Have you read Peter Carey?

[@ianp9086]

Great to have videos from you again and always good to hear about some of these older authors! I have read Oscar and Kelly Gang, but nothing else. I didn’t get on with Oscar I’m afraid so didn’t try anything else at the time. But I thought Kelly Gang was great, and Jack Maggs is on the shelf (I wanted to read Great Expectations first, did so, but then never picked up Carey’s novel!). I have a hunch this isn’t a Peter Carey issue - Australian and New Zealand authors seem to be poorly served in Uk and US - they are few and far between on the Booker since the US joined. My favourites are David Malouf and Alexis Wright but there are many I haven’t tried.

[@GuiltyFeat]

I haven't read Wright and the only Malouf book I read was "Remembering Babylon" when it won the inaugural IMPAC prize in 1996. I just noticed that Alexis Wright was shortlisted for the same prize this year.

[@sabinelipinska8614]

Chemistry of tears - liked it.

[@GuiltyFeat]

Thanks!

[@wolkenacht4331]

I read his short story Do you love me? It deeply touched me. But unfortunately I didn’t pursue his other writing. But this short story is truly brilliant and I should read more of his work!

[@GuiltyFeat]

Maybe one day I will pick up some of his short stories, but they are not a priority for me. Thanks.

[@lizh9497]

I’ve listened to the audio book of Oscar & Lucinda. I liked but didn’t love it. I’ve read parts of True History of the Kelly Gang. My dad was reading it when he was dying of cancer. When his eyesight went I read it to him. We never finished it. It’s sat on my TBR for 16 years now but I can’t bring myself to pick it up. Too many sad memories inked to it now. I also have Theft on my TBR but that’s also been there a long time! Thanks for spotlighting an Aussie author 😊

[@GuiltyFeat]

I understand that. I have been slowly working my way through the books my Dad wanted me to read before he died, but the last book I bought him to read in the hospital is not going on my TBR.

[@lizh9497]

@@GuiltyFeat ❤️

[@curioushmm9027]

the only one i've read, and it was a number of years ago, is the kelly gang...i recall little except thinking it was a 'western' set in australia...was not motivated to read more but i've heard more about him over the years and did buy my life as a fake though i haven't yet read it...i'm glad you found it more readable than others of his..

[@GuiltyFeat]

It seems as if he has a lot of well-reviewed books and not very many readers.

[@milesknightestrada3286]

A day that starts with an author spotlight from GuiltyFeat will always be a good day. That said, I do have his debut Bliss, which I bought purely for its seeming to share similarities with my own work. BookTube veteran Jonny Keen semed to enjoy it. Might give it a read here soon.

[@GuiltyFeat]

Thank you. Some day I won't be around to explain how all these odd books ended up in my collection. These videos are as much about keeping a record as they are about sharing my experiences. Glad you enjoy them!

[@heathereads]

Oh dear I have seen Oscar and Lucinda and the True History of the Kelly Gang over and over and the repeated exposure had me wondering whether to buy. Somehow I have always chosen something else, and it seems I'm not alone in this strange behaviour. Carey should thank you for being his champion

[@GuiltyFeat]

I'm not sure he could consider me his champion. He seems to hold a strange place among his literary peers.

[@ljw1980]

The only novel of his I've read was his last one, A Long Way From Home. Can't remember anything about it but I remember it felt like a slog to get through.

[@GuiltyFeat]

That feels recognizable, thanks.

[@hesterdunlop3982]

Yes . I have read a few a while back and love his work .. though I understand his style is not for everyone .Read His Illegal Self last year and can recommend it . Hope you are safe . Take care my friend

[@hesterdunlop3982]

I have read Illywacker , Oscar and Lucinder , Jack Nags and Kelly Gang .

[@GuiltyFeat]

Thanks. Doing our best to stay out of trouble. Maybe I will go back and read some more recent Carey one day.

[@jf8559]

I’ve read and loved all the books you’ve read as well as his short stories and his first novel Bliss. My favourites are Illywhacker, Oscar and Lucinda and True History of the Kelly Gang and I was just getting back to reading him when I got distracted by Victober last year and haven’t got back to him. All that being said his books haven’t stayed with me like I thought they would. I liked him at the time because I just found him completely original and unique and his writing fun and exhilarating. Thanks for spotlighting this great contemporary writer.

[@GuiltyFeat]

Glad to know I am not alone, either in reading Carey or finding his work hard to categorize and retain. Cheers.

[@Hidinginyourcupboard]

Even the great Harold Bloom deemed Peter Carey of note for Illywhacker and I keep watching out for it in 2nd hand shops, but only ever see other works by him. Which one is a good starting point in your view?

[@GuiltyFeat]

Oscar and Lucinda is probably the best place to start. He gets both weirder and more straightforward after that.

[@BookishTexan]

I’ve only read Oscar and Lucinda and I didn’t really like it. I couldn’t settle into the realistic world in which seemingly magical, or at least incredibly improbable, things happened.

[@GuiltyFeat]

I hear you. I read it 30+ years ago and didn't know much about novels or what they were meant to do.

[@FiReadsBooks]

I’ve only read one - Oscar and Lucinda and I didn’t enjoy it. I really wanted to though 😊

[@GuiltyFeat]

I hear that. It's quite dense and I read it early on in my reading career before I knew much about what i was looking for in a novel, but I remember it fondly.

[@Alan-wd7wv]

I'd say the reason is fairly obvious why he isn't read on booktube sadly. I've only read Bliss and Oliver & Parrot. I enjoyed Bliss, thought O&P was rather underwhelming, dry.

[@GuiltyFeat]

Do you think BookTube harbours some antipathy to the Antipodes?