Dive into the captivating tale of Richard Mahony, a doctor from Edinburgh who ventures to Ballarat during the bustling gold rush of the 1850s. Initially starting as a shopkeeper, Richard eventually marries and returns to his true calling in medicine. His journey is intricately linked with the lives of his wifes siblings, painting a rich tapestry of family and ambition. Despite achieving success in his practice, Richard grapples with discontent in the colony, prompting a desire to return to Britain. A complex and restless character, Richards story is believed to mirror that of the authors own father. This compelling narrative is the first installment of the trilogy The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, yet it stands strong on its own. The subsequent books in the trilogy are still under copyright in the USA but can be accessed on Project Gutenberg Australia. (Summary by tabithat)

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