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October 2007:

 True History of the Kelly Gang  by Peter Carey.

True History of the Kelly Gang
by Peter Carey.

First Published: 2000

Wikipedia entries:


True History of the Kelly Gang
by Peter Carey

There was general agreement that the book is not easy to read. To some the curious style of the narrative with its atrocious punctuation and curious usages (“adjectival”) conveying the voice of Kelly was a major barrier to sympathy and emotional involvement; others were immediately drawn in and involved in this poignant tale of a young boy dragged along by events beyond his control whilst still maintaining a moral perspective.

The image of Kelly looms large in Australian folklore and it would seem that the book represents a fairly accurate account of his life and times recalling desperate days and a very much hand-to-mouth existence.

NS October 2007

Awards:

AA Book Club
Four stars

  • 2001: Man Booker Prize
  • 2001: Commonwealth Writers Prize