The Fortunes of Richard Mahony - by Henry Handel Richardson

A masterpiece of Australian literature, The Fortunes of Richard Mahony follows the rise and tragic decline of an Irish immigrant in colonial Australia. Richard Mahony, a restless and idealistic man, struggles with ambition, financial instability, and a deepening sense of alienation. His fortunes fluctuate through gold rush prosperity and ruin, while his mental health deteriorates. Henry Handel Richardson, drawing from her father’s life, crafts a richly detailed psychological and social portrait of 19th-century Australia.