Such Is Life - Classic Text | Alexandria
A masterwork of Australian literature that defies conventional categorization, "Such Is Life" (1903) stands as both a philosophical treatise and a pioneering example of experimental fiction masquerading as autobiography. Written by Joseph Furphy under the pseudonym "Tom Collins," this complex narrative chronicles the adventures of a rural worker in the Riverina region of New South Wales during the 1880s, weaving together elements of bush mythology, social commentary, and metaphysical discourse.
The genesis of this remarkable work can be traced to Furphy's own experiences as a bullock driver in rural Australia, though its composition spanned nearly a decade of meticulous crafting between 1888 and 1897. Originally submitted to the "Bulletin" magazine under the title "Life Is So: Being Certain Extracts from the Diary of Tom Collins," the manuscript underwent significant revision before its publication by the Bulletin Publishing Company in 1903.
What distinguishes "Such Is Life" is its intricate narrative structure, which deliberately subverts linear storytelling through a series of interconnected episodes spanning seven days across several years. Furphy's work masterfully integrates sophisticated literary allusions, philosophical discussions, and vernacular Australian speech, while simultaneously challenging contemporary colonial attitudes and social hierarchies. The text's complexity is further enhanced by its unreliable narrator, Tom Collins, whose detailed observations are frequently undermined by his own misconceptions and prejudices.
The novel's influence on Australian literature cannot be overstated, though its initial reception was mixed due to its challenging structure and intellectual density. Modern scholars increasingly recognize it as a prescient work that anticipated many techniques of modernist literature, including stream-of-consciousness narrative and metafictional elements. Its exploration of Australian identity, class relations, and the nature of truth continues to resonate with contemporary readers and critics.
Today, "Such Is Life" remains a cornerstone of Australian literary studies, its enigmatic nature and layered meanings continuing to generate new interpretations and scholarly debate. The work's famous opening line, "Unemployed at last!" serves as a gateway into a narrative labyrinth that continues to challenge and reward readers more than a century after its publication.