This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. True History of the Kelly Gang

   

   This historical novel is a fictionalized account of the life of Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, told in the form of a journal written to his daughter. The narrative explores Kelly's life from childhood, his family's struggles with poverty and the law, his involvement in horse thievery, and his eventual formation of the Kelly Gang. The story culminates with the gang's infamous standoff with the police at Glenrowan, providing a humanizing perspective on a figure often portrayed as a ruthless criminal.

   The 1154th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. Oscar and Lucinda

   

   "Oscar and Lucinda" is a novel that tells the story of two unconventional individuals, Oscar and Lucinda, who meet on a ship going to Australia in the mid-19th century. Oscar, a young English clergyman, and Lucinda, a teenage Australian heiress, bond over their shared love of gambling. Their mutual obsession leads to a high-stakes wager that will have lasting consequences for both of them. The novel explores themes of love, faith, and obsession against the backdrop of Victorian-era England and Australia.

   The 1561st Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

3. 3. Illywhacker

   

   The novel is a sprawling tale of deception, magic, and family history, narrated by a 139-year-old Australian con artist. He recounts his life's adventures, from snake handling to aircraft manufacturing, while weaving in the stories of his descendants. The narrative is a blend of historical fiction and tall tales, exploring themes of national identity, truth, and the art of storytelling itself. Through the protagonist's unreliable narration, the book challenges the reader to discern fact from fiction, all while painting a vivid picture of Australian society and its transformation over the 20th century.

   The 3888th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

4. 4. Wrong About Japan

   A Father's Journey with His Son

   

   In this travel memoir, a father and his anime-obsessed son embark on a journey to Japan in an attempt to understand the son's fascination with the country's pop culture. Their adventure leads them to meet manga artists, anime directors, and cultural commentators, through which they explore the nuances of Japanese animation and its historical contexts. As the father attempts to bridge the cultural gap and connect with his son, he confronts his own preconceptions and discovers the complexities of modern Japanese culture, which cannot be easily understood through the lens of Western perspectives. The narrative delves into themes of cultural exchange, the generational divide, and the search for authenticity in a land where the line between reality and fiction often blurs.

   The 10613th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
5. 5. Bliss

   

   A satirical exploration of modern life, the story follows Harry Joy, an advertising executive who experiences a near-death event that radically alters his perception of reality. Upon awakening, Harry becomes convinced that he is living in a personal hell, where his family and colleagues reveal their true, sinister natures. As he navigates this surreal world, Harry embarks on a quest for genuine happiness and truth, challenging societal norms and confronting the absurdities of existence. The narrative blends dark humor with poignant insights, ultimately questioning the nature of bliss and the human condition.

   The 17114th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

6. 6. Parrot And Olivier In America

   

   Set against the backdrop of early 19th-century America, the story follows the unlikely partnership between Olivier, a young French aristocrat fleeing the aftermath of the French Revolution, and Parrot, a spirited Englishman with a checkered past. As they embark on a journey across the burgeoning United States, their contrasting backgrounds and perspectives provide a rich tapestry of humor and insight into the evolving American society. Through their adventures, the narrative explores themes of freedom, democracy, and the complexities of friendship, all while painting a vivid picture of a nation on the brink of transformation.

7. 7. My Life As A Fake

   

   Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Malaysia, this novel weaves a tale of deception, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. The story follows a literary editor who becomes entangled in a bizarre hoax involving a fabricated poet whose fictional works gain unexpected acclaim. As the editor delves deeper into the mystery, she encounters the enigmatic creator of the hoax, a man whose life has been irrevocably altered by his own creation. Through a series of gripping encounters and revelations, the narrative explores themes of authorship, authenticity, and the power of storytelling to shape lives and destinies.

8. 8. Jack Maggs

   

   Set in 19th-century London, this novel follows the enigmatic Jack Maggs, a convict who has returned from Australia in search of the young gentleman he once supported from afar. Disguised as a footman, Maggs infiltrates the household of the aspiring novelist Tobias Oates, who becomes fascinated by Maggs' mysterious past. As their lives intertwine, secrets unravel, revealing themes of identity, redemption, and the complex social dynamics of Victorian England. The narrative weaves a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and the quest for belonging, all while exploring the blurred lines between reality and fiction.

9. 9. His Illegal Self

   

   Set against the backdrop of the 1970s counterculture movement, this novel follows the journey of a young boy named Che, who is unexpectedly thrust into a world of uncertainty and adventure. Raised in a privileged environment, Che's life takes a dramatic turn when he is whisked away by a woman claiming to be his mother. Together, they embark on a road trip across America, evading authorities and uncovering hidden truths about identity, belonging, and the complexities of familial bonds. As Che navigates this new reality, he grapples with the challenges of growing up in a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred.
10. 10. The Chemistry Of Tears

    

    A grieving museum conservator becomes obsessed with restoring an intricate, mysterious nineteenth‑century automaton, and as she tracks down its maker and history a parallel Victorian tale of invention, loss and forbidden love unfolds; the two narratives intertwine to examine grief, the yearning for human connection and whether mechanical reconstruction can ever heal emotional rupture.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

11. 11. Theft

    A Love Story

    

    An aging, eccentric art historian becomes entangled with a charismatic stranger and a potentially priceless painting, setting off a tangled scheme of deception, forgery and obsession. As loyalties shift and romantic entanglements deepen, the characters navigate the slippery boundaries between authenticity and illusion, confronting the moral costs of ambition, memory and love in the treacherous world of art and provenance.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

12. 12. The Tax Inspector

    

    The Tax Inspector is a 1991 novel by Peter Carey, published in Australia by the University of Queensland Press, in the UK by Faber & Faber and, at the start of 1992, by A. A. Knopf in the US. Its barbed portrayal of a dysfunctional New South Wales family brought the author strong national criticism.