True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey

“The True History of the Kelly Gang” is a novel written by Australian author Peter Carey. It was first published in 2000 and went on to win the Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the English-speaking world.

The book is a fictionalized account of the life of Ned Kelly, a notorious Australian outlaw who became a folk hero in the late 19th century. The story is told through a series of letters written by Kelly to his daughter, which recount his experiences growing up in poverty, his early brushes with the law, and his eventual life as a bushranger.

Throughout the book, Carey explores themes of class struggle, identity, and the relationship between the individual and society. He also draws on historical documents and folklore to create a vivid and nuanced portrayal of Kelly and the world he inhabited.

“The True History of the Kelly Gang” has been widely praised for its literary merit and its exploration of Australian history and identity. It has been adapted into several different forms of media, including a stage play and a film adaptation directed by Justin Kurzel.