The Order of Things

This is the autobiography of Joseph Furphy, the author of "Such Is Life".

After struggling unsuccessfully to make a living as a selector and then as a bullock-driver, Furphy spent over 20 years working as a mechanic in his brother's foundry in the Central Victorian town of Shepparton.

Here he was occupied during the day manufacturing farm machinery - including the water-carts which made the name Furphy known thoughout Australia - and at night writing his novel.

This work documents hitherto unknown aspects of Furphy's life, and recreates the circumstances of the period from his perspective.

It throws new light on the relationship between the author's life and his writing, and challenges some of the stock notions about Australia in the 1890s.

Furphy is seen in the context of late-19th century Australian life as a Christian Socialist, an ardent nationalist, a moralist and a dedicated writer.