The True History of the Kelly Gang
By Peter Carey

Carey is one of my favorite writers. The first book of his I ever read was a collection of short stories called The Fat Man in History. He also wrote Oscar and Lucinda—a beautiful story—which was turned into a film that I made. In Kelly Gang, the narrative voice is so unique. We Australians all know that outlaw Ned Kelly was hung after the famous shoot-out in 1880. But what Carey does is get inside his character's mind in such an illuminating and heartrending way. Aand there's not a trace of sentimentality in it. I so admire that as an actor, because I realize how difficult it is to do.