Status Updates From A Fortunate Life

Has this ever happened to you? You're going through a really bad break-up but you have a good book to keep you company? You're feeling sad, but the book can take you out of that haze and appease the pit in your stomach? Even more praise for this book, not only a wonderful, important, informative story, but also a gift that distracts me from the pangs of lost love. I shall always have my books. Ouch, I made myself sad

Life is happening all around me. I've been seeing friends, family, people I love. I haven't been reading as much as I'd like. But dam it it still feels holy to lose myself in a book for hours. Bert concluded the cattle drive — which is such an interesting practice. He's going where there's a job. His will to live, survive, his strength is so touching. And he's a good boxer? Glad he's leaving the Kents. On to the next

What a pleasant turn of style this book took. A Western it's become, and even though I sensed it in the themes of working farms, it's now a full gritty Western adventure, with Bert roaming Australia's native lands with a gang of rough men. This book is everything. Butcher's Crossing prepared me for the 'Journey' chapters of AFL. Facey always with a kind, beautiful language, seeing good in every dire situation.

The book has hooked me in now. Bibbys were lovely. Hotel lady, too. Bert is lovable, everyone likes him, he's easy to like. Bill and May, and their peaceful Christmas. Leaving his Mother's house was the right decision — who charges rent from their own son!? Dingoes continue to fascinate and scare me. Gramophones serve as a blissful escape. If not books (at this point of his life al), then music. Bert's a great man.

I know the book is from another time entirely, but what's with the glorification of killing Kangaroos and Dingoes? I'm no expert on this, and apparently Dingoes were considered a pest by the Australian Government, but still... Sigh... That's what's bothering me, but I guess this will all tie in together when Albert enlists and fights in the big war. It's fine and interesting learning about how farming was done in the

Tough to digest the chapters about all the tree cutting, wood burning, and animal slaughtering. The pig chpt so far was the toughest to get through. Albert is still fascinating. Him saving Mrs. Phillips and burning his hands in doing so was so touching. Frank is a madman, but a likable one. The snake story is hilarious, the one where it's a hen after all, not the one where the woman actually dies. The adoption that d

Delicate writing, full of poetry, and the best kind, one that's clear, rooted in experience. We're still getting to know each other, this book and I, but I already respect it. I knew it had won me over even before I started reading it. A little boy, can you conceive it? Planning his own escape, thinking methodically and preemptively. Thank God for the Scottish family and their kindness. Grandma Carr weeps but is glad

Sadness settles in, brought by all the animal killing, tree chopping, and the enslavement of an 8 year-old. Old Albert and Charlie seem to be friends in the rough. Also, all the sheep and cows. I'm feeling many feelings already. I'm admiring this young boy who so stoically keeps on living. His poise & will are great. His responsibilities, endless. He was promised a pony & an easy job. How could they have let him go?

And so it begins, this long awaited book, which is on my '26 reading resolutions as highly anticipated. Helen from the yt channel 'Life Lessons from Books' sent me a thoughtful inscription that I transcribed on the flyleaf of my book, which came all the way from Australia. This will be a book full of wisdom, I can tell. Full of hardship, too. I'm feeling excited, I want to read it calmly though, learning as I go.