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Here is the very words he spoke I pin them to the page as tore directly from his book.
—Peter Carey, writing as Ned Kelly

Imagining Ned Kelly

Peter Carey is one of Australia’s most celebrated writers.

His novels include Bliss (1981), Illywacker (1985), Oscar and Lucinda (1988), The Tax Inspector (1991), Jack Maggs (1997), True History of the Kelly Gang (2000), My Life as a Fake (2003) and Theft: A Love Story (2006).

The State Library of Victoria has worked with Peter Carey to acquire a detailed archive of material relating to his writing of True History of the Kelly Gang.

This archive provides an insight into the development and distribution of Carey’s novel, from initial ideas and research, which is outlined in his journal, to the creation of early drafts and cover designs for editions published worldwide.

Carey offers further insights into the source of his inspiration for writing True History in a video interview that was commissioned by the State Library of Victoria in 2001.