Peter Carey is a highly acclaimed Australian author, known for his literary fiction novels and his historical and cultural themes. Born on May 7, 1943, in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia, Carey was educated at the local state school until the age of eleven and then became a boarder at Geelong Grammar School. He attended the school between 1954 and 1960, a time when Rupert Murdoch had graduated and before Prince Charles arrived. Carey's literary career began in 1974 with the publication of his first short story collection, "The Fat Man in History," which brought him overnight success.
Carey's writing career began in earnest in 1976 when he started working one week a month for Grey Advertising. In 1981, he established a small business, where he was required to work only two afternoons a week, giving him ample time to pursue his passion for literature. During this period, he wrote some of his most notable works, including "War Crimes," "Bliss," "Illywhacker," and "Oscar and Lucinda," which won the Booker Prize in 1988. Carey's success with "Oscar and Lucinda" made him uncomfortable, and he began work on "The Tax Inspector." In 1990, he moved to New York, where he taught at NYU, Princeton, The New School, and Barnard College. During these years, he wrote "The Unusual Life of Tristan Smith," "Jack Maggs," and "True History of the Kelly Gang," for which he won his second Booker Prize in 2001.
Carey's work is varied, comprising of many standalone books, collections of short stories, juvenile fiction and nonfiction novels, screenplays, and stage shows. Some of his most popular works include "Oscar & Lucinda," "Bliss," "His Illegal Self," and "Amnesia." He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Miles Franklin Award three times and the Booker Prize twice, making him one of only four authors to have achieved this feat. Carey's success has led to him being named as a potential contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature. In addition to his work as a novelist, Carey has also written screenplays, including for the film "Until the End of the World," which he co-wrote with author Wim Wenders.