A Fortunate Life

By: A. B. Facey

Narrated by: Roger Cardwell

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Born in 1894, Facey lived the rough frontier life of a sheep farmer, survived the gore of Gallipoli, raised a family through the Depression and spent 60 years with his beloved wife, Evelyn. Despite enduring hardships we can barely imagine today, Facey always saw his life as a "fortunate" one. A true classic of Australian literature, his simply written autobiography is an inspiration. It is the story of a life lived to the full - the extraordinary journey of an ordinary man.

©1981 Albert B. Facey (P)2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Life, lived thoughtfully and energetically in 20th century Australia

Albert Facey chronicles his life. He is not “academically smart” but intelligent and keen to learn. His mother leaves him as a child but a wonderful grandmother loves and cares for him. Wherever he works, he becomes a leader. He often becomes “top man” because he can figure out solutions to dilemmas. Gallipoli through his eyes shows the disaster of warfare.
He and his wife work as a team and their children thrive. Their life is not “accidentally fortunate”. Rather it is consciously lived. His story gives me energy and inspiration.

A journey into the past

This story really highlights how soft and precious current generations have become. All thanks to everyday people like AB Facey who struggled, pioneered and fought for our country. This book was really well narrated, certainly believable that he was the character.

nice book about real people living good lives

I enjoyed this book a lot. I was quite inspired by its morals and lessons.

One of the loveliest books I've ever heard

I hated to see this book end. Roger has such a delightful reading voice, I felt as if the author himself were actually reading it. The story is of a remarkable life, told in down-to-earth language. It makes you feel as if you know the beautiful author, a man who wasn't born to be a writer, but who simply wants the world to know the story of his life. You feel the love he has for his family, friends, wife and children and you know you'd love him if you had ever met him. A beautiful story that I never wanted to end.

Perfect Book for Audio

This book is written very much the way you would sit and tell someone your life story of an evening. Therefore it makes a perfect book to have read aloud. What a life Bert Facey lead. Or maybe it is more that he lead a great many lives from a mother who abandoned, going to work at nine, a series of jobs in the bush, and then being at Gallipoli all before he was 21. Perhaps my favourite bit is that he met and married the girl who he received a care package from while in the army. How’s that for romantic? An Australian classic.

A hard but amazing life

It's a slow start, and it's tough but realistic view of country Australia at the start and during the 20th century. The part on world war 1 at Gallipoli is incredible and post the first war interesting.

It's a hard life he endured but a fortunate one and that given many take-away's in my own life and I have the upmost respect for what he endured and what is told.

Definitely read this.

Magnificent

The best book I have ever encountered
It was great and will listen to it again. Should be compulsory in all schools

A BRILLIANT life story, well written, I loved it.

If you could sum up A Fortunate Life in three words, what would they be?

Brilliant. I wouldn't have described all of his life as "fortunate" but A.B sure did. A fantastic story!!!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Fortunate Life?

Meeting his wife to be after receiving socks from her whilst at war.

What does Roger Cardwell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hard one to answer but he did a BRILLIANT job!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

No idea.

Any additional comments?

A must read!! Hard to stop listening!!!

Very interesting

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was ok.....it kept me going because of the many different jobs and people this young man met during his life.

If you’ve listened to books by A. B. Facey before, how does this one compare?

N/a