::mad::biglaugh:

 

Just wait till I have finished my OU course on Creative Writing mate.:shocked::no:

 

Then you'll create

 

 

 

 

 

 

And how!

 

Forgot you're a mod...

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[MARYROSE02]

Just remembered the name of a contemporary Aussie author that my brothers and me all like who sets his books around Sydney.

 

Les Norton is the main protagonist in a series of fiction books written by Australian author Robert G. Barrett.

A likeable and laconic Aussie battler, Norton first appears in You Wouldn't Be Dead For Quids (1984) and is described as stockily built with the signature feature of red hair. He doesn't mind a fight, a punt or a root. He was born in Dirranbandi, and lived there until he was involved in a pub fight, when the local police officer told him to leave before investigators from Brisbane could arrive when he was identified as a person of interest in a subsequent murder investigation.

 

He moved to Sydney, and ended up living in Bondi, working as a bouncer in an illegal casino in Kings Cross. In later books it turns from an illegal casino to a bridge club, as the club's owner Price Galese has further trouble bribing Police and Government officials to ignore the casino's presence. Les played rugby league for Easts during his early days in Sydney.

 

His brother in his home state of Queensland owns a dog called "Grungle" who loves to fight as much as Les and his brother.

Les' career with Galese's illegal casino in Kings Cross provides many opportunities for training, fighting, porking, dancing, photography, reflection and the odd mystery solving. Les could be said to be extremely lucky with circumstance. He has buried more money and other items of value than most Lebanese jewellers.

 

In the later stories he has a house in Bondi which he shares with an advertising executive called Warren who loves to smoke pot and whose job takes him away from time to time.

Les likes to drink a cocktail called a "delicious", a mix of Jack Daniels and Coke.

He loves to exercise in the morning to wring the piss out of his body after a big night on the turps. There are also many mentions of the Hakoah (a Jewish club) where he gets a great feed.

Les refers to his penis as Mr. Wobbly (which is referred to in every story).

 

Les drives around in an old 1968 Ford Falcon utility in the early stories. In later stories he drives a late model Holden Commodore Berlina. The car belonged to fellow who had a bit of his brain shot out in the car. Les tolerates the smell which persists despite having the car regularly detailed.