Best Books About Australia

Follow the life of legendary Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly, in True History of the Kelly Gang. Kelly tells his own story in raw and vivid detail, as he flees from the authorities and becomes a hero among the ordinary Australian people. Despite being labeled a thief and murderer, Kelly defies English authority and takes over whole towns. This classic outlaw tale is brought to life through the mesmerizing prose of a talented novelist.

This historical fiction book follows the story of William and Sal, an English couple deported to the New South Wales colony. The novel details their struggle to build a home in Australia, and the difficult decisions they must make to do so. With beautiful prose and a poignant storyline, The Secret River is an emotional journey that will transport you to another time and place.

A young boy in a small mining town is approached by the outcast Jasper Jones for help one summer night. What follows is a battle against fear and suspicion as Charlie learns the difficult truth of things that can be hard to hold in his heart.

Experience a gripping mystery set in the midst of a century-long drought in the small Australian town of Kiewarra. When three members of a local family are found brutally slain, Federal Police investigator Aaron Falk reluctantly returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of his childhood friend. As Falk delves deeper into the case, he realizes that he must confront a buried secret that he shared with his friend. With old wounds resurfacing and new ones forming, this atmospheric debut by award-winning author Jane Harper will captivate fans of suspense and mystery novels.

A captivating tale of love and war, this novel follows a young Englishwoman named Jean Paget from the Malayan jungle during World War II to the rugged Australian outback. After being captured and forced on a death march with dozens of other women and children, Jean eventually returns to England to escape her nightmare. However, an unexpected inheritance inspires her to give back to the villagers who saved her life, leading her to the desolate Australian outpost of Willstown, where she faces a test of resourcefulness and spirit.

A Man Booker Prize-winning novel, this work explores the experiences of a POW in a Japanese camp and his life in present-day Australia. Richard Flanagan masterfully weaves a story of love, death, war, and truth, and the impacts they have on the human spirit. This emotionally powerful and beautifully written work is not to be missed.

This epic novel by an award-winning author tells the interwoven story of two very different families who are forced to share a large house called Cloudstreet in Perth. Over the course of 20 years, they face hardship, war, and personal struggles while trying to make their lives. A true masterpiece of Australian literature, Cloudstreet explores themes of luck, love, fortitude, and forgiveness in a captivating and magical way.

This beloved coming-of-age novel set in the Australian outback follows a young woman's journey as she navigates life and love with unforgettable characters. The novel showcases a unique voice that blends humor and heartwarming moments with clarity and truth. My Brilliant Career was so successful it was adapted into an award-winning film. A modern 6-by-9-inch format by Waking Lion Press gives the classic novel a new life.