For the Term of His Natural Life

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Set in the harsh realities of 19th-century Australia, the story follows a young British aristocrat who, wrongfully accused of murder, becomes Rufus Dawes and faces life in brutal penal colonies. His journey begins aboard the Malabar, where he tries to warn the captain of a mutiny but is instead framed, leading to a life sentence. As he endures extreme isolation and torture at Macquarie Harbour and Port Arthur, Dawes plots an escape, highlighting themes of injustice and survival. This edition reintroduces a classic of Tasmanian Gothic literature for contemporary audiences.