Australian writer Thomas Keneally is a leading novelist in his country. His books are often based on historical figures in which his characters make moral choices. He is famous for Schindler's List, later made into a successful movie.
Early Life of Thomas Keneally
Thomas Michael Keneally was born on October 7, 1935 in Sydney, Australia. He is of Irish Catholic descent and educated at St. Patrick's College. He studied for the priesthood but left this vocation in 1960 before being ordained. Instead he turned to administrative clerical work and teaching. Keneally has been a full-time writer since he published his first book.
Earlier Books by Keneally
His first important novel, Bring Larks and Heroes, was published when he was 32. It is about Irish prisoners exiled to Australia in the 18th century. The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith is based on the true story of a half-Aboriginal man who killed several white women, and in turn, was murdered by white Australians. The Cut-Rate Kingdom is about Australia's uncomfortable relationship with the US during World War II.
In Confederates he wrote about the American Civil War and received critical praise for his accurate depiction of the American South. Blood Red, Sister Rose is based on the life of French heroine Joan of Arc.
Keneally's Schindler's List
Keneally's most famous novel, Schindler's List, is based on the true story of a rich German industrialist who saves Jews from the Nazi gas chambers during World War II. This novel won an important literary prize and was later made into a very successful film.
Memoirs and Children's Books
During his busy schedule as a full-time writer, Keneally has occasionally held university teaching posts in both Australia and the United States, however, he continues to write about Australia and other subjects, including autobiographical memoirs and children's stories.
Plays
His plays include Halloran's Little Boat,1968 (an adaptation of Bring Larks and Heroes), Childremas, 1968, An Awful Rose, 1972, and Bullie's House, 1981
Awards and Recognition of Tom Keneally
Thomas Keneally has won the Australian Miles Franklin Award twice with his novels Bring Larks and Heroes and Three Cheers for the Paraclete. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1983 for his services to Australian Literature.
Works by Thomas Keneally
- Bring Larks and Heroes, 1967
- The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, 1972
- Blood Red, Sister Rose, 1974
- Gossip from the Forest, 1975
- Confederates, 1979
- The Cut-Rate Kingdom, 1980
- Schindler's List, 1982
- A Family Madness, 1985
- A River Town, 1995
- Homebush Boy: A Memoir, 1996
- The Great Shame 1998, non-fiction
- Bettany's Book, 2000
- An Angel in Australia, 2002
- American Scoundrel, 2002, non-fiction
- The Tyrant's Novel, 2003
- The Commonwealth of Thieves, 2005, non-fiction
- A Widow and her Hero, 2007
Sources:
Biographical Dictionary, edited by Una McGovern, Chambers, 2002
Dictionary of Writers, edited by Rosemary Goring, Larousse, 1994
Who's Who in Australia 2000, 36th Edition 2000, Information Australia Group, 1999
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