Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson, die unter einem Pseudonym schrieb, nimmt einen bedeutenden Platz in der australischen Literatur ein. Ihr Werk zeichnet sich durch unerbittliche Objektivität bei der Untersuchung zentraler Themen der australischen Gesellschaft aus, insbesondere des Einflusses von Kapitalismus und Goldfunden auf die Nationsbildung. Ihre Romane, oft im familiären Rahmen angesiedelt, verwenden einen stark symbolischen realistischen Stil, um komplexe gesellschaftliche Veränderungen einzufangen. Trotz anfänglich gemischter Reaktionen und Schwierigkeiten bei der Anerkennung ihrer weiblichen Autorschaft bleibt ihr Schreiben wesentlich für das Verständnis der australischen Geschichte und Identität.
Maurice Guest, ein junger Lehrer, zieht nach Leipzig, um Pianist zu werden. Dort trifft er die geheimnisvolle Louise Dufrayer, was seine Pläne durcheinanderbringt. Die Geschichte entfaltet sich zu einer tragischen Liebesgeschichte und einer Hommage an Leipzig um 1900. Die Neuübersetzung von Fabian Dellemann und Stefan Welz bringt diesen bedeutenden Roman erstmals vollständig ins Deutsche.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century European classical music, the novel follows Maurice Guest, an Australian pianist navigating the intense and competitive music scene in Leipzig, Germany. Through his interactions with fellow musicians and mentors, the story delves into the emotional conflicts between personal desires and professional ambitions. Themes of sacrifice, artistic ambition, and the pursuit of perfection are intricately woven throughout, highlighting the transformative power of music and the complexities of love and human relationships.
He had never got within measurable distance of what he called life, at all...deep down in him, he knew, was an enormous residue of vitality...It was like a buried treasure, jealously kept for the event of his one day catching up with life: not the bare scramble for a living that here went by that name, but Life with a capital L. Richard Mahony is a restless man. Ballarat, England, Melbourne, Europe, the bush: elsewhere is always better. Searching for a place, a meaning, a life, Mahony and his wife Mary journey from wealth to poverty, order to chaos, sanity to the asylum. The Fortunes of Richard Mahony is a towering novel.
The narrative follows Laura Tweedle Rambotham, a 12-year-old girl sent to a Melbourne boarding school, where she faces humiliation and disillusionment. As she navigates a harsh environment filled with arrogant peers and professors, her innocence is gradually destroyed. The story explores themes of betrayal and the loss of idealism, culminating in a pivotal moment when Laura cheats on an exam yet escapes punishment. Ultimately, her departure from school symbolizes her desire to escape the oppressive expectations placed upon her.
The narrative explores Richard Mahony's return to England after years in the Australian outback, where he seeks comfort and stability. Despite achieving his dreams, he faces prejudice from the wealthy elite, leading to his challenging decision to return to Australia. The novel delves into themes of mental illness and the sacrifices made by his wife to support their family amidst his decline. This poignant tale, part of a celebrated trilogy, offers a deep reflection on identity and belonging within the context of early 20th-century Australian society.
Set against the backdrop of Australia's gold mining boom, the story follows Richard Mahony, whose aspirations clash with the rugged realities of his environment. Initially a struggling storekeeper, he marries Polly Turnham, who encourages him to pursue a medical career. As Mahony's practice thrives, the narrative delves into themes of mental decline and familial responsibility, highlighting Polly's sacrifices. This novel, the first in a celebrated trilogy, offers a poignant exploration of personal ambition and the impact of societal expectations on mental health.
