Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright
In the northern reaches of Australia, a small town is shrouded in a mysterious haze, signaling both an impending ecological disaster and the presence of ancestral spirits. Amidst this backdrop, a visionary man becomes obsessed with donkeys, believing they hold the key to solving the climate crisis and the economic struggles of the Aboriginal community. His wife, seeking escape from his madness, immerses herself in the dance of butterflies and searches online for ways to reconnect her Aboriginal/Chinese heritage with China. Their family is further strained by their sons: one, named Aboriginal Sovereignty, is grappling with suicidal thoughts, while the other, Tommyhawk, harbors a desire for his brother's demise to fulfill his own ambitions of power and assimilation. This narrative weaves a powerful tale of resistance and identity, exploring themes of oppression and hope in a world on the brink.
The 5346th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 2024
- Nationality
- Australian
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 736
- Original Language
- English
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- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 4 lists:
- 1st on Best Australian Books of the 21st century (The Conversation) (The Conversation)
- 10th on The 10 best books from the past 25 years (Sydney Morning Herald)
- 63rd on The Greatest Books of 2024 - Honorable Mention (The Greatest Books)
- The 100 Best Novels Of All Time (Runners-Up) (The Guardian)