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True History of the Kelly Gang

By Peter Carey
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey offers a fictionalised account of the life of the notorious Australian bushranger Ned Kelly. The novel is presented as a series of letters written by Kelly to his daughter, detailing his turbulent life, family struggles, and criminal exploits under the oppression of colonial authorities. Through Kelly's perspective, the tale captures the complexity of his character and his enduring legacy as both a folk hero and an outlaw.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by tales of notorious outlaws and historical fiction. Set in colonial Australia, it uniquely presents a legendary figure's perspective, blending adventure, drama, and vivid storytelling. It's ideal for readers intrigued by exploration of myth, identity, and the struggle against authority.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Now a feature film based on the Booker Prize-winning novel.

As he flees the police, Ned Kelly scribbles his narrative in semi-literate but magically descriptive prose. To his pursuers, he is a thief and a murderer. To his own people, he's a hero for opposing the English.

Ned, who saw his first prison cell at fifteen, has become the most wanted man in the wild colony of Victoria, taking over towns and defying authority. Here is a classic outlaw tale, made alive by the skill of a great novelist. There are no sentences like these in all Australian literature, and yet they could only have grown from our soil.

True History of the Kelly Gang offers a vivid glimpse into a tumultuous period and a fascinating character, whose legend still resonates today.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey has been praised for its imaginative narrative and rich historical detail. Reviews highlight Carey's ability to capture the voice and context of 19th-century Australia, offering readers an immersive experience of this iconic tale. The novel's exploration of themes such as justice, family, and rebellion has resonated with many, making it both a compelling read and a critical success.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760897963

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 December 2019

Country: Australia

Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 37.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 464g

Pages: 496

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About the Author

Peter Carey was born in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, and now lives in New York. He is the author of fourteen novels (including one for children), two volumes of short stories, and two books on travel. Amongst other prizes, Carey has won the Booker Prize twice (for Oscar and Lucinda and True History of the Kelly Gang), the Commonwealth Writers' Prize twice (for Jack Maggs and True History of the Kelly Gang), and the Miles Franklin Literary Award three times (for Bliss, Oscar and Lucinda and Jack Maggs). He is an officer of the Order of Australia and a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Literature and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

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