Peter Carey's fiction is a profound exploration of postcolonial national identity, often delving into the complexities of Australian consciousness. Although he relocated to New York in the late 1980s, his works continue to reflect on themes such as the legacy of colonialism, the deceptive narratives of history, and the allure of cultural centers like London and New York. Carey's bold experimentation with narrative forms allows him to expand on these themes with innovative storytelling techniques.

Early Life and Influences

Peter Carey was born in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, a small town in Australia. Growing up in a family of car salesmen and aviators, he was exposed to the world of commerce and invention from an early age. He attended Geelong Grammar School, a prestigious institution modeled after British boys’ schools, instilling in him a connection to both Australian and British cultural heritage. After a brief period studying science at Monash University, Carey ventured into the advertising industry in Melbourne, later moving to Sydney. His time in London and stints in a Queensland rainforest commune would later inform his writing. By 1990, Carey had settled in New York, serving as artist-in-residence at New York University, and continued to teach creative writing at institutions like Princeton and Columbia universities. His extensive travels across Europe and the United States have not only enriched his perspectives but also allowed him to champion the work of fellow Australian authors.

Literary Beginnings and Short Stories

Carey’s debut collection of short stories, published first in Australian journals and later in volumes such as The Fat Man in History and War Crimes, captured immediate attention. His stories diverged from traditional Australian social realism, opting instead for narratives that were futuristic, apocalyptic, revolutionary, and satirical. These works eschewed specific local settings, choosing instead to engage with the universal issues faced by postcolonial societies.

Breaking Ground with Novels

Though Carey's first novel, Bliss, is often viewed as his least successful, it nevertheless set the stage for the dynamic and imaginative storytelling found in his later works. The plot centers on Harry Joy, a man who, after suffering a heart attack, finds himself in a mental hospital, which propels him into a journey of self-discovery. He seeks solace in a rainforest commune, a theme revisited in Carey's subsequent novel, Illywhacker. This work features a 139-year-old con artist who regales readers with tales from Australia’s past, blending myth and personal history, drawing on Carey's personal experiences and family background.

Oscar and Lucinda: A Magnum Opus

Oscar and Lucinda, Carey's acclaimed work, earned him the prestigious Booker Prize. Departing from the familiar themes of contemporary Australia, the novel reimagines the classic narrative of a journey from England to colonial Australia, set in the nineteenth century. The story, centered on two compulsive gamblers—Oscar, a clergyman, and Lucinda, a glass factory owner—pivots into fantasy as they transport a glass church into the Australian outback. This fragile structure serves as a metaphor for the tenuous nature of colonial endeavors in a land inhabited by Indigenous peoples for millennia.

Satire and Modern Society

In The Tax Inspector, Carey turns his satirical lens on contemporary Australian society. The novel unfolds over four tumultuous days during a tax audit of the Catchprice family’s car dealership. Through unraveling tales of familial dysfunction and abuse, Carey weaves a daring metaphor for societal corruption, culminating in a dramatic conclusion that sees the family’s legacy obliterated in flames.

Exploring Imagined Worlds

With The Unusual Life of Tristan Smith , Carey crafts a fictional universe with his own creation of Efica, a stand-in for Australia, and Voorstand, a metaphor for...