Journal
1147 L Wed 2 Jan 2002
I have been reading a novel by Peter Carey: True History of the Kelly Gang which won the Booker prize last year.
It is written from the perspective of Ned Kelly, using his writing style, which has no commas. After three policemen were killed in a shootout in 1878 he was tried and hung in Melbourne in 1880.
Its a good description of Victoria, the culture, the landscape, and the motives of people. Here is a line that struck me, from page 118: "As the poor pay fealty to the bushranger thus the bushranger pays fealty to the poor."
I read an article a few days ago which was talking about Osama bin Ladin. How his legend may grow, like Ned Kelly's. But I suppose "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it."
Copyright J.R. Lilburne, 2 January 2002. Last updated 3 January 2002.
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