Reading Series features Australia's most celebrated writer
Oct. 7, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Australia's most celebrated living writer, Peter Carey, visits Western Michigan University Wednesday, Oct. 16, to present a reading from his works beginning at 9 p.m. in 2302 Sangren Hall
Only the second writer in history to twice be awarded the United Kingdom's Booker Prize, Carey won in 1988 with "Oscar and Lucinda" and in 2001 for his most recent novel, "True History of the Kelly Gang."
Carey first gained international attention in 1997 when "Oscar and Lucinda" was released as a feature film. That attention has continued with the release of "True History of the Kelly Gang," which was profiled in leading publications, including Time magazine. The book, which chronicles the exploits of 19th century outlaw Ned Kelly, a national folk hero in Australia, was described by The New York Times as a "spectacular feat of literary ventriloquism"
Carey's other novels include "Bliss," "The Fat Man In History," Illywhacker," "Jack Maggs," "The Tax Inspector," and "The Unusual Life of Tristan Smith." He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and resides in New York City.
Carey's visit is part of the Fall 2002 Reading Series sponsored by the Creative Writing Program in the Department of English. For more information, call 269 387-2572.
Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu