James Bradley (Australian writer)
Encyclopedia
James Bradley is an Australian novelist
and critic. Born in Adelaide
, South Australia
, he trained as a lawyer before becoming a writer.
His books include three novels and a book of poetry. His novels have been published internationally and won or been shortlisted for a number of major Australian literary awards, including The Age
Fiction Book of the Year, the Miles Franklin Literary Award, the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards
, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book (SE Asia and Pacific Region), the Courier-Mail Book of the Year Award, the Aurealis Best Novel Award (Science Fiction category), the Adelaide Festival's National Fiction Award, the Fellowship of the Australian Writers Literature Award, the Australian National Book Council's 'Banjo' Award and the Kathleen Mitchell Literary Award. He was also one of The Sydney Morning Heralds Best Young Australian Novelists in 1997 and 2000, and on 16 June 2008 The Resurrectionist was included as one of Richard & Judy
's Summer Reads for 2008 He has also edited two anthologies, Blur, a collection of writing by young Australian writers, and The Penguin Book of the Ocean. His new novel, Black Friday, will reportedly be published in 2011.
Bradley's novels explore both past and future. The first, Wrack explores questions about the nature of history and the imaginary origins of Australia, drawing together the story of the semi-mythical "Mahogany Ship
", a Portuguese caravel supposedly wrecked on the southern coast of Australia, love stories and a murder-mystery. The second, The Deep Field, is set in a dystopic near-future and tells the story of a love affair between a photographer and a blind palaeontologist. The third, The Resurrectionist, based loosely on the story of the Burke and Hare murders details the fall from grace of a young anatomist, Gabriel Swift.
Bradley also writes as a critic, with reviews and articles appearing regularly in Australian newspapers and magazines, and blogs at City of Tongues.
He lives in Sydney with his partner, the novelist Mardi McConnochie
.
Australian literature
Australian literature is the written or literary work produced in the area or by the people of the Commonwealth of Australia and its preceding colonies. During its early western history, Australia was a collection of British colonies, therefore, its literary tradition begins with and is linked to...
and critic. Born in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, he trained as a lawyer before becoming a writer.
His books include three novels and a book of poetry. His novels have been published internationally and won or been shortlisted for a number of major Australian literary awards, including The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
Fiction Book of the Year, the Miles Franklin Literary Award, the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards
New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards
The New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards were established in 1979 by the New South Wales Premier Neville Wran. Commenting on its purpose, Wran said: "We want the arts to take, and be seen to take, their proper place in our social priorities...
, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book (SE Asia and Pacific Region), the Courier-Mail Book of the Year Award, the Aurealis Best Novel Award (Science Fiction category), the Adelaide Festival's National Fiction Award, the Fellowship of the Australian Writers Literature Award, the Australian National Book Council's 'Banjo' Award and the Kathleen Mitchell Literary Award. He was also one of The Sydney Morning Heralds Best Young Australian Novelists in 1997 and 2000, and on 16 June 2008 The Resurrectionist was included as one of Richard & Judy
Richard & Judy
Richard & Judy was a British magazine/chat show which was presented by married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. It originally aired on Channel 4 from 2001 to 2008 but later moved to digital channel Watch in October 2008. It featured the world's most famous stars, along with their Book Club...
's Summer Reads for 2008 He has also edited two anthologies, Blur, a collection of writing by young Australian writers, and The Penguin Book of the Ocean. His new novel, Black Friday, will reportedly be published in 2011.
Bradley's novels explore both past and future. The first, Wrack explores questions about the nature of history and the imaginary origins of Australia, drawing together the story of the semi-mythical "Mahogany Ship
Mahogany Ship
The Mahogany Ship refers to a putative, early shipwreck that is purported to lie beneath the sand in the Armstrong Bay area, approximately 3 to 6 kilometres west of Warrnambool in southwest Victoria, Australia...
", a Portuguese caravel supposedly wrecked on the southern coast of Australia, love stories and a murder-mystery. The second, The Deep Field, is set in a dystopic near-future and tells the story of a love affair between a photographer and a blind palaeontologist. The third, The Resurrectionist, based loosely on the story of the Burke and Hare murders details the fall from grace of a young anatomist, Gabriel Swift.
Bradley also writes as a critic, with reviews and articles appearing regularly in Australian newspapers and magazines, and blogs at City of Tongues.
He lives in Sydney with his partner, the novelist Mardi McConnochie
Mardi McConnochie
Mardi McConnochie is an Australian author and playwright. She is the author of three novels, Coldwater , The Snow Queen , Fivestar , several plays and two books for children, Melissa, Queen of Evil and Dangerous Games .Born in Armidale, New South Wales, McConnochie was raised in Adelaide, South...
.
External links
- James Bradley's website, www.cityoftongues.com.
- A review of The Resurrectionist A review of The Resurrectionist, Matilda, 14 April 2006.
- James Bradley: Anatomy of Violence, The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 March, 2006 James Bradley: Anatomy of Violence.
- James Bradley talks about writing The Resurrectionist James Bradley talks about writing The Resurrectionist (.pdf)
- Read an extract from The Resurrectionist Read an extract from The Resurrectionist
- Picador Australia Reading Group Notes for The Resurrectionist Picador Australia Reading Group Notes for The Resurrectionist