First published by The Bulletin in 1903, Joseph Furphy’s Such is life (issued under the pseudonym of Tom Collins), has become an Australian literary classic, if a somewhat inscrutable one.  Broadly constructed in the form of diary extracts, it captures with humour in the Australian vernacular characters from the Riverina bush, interspersed with philosophical reflections which make it a moral parable on human nature.  Furphy (1843-1912) had made his living as a bullock driver but was a deep admirer of the Bible and Shakespeare’s works, whose literary styles greatly influenced his own.

This second edition was issued in 1917, five years after Furphy’s death, for purchase ‘by subscription’ from Miss Kate Baker, Speciality Press, for a sum of five shillings, post free.  Baker (1861-1953) was a close friend of Furphy and his unofficial literary executor, and the only associate to champion his legacy in the first decades after his demise.  She purchased 825 unbound copies remaindered from the 1903 print run and reissued the text with a preface by Vance Palmer who foretold that it was to ‘become a classic for the next generation’. 

Although lampooned for her uncritical adulation of Furphy, Baker remained dedicated to his cause but was unable to raise sufficient donations in 1927 to erect a memorial in Shepparton (where he penned Such is life).  Her 1934 project to install a portrait plaque at Yarra Glen State School (proximate to the site of Furphy’s birth) was more successful, and this copy of the book has direct associations with the event.  It contains a handwritten dedication from Baker to the owner (Mrs A.K. Goode of Yarra Glen), an invitation to the unveiling of the Joseph Furphy Memorial Statue and associated news clippings kept by Mrs Goode.

This item is held in UNSW Canberra Special Collections. Make an appointment to view the original print resource using the Special Collections Make an Enquiry form.