Books
by Peter Carey
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A Long Way from Home |
To put their car dealership on the map Irene and Titch join the hair-raising, vividly described Redex Round-Australia Car Trials, taking neighbour Willie as navigator. Multi-layered sub-plots include Titch's outrageous father and, crucially, Willie's background. With the discovery of a child's skull by the roadside Carey deviates into an exploration of the white settlers' treatment of Aborigines, and Willie's history. Mostly a delightful romp, Carey evidently also felt the need to face a painful historic reality. Decidedly engaging.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 92 Spring 2019) |
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Jack Maggs |
Peter Carey won the Booker Prize twice. Why? The Observer found Maggs 'Bold, gripping and wonderful.' I found it none of these things. The Guardian states that it is not a pastiche. I would argue that it is. When you can read Dickens why read Carey? Carey's aim seems to be to examine events from a post-colonial perspective. This is not achieved by adding 'f***' or 'mate' to nineteenth century dialogue.
(Judith Peppitt - bwl 78 Autumn 2015) |
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My Life as a Fake |
Sarah Wode-Douglass is the editor of 'The Modern Review' and when a friend of her family, John Slater, invites her to follow him to Kuala Lumpur, she accepts only because she thinks he was once her mother's lover. But there she discovers the brilliant writing of a 'fake' writer. What is a fake writer? Read this clever book from a master writer to find out...
(Laurence Martin Euler - bwl 22 February 2004) |
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The Chemistry of Tears |
A conservator in a rather prim London museum, grieving for her lover, is given the job of restoring a mystery automaton. She becomes fascinated by the diaries of Henry, the endearing eccentric who travelled to Germany two centuries ago to commission the 'duck'. He and the fairy-tale like Germans he has to grapple with are all over-the-top but brilliantly imagined. The writing is rich but economical and both past and present stories equally absorbing. Wonderful!
(Victoria Grey-Edwards - bwl 65 Summer 2012) |
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The Chemistry of Tears |
Without being at all depressing, it somewhat quirkily examines personal grief and loss, it also comments on the nature and spirit of human hope, faith, fidelity and integrity. Set in contemporary London in a museum of horology, it expands in a typical Carey excursion, into other times and places, with enthralling attention to scientific, chronological and geographical detail. An intriguing and satisfying read.
Ed's Note: Also reviewed in bwl 65
(Margaret Teh - bwl 66 Autumn 2012) |
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The Tax Inspector |
Maria Markis, tax inspector, comes to audit the Catchprice Motors family firm just as it is collapsing thanks to Granny Frieda, the worm that turns, daughter Cathy who wants to be a singer and grandson Benny who believes he is an angel. The unexpected knock-on effects of their interaction left me breathless....This decidedly weird novel may not be to everyone's taste but I found it a gripping, if disturbing, black comedy about dysfunctional families.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 27 December 2004) |
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True History of the Kelly Gang |
Another eye opener, this time set in New South Wales towards the end of the 19th C. Hounded by police, hardships and without a chance to lead anything approaching a normal and lawful life, Ned Kelly writes his story, using a unique piercing style that is heart breaking though far from sentimental.
(Ange Guttierez Dewar - bwl 16 December 2002) |
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