![]() ![]() That reaction indicated the statement was true, but also very troubling for Australians. "There were letters to the papers condemning his suggestion that Kelly was the Thomas Jefferson of Australia. "It was clear he had breathed life into this iconic national figure and had aroused powerful antagonisms," says McGrath. Only official Australia has always hated him."įriend and fellow novelist Patrick McGrath was in Australia when the book was published. Kelly was a popular hero at the time of his death and his reputation has been stable ever since. "There was some bullshit controversy about me glorifying a murderer," he explains. To come back and tackle the nation's most potent myth was risky, and indeed, coverage of the book duly broke out of the arts ghetto and on to the news pages. ![]() He has lived in New York with his wife, theatre director Alison Summers, and their two sons, since the late 80s. Just as contentious as the suggestion that Kelly's legacy still shapes Australia was the fact that Carey was tackling the subject at all. ![]() So many Australians were pleased to see him there as part of the story." "I thought the bucketheads and sparklers were unbelievably stupid and thoughtless and cheap. "Yes, when I first saw the Olympic thing I was a bit appalled," he says. Carey's initial dismay at the representation of Kelly was based on a belief that the country was selling its Jefferson short. ![]()
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