Summary of Such Is Life (1903) by Joseph Furphy:
Such Is Life is a semi-autobiographical novel written under the pseudonym Tom Collins, portraying the everyday life, philosophy, and humor of people in the Australian bush during the 1880s. The book takes the form of a diary kept by the narrator, Tom Collins, who works as an inspector of government stock. Over the course of his travels through the rural districts of New South Wales and Victoria, he records his encounters with bullock drivers, squatters, drovers, swagmen, and shearers.
The novel does not follow a single continuous plot. Instead, it unfolds through a series of loosely connected episodes and anecdotes, filled with humor, irony, and reflection. Collins meets various bush characters and listens to their tales — some comic, others tragic — which reveal the hardships and moral struggles of life in the outback.
Throughout his journeys, Collins often reflects on philosophical and moral questions, discussing topics like fate, justice, and human behavior. He uses a tone of gentle irony, frequently making fun of his own misunderstandings and of the social pretensions of others. The narrator’s unreliable perspective adds depth, as readers often see that he misinterprets events that have tragic undertones.
Among the episodes, there are stories of unrecognized love, mistaken identity, and loss, such as that of a woman who disguises herself as a man to survive in the bush, and tales of outlaws and wanderers whose fates end in mystery. These stories reveal the loneliness and harshness of bush life behind its apparent humor and camaraderie.
Despite its lack of a single plot, the novel vividly captures the Australian spirit of endurance, mateship, and irony. The characters face droughts, poverty, and isolation, yet they show resilience and humor in confronting life’s challenges.
The title phrase, “Such is life,” reflects the novel’s central message — a stoic acceptance of fate and the unpredictable nature of existence. It expresses the bushman’s attitude of facing hardship with courage, good humor, and calm resignation.
Joseph Furphy’s Such Is Life is both a realistic and philosophical exploration of Australian rural life. It combines vivid storytelling, humor, and deep reflection, offering a portrait of a society learning to define its identity amid the vast and testing landscape of the Australian bush.
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