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Bestseller by Peter Burchardt
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Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
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Literary Canon

Best Books from Australia

Australian literature has shed its postcolonial anxieties and developed a confident national voice over the past half century. Patrick White, the continent's only Nobel laureate in literature, wrote novels of mythic ambition set against Australia's vast landscape. Tim Winton has brought the working-class Australian coast into literary fiction of lasting power. Richard Flanagan, Christos Tsiolkas, and Kate Grenville have mapped the country's history, violence, and multicultural present with increasing formal sophistication. Indigenous voices — from Alexis Wright's Carpentaria to the poetry of Oodgeroo Noonuccal — are now central to the national literary conversation.

#1
Cover of The Idea of Perfection
literary-fiction

The Idea of Perfection

Kate Grenville· 2001
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score77/100
#2
Cover of Schindler's Ark
biography-memoir

Schindler's Ark

Thomas Keneally· 1982
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score76/100
#3
Cover of True History of the Kelly Gang
historical-fiction

True History of the Kelly Gang

Peter Carey· 2001
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score75/100
#4
Cover of Big Little Lies
mystery-thriller

Big Little Lies

Liane Moriarty· 2014
★Edgar Award
Editorial Score71/100
#5
Cover of Oscar and Lucinda
literary-fiction

Oscar and Lucinda

Peter Carey· 1988
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score66/100
#6
Cover of Shantaram
biography-memoir

Shantaram

Gregory David Roberts· 2003
Oprah's Book Club
Editorial Score44/100
#7
Cover of The Book Thief
historical-fiction

The Book Thief

Markus Zusak· 2005
Goodreads Choice Award
Editorial Score43/100
#8
True history of the Kelly gang
historical-fiction

True history of the Kelly gang

Peter Carey· 2000
Editorial Score38/100
#9
Cover of The Shock of the New
art-design

The Shock of the New

Robert Hughes· 1980
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score30/100
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Genres

Literary Fiction5Historical Fiction5Romance2Biography & Memoir2History2Adventure2Mystery & Thriller1Young Adult1Art & Design1

Notable Authors

Kate Grenville1 bookThomas Keneally1 bookPeter Carey3 booksLiane Moriarty1 bookGregory David Roberts1 bookMarkus Zusak1 bookRobert Hughes1 book

Australia Literature — FAQ

What are the best books from Australia?

The top-ranked books from Australia include The Idea of Perfection, Schindler's Ark, True History of the Kelly Gang — all highly scored by international editorial consensus.

Which Australia authors have won the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Australia has produced several Nobel Prize laureates. Our rankings highlight these winners alongside other critically acclaimed authors from the country.

How many books from Australia are ranked on 50 Best Books?

We currently rank 9 books from Australia, spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more.

What literary traditions is Australia known for?

Australia's literary tradition includes Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance — genres where the country has produced world-class authors.

Where can I read more about Australia literature?

Explore our dedicated guide at /best-books-in/australia for a comprehensive overview of Australia's literary landscape, key authors, and recommended reading order.