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Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke
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For the Term of His Natural Life Hardcover – 1 January 2019

by Marcus Clarke (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 270 ratings
For the Term of His Natural Life, written by Marcus Clarke, is the best know novelisation of life as a convict in early Australian history, relating the epic odyssey of Rufus Dawes, a young man transported to an early penal settlement for a murder he did not commit. A powerful tale that captures the strength of the human spirit and its enduring belief for compassion to overcome adversity.
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  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    SHEPHERD MOON
  3. Publication date
    1 January 2019
  4. Dimensions
    2.5 x 13 x 19.5 cm
  5. ISBN-10
    0648509834
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0648509837
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Product description

About the Author

Marcus Andrew Clarke (24 April 1846 – 2 August 1881) was an Australian novelist, journalist, poet, editor, librarian and playwright.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ SHEPHERD MOON
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 January 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0648509834
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0648509837
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 420 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 2.5 x 13 x 19.5 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 270 ratings

About the author

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Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke

Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
270 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable, with one noting it's based on research. The story receives positive feedback for its moralistic nature, with one customer describing it as an incredible depiction of true sacrifice. Several customers report issues with syncing, mentioning that their Kindle devices froze during use.

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ReadabilityStory qualitySyncing
9 customers mention ‘Readability’9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful read, with one customer noting it's an amazing novel based on research, and another mentioning it's a must-read for every Australian.

"A wonderfull read!....." Read more

"...A great read." Read more

"...experiences that stretch credibility a smidgen - but still a worthwhile read for those interested in delving into Australia's murky past." Read more

"...Compelling reading and Marcus Clarke sums it up so well." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Story quality’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the story quality of the book, describing it as a moralistic tale, with one customer noting its incredible depiction of true sacrifice.

"I read this heart wrenching and believable story of life in a convict settlement whilst travelling in Tasmania...." Read more

"Very moralistic tale from the ghastly convict days of Australia...." Read more

"...The story may be great but this version does not work. This book is available free from gutenberg." Read more

"I'm reading the Term of His Natural Life Its an epic saga , I just hope that justice prevails , as where I'm at with my reading at 32 %..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Syncing’0 positive3 negative

Customers report issues with syncing the book, with some mentioning that their Kindle devices froze during use.

"Downloaded this and tried to open but my whole kindle just froze. The story may be great but this version does not work...." Read more

"As it has been pointed out already, this book freezes. I have purchased a cheap kindle version which works fine...." Read more

"This version kept crashing my kindle. Try another..." Read more

Top reviews from Australia

  • rhino
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfull read!.. I Have avoided reading ...
    Reviewed in Australia on 21 May 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderfull read!.. I Have avoided reading this book for some time, as I thought it would be just another early Australian convict (stuff the British up the Irish) type books, but what a mistake, after the first chapter I could not wait to get back to it.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Patricia
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
    Reviewed in Australia on 26 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I read this heart wrenching and believable story of life in a convict settlement whilst travelling in Tasmania. Visiting Macquarie Harbour & Port Arthur brought it all the more to life. A great read.
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  • BrenDon
    3.0 out of 5 stars Very moralistic tale from the ghastly convict days of Australia ...
    Reviewed in Australia on 11 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Very moralistic tale from the ghastly convict days of Australia. Full of synchronistic experiences that stretch credibility a smidgen - but still a worthwhile read for those interested in delving into Australia's murky past.
    One person found this helpful
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  • BARBARA M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read
    Reviewed in Australia on 25 March 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Love this story about historical times in Tasmania Australia. I bought a paperback while on a visit to Tassie.
    I found the hardcopy print too small to read comfortably, so much easier on kindle and being able to adjust the font size. Also like being able to select a word to look up it's meaning, can't do that on paper!
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  • Nicolette Parkinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Harsh Colonial Land - Terra Australis
    Reviewed in Australia on 23 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The brutality that built this Country (Australia)
    Just to survive the journey out by ship and the disgusting food (if you were lucky enough to get any).
    On arrival the sheer starkness of a God forsaken land. To bear the heat and the rains, the bush fires and the Natives.
    Compelling reading and Marcus Clarke sums it up so well.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • JudithD
    1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't Work
    Reviewed in Australia on 1 October 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Downloaded this and tried to open but my whole kindle just froze. The story may be great but this version does not work. This book is available free from gutenberg.
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  • Royce Burns
    4.0 out of 5 stars One of the classics
    Reviewed in Australia on 14 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Like all 19th century books a little contrived in the plot. A good classic for all that but like Australia in its convict system don't look for a happy ending.
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  • Zany74
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
    Reviewed in Australia on 20 October 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Classic read, good quality
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • xx
    3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed
    Reviewed in Canada on 7 November 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed the history lesson. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Australian history or life in the outback
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  • Mel Powell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hugely satisfying read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I read this years ago and was very pleased to find a kindle version as my old paperback disintegrated! Of the novel, I will say the story has lost none of it's power to draw me in and keep me reading. There are passages of descriptive prose that are just breathtaking. Yes, some of the plot devices are a little clunky but this is a nineteenth century novel; what do you expect? The human stories and depiction of the harsh realities of convict life make compulsive reading. It's a long novel but the tension is conveyed so well that at times I felt like I was racing through it. Also pleased to report that the kindle version doesn't seem to have any glaring typos or spelling mistakes and is well laid out. Would recommend to anyone who wants an e-version and anyone who hasn't read it yet. Should be in everyone's library whatever the format.
    Update Oct 2014 - the kindle version I downloaded does not appear to be available anymore and the currently available free kindle versions have really bad reviews. My copy is good. If you are thinking of purchasing but are concerned about the formatting, do persevere and find a good e- version, even if it means paying a few quid. There is more than one version available and I personally, think it's such a great read, it worth paying for and should be much more widely read. Sort it out Amazon.
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  • DF Bergstraße
    1.0 out of 5 stars Kindle stürzt ab
    Reviewed in Germany on 29 April 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Die ganzen Englisch-sprachigen Rezensionen für genau DIESE (kostenlose) Version stimmen: Kindle stürzt mehr oder weniger komplett ab. Dummerweise kann man dann auch nicht mehr das Benutzerhandbuch lesen, worin steht, dass man 20 Sekunden auf den Ein-Aus-Schalter zu drücken hat, um einen Totalreset zu machen ...
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  • gina
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 July 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is not a pleasant story, but it most certainly is compelling. I learned a lot about penal colonies too. The plot and the characters are great. The author explores human nature in a most realistic way. There is something that renders this book really unique. I suppose I really liked the values, such as honour and the force of human spirit, that are prominent in it. It is a thought provoking book, but that doen not get in the way of the plot and of the tragic crescendo that few authors manage to achieve.
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  • rtsuvpder
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 April 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Would have liked it more if I could have opened it. The download blocked my kindle. Waste of time.
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