True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey

The winner of the Man Booker Prize and Commonwealth Writers Prize, True History of the Kelly Gang is an astonishing novel. Peter Carey has crafted a fictionalised autobiography of Ned Kelly, undoubtedly Australia’s most famous bushranger, which draws inspiration from Kelly’s iconic Jerilderie letter; Carey’s portrayal of Ned Kelly’s voice is a distinctive vernacular style with little punctuation or grammar. True History of the Kelly Gang is an inventive, immersive read that will have you gripped.

One by Patrick Holland

This novel is one for Cormac McCarthy fans. In lean, action-fuelled prose, Patrick Holland tells the story of bushranger brothers, Patrick and James Kenniff, and of the man determined to bring them to justice. Our reviewer writes, ‘The simple narrative is deceptive, as it allows Holland to bring in a wealth of themes, from the abhorrent violence of Australian colonisation, to the moral choices we are asked to make when the law is almost non-existent.’ Read the full review here.

The Burial by Courtney Collins

Inspired by the life of bushranger Jessie Hickman, The Burial is a stunning fiction debut. 22-year-old Jessie has just served a two-year sentence for horse rustling, and as a condition of her release she is apprenticed to Fitzgerald ‘Fitz’ Henry, who wastes no time in involving Jessie in his own business of horse rustling and cattle duffing. The novel was shortlisted for numerous awards on its release, including the Stella Prize in 2013.

Game by Trevor Shearston

In Game, Trevor Shearston movingly depicts the last few months of the life of legendary bushranger Ben Hall. Shearston’s portrayal of the man is sympathetic, with a dark, wavering violence lurking underneath the surface. As Hall reflects on his growing desire to leave the ‘game’ and become a better father to his son, the noose of law enforcement tightens around him and his men.

Our Sunshine by Robert Drewe

Another vivid reimagining of Ned Kelly’s inner life, Robert Drewe’s slim novel was first published in 1991 and zones in on the Ned Kelly Gang’s final, fateful night at Annie Jones’ hotel in Glenrowan. Our Sunshine is urgent and intimate, dreamlike and thrilling. As one of the first literary works to tackle the famed outlaw’s life, it likely informed many of the novels that followed and was the source material for the Ned Kelly film starring Heath Ledger. (One earlier work was Jean Bedford’s 1982 novella about Kelly’s sister, Sister Kate, now sadly out of print.)

And one for the kids…

Midnite by Randolph Stow

This children’s classic is technically not about a real life bushanger but it’s so utterly charming we had to include it. Captain Midnite has a frightening reputation – even Queen Victoria fears him – but in actuality, the 17-year-old orphan is not-very-bright and really only almost handsome. Thankfully he has some animal friends to help him out, and in particular, a fiendishly clever Siamese cat named Khat.