True History of Kelly

GangPeter Carey, 2000

The New York based Australian writer PeterCarey's historical novel that got him the2001 Booker is the story of the legendaryNed Kelly, AustraIia's most famous outlawwho was executed as a murderer and ahorse thief in 1880. The story is revealed inthe form of letters written in a distinctive vertnacular to his baby daughter that he neversees. Born to very poor Irish immigrants, aconspiracy of circumstances makes him anoutlaw who is a murderer in the eyes of theBritish police and an endearing national heroto most Australians. This exhilarating andpanoramic work has the force of a classic TWestern and keeps alive the aura surround-ing the legend of Ned Kelly.