'Untamed and frankly shocking. When 1988 is dismissed as "another" young man's angsting book by reviewers deaf to the stylistic magic of this book, it makes the joke even funnier.' -- The Age
'The pre-eminent Australian road novel.' -- The Australian
'A fiendish and eventful psychological novel ... hugely satisfying.' -- The New York Times Book Review
In McGahan's prequel to his bestselling debut, Praise, Gordon, failed writer and bottleshop boy, feels his life is going nowhere and heads north with Wayne in search of their rightful place in the culture of a nation.
About the Author
Andrew McGahan was born in Dalby, Queensland, but has lived and worked mostly in Brisbane. His first novel Praise (1992) was winner of The Australian/Vogel Literary Award. Since then his writing includes an award winning stage play (Bait) and the AFI award winning screenplay for the movie version of Praise. His second novel was the prequel 1988 (1995), and his third novel Last Drinks (2000) was shortlisted for multiple awards, including The Age Book of the Year and The Courier Mail Book of the Year, and won a Ned Kelly award for crime writing. In 2004 The White Earth was published and went on to win the Miles Franklin Literary Award, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for the South East Asia and South Pacific region, The Age Book of the Year (Fiction) and the Courier Mail Book of the Year Award. It was also shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards that same year.
David has been working in theatre, film, television and radio for many years. He has appeared regularly on the Melbourne fringe-theatre circuit and performed for the Playbox Theatre Company and the Melbourne Theatre Company. In 1993 he won the Green Room Award for Best Actor for his role in Angels in America. David has appeared in various television series including State Coroner, Blue Heelers, Halifax f.p. and The Secret Life of Us.