Peter Carey – True History of the Kelly Gang

True History of the Kelly Gang is a novel by Australian writer Peter Carey, based loosely on the history of the Kelly Gang. It was first published in Brisbane by the University of Queensland Press in 2000. It won the 2001 Booker Prize and the Commonwealth Writers Prize in the same year. Wikipedia

Originally published: 2000

Author: Peter Carey

Genres: Novel, crime fiction, historical novel, Biographical Fiction

Awards: Booker Prize

Cover artist: Kate Barry

Pages: 401pp

True History of the Kelly Gang is a novel by Peter Carey, published in 2000. It's a fictionalized account of the life of the infamous Australian outlaw, Ned Kelly, presented in the form of a first-person narrative. The novel is a reimagined "autobiography" of Kelly, written in a raw, visceral voice that blends the line between fact and fiction, offering a deeply personal perspective on his life and actions.

Set in 19th-century Australia during the era of British colonization, the story follows Ned Kelly from his early life as the son of Irish immigrants to his rise as a notorious figure in Australian history. The novel delves into Kelly’s relationships with his family, his experiences with injustice, and his role in resisting colonial oppression. It chronicles his transformation from a young man trying to survive in a harsh and discriminatory society to a legendary outlaw leading a violent rebellion.

One of the key elements of the novel is the way Carey uses the unreliable narrator device. Kelly’s narrative voice is marked by a rough, colloquial style, which makes it clear that this version of events is colored by his own perspective, biases, and emotions. This unreliable narration forces readers to question the truth of Kelly's version of his life and actions, which is part of the novel's critique of how history is written and remembered.

Through Kelly's story, Carey explores themes of justice, power, identity, and the tensions between colonizers and the colonized. The novel challenges traditional hero narratives by presenting Kelly not just as a criminal but as a complex figure shaped by the harsh social and political circumstances of his time. In this way, True History of the Kelly Gang offers a revisionist take on Australian history, asking questions about who gets to control the narrative and how the past is constructed.

The novel was highly praised for its inventive style and its ability to reframe a well-known historical figure. It won the Booker Prize in 2001 and is regarded as one of Peter Carey's finest works. Its portrayal of Ned Kelly as both a victim and a symbol of resistance resonates with broader themes of injustice, myth-making, and the fight for personal and collective freedom.

Are you interested in a specific part of the novel, or perhaps a deeper exploration of the themes or the character of Ned Kelly himself?