Discover books similar to "True History of the Kelly Gang"
Peter Carey
True History of the Kelly Gang
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"True History of the Kelly Gang" by Peter Carey is a captivating and imaginative retelling of the life of the infamous Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly. The novel is written as a series of letters penned by Kelly himself, providing an intimate and raw account of his experiences growing up in poverty, his encounters with the law, and his transformation into a notorious outlaw. Carey's vivid and evocative language immerses the reader in the harsh and unforgiving landscape of colonial Australia, bringing to life the struggles and injustices faced by the Irish immigrant community. The novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power, as Kelly grapples with his own sense of self and his place in a society that seems determined to destroy him. At its heart, "True History of the Kelly Gang" is a powerful exploration of the mythologizing of outlaws and the blurred lines between hero and villain. Carey's Kelly is a complex and compelling character, both sympathetic and frightening, and the novel raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of heroism and the role of the individual in the face of systemic oppression. Winner of the Booker Prize in 2001, "True History of the Kelly Gang" is a masterful work of historical fiction that challenges and engages the reader from beginning to end. Carey's vivid and imaginative retelling of Kelly's story is a must-read for anyone interested in Australian history, the literature of outlaws, or simply a gripping and thought-provoking novel.
List of books similar to "True History of the Kelly Gang":
Kate Grenville
The Secret River
Like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', this book explores the experiences of convicts in Australia. However, instead of focusing on a famous outlaw, 'The Secret River' tells the story of a ordinary man and his family as they try to make a new life in a harsh and unfamiliar land.
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Thomas Savage
The Power of the Dog
Also set in the late 19th century like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', 'The Power of the Dog' is a psychological western that explores the tensions and power dynamics between two brothers and their families on a ranch in Montana.
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Dennis Lehane
The Given Day
Like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', 'The Given Day' is a novel that explores the political and social upheaval of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The novel follows an Irish immigrant and a police officer in Boston as they navigate the city's corrupt political machine, labor strikes, and racial tensions.
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Cormac McCarthy
The Road
Like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', 'The Road' is a novel that explores the themes of survival, family, and the legacy of violence. The novel tells the story of a father and son who journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape, searching for safety and hope in a world that has been destroyed by an unnamed cataclysmic event.
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Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible
Like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', 'The Poisonwood Bible' is a novel that explores the impact of colonialism and the clash of cultures. The novel tells the story of an evangelical Baptist minister who takes his wife and four daughters on a mission trip to the Belgian Congo in 1959, and the consequences of their presence in a country on the brink of revolution.
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Lawrence Hill
The Book of Negroes
Like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', 'The Book of Negroes' is a novel that explores the experiences of marginalized characters in a rapidly changing world. The novel tells the story of Aminata Diallo, a West African woman who is kidnapped and sold into slavery, and her journey to freedom and self-determination.
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Philipp Meyer
The Son
Like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', 'The Son' is a novel that explores the themes of violence, legacy, and the American frontier. The novel tells the story of the McCullough family, spanning generations from the Texas Revolution to the 20th century, and their role in the shaping of the American West.
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Colson Whitehead
The Underground Railroad
Like 'True History of the Kelly Gang', 'The Underground Railroad' is a novel that explores the themes of slavery, freedom, and the human spirit. The novel tells the story of Cora, a slave who escapes from a plantation in Georgia and embarks on a perilous journey north, following the Underground Railroad, a secret network of tracks and tunnels.
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