Alexis Wright

"How do you tell an impossible story, one that is almost too big to contain in a single book?"

Alexis Wright is a member of the Waanyi nation of the southern highlands of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The author of the prize-winning novels Carpentaria and The Swan Book, Wright has published two works of non-fiction, Take Power, an oral history of the Central Land Council, and Grog War, a study of alcohol abuse in the Northern Territory in addition to the landmark work Tracker, the Stella Prize-winning book on Aboriginal Leader Tracker Tilmouth.

Her books have been published widely overseas, including in China, the US, the UK, Italy, France and Poland. She was recently named the Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne.

What genres does Alexis Wright write in?

She writes both literary fiction and non-fiction. Her novels include Carpentaria and The Swan Book, while her non-fiction work includes oral histories and studies such as Take Power, Grog War and Tracker.

Which of her books are most notable and what awards has she won?

Notable titles include Carpentaria, The Swan Book, Tracker and Praiseworthy. Tracker won the 2018 Stella Prize; Praiseworthy won the 2024 Miles Franklin Literary Award and the 2024 Stella Prize. Her books have also been published internationally.

Where should I start if I’m new to her work?

For fiction, start with Praiseworthy (recent award-winner) or Carpentaria, both widely cited. For non-fiction, Tracker (the Stella Prize-winning book about Aboriginal leader Tracker Tilmouth) or Take Power are good entry points.

Are Alexis Wright’s books part of a series or is there a recommended reading order?

Her books are standalone works rather than a series, so there’s no required reading order—you can read them in any sequence based on your interests.

What themes and subjects does she explore in her writing?

Her work frequently focuses on Indigenous Australian experiences, connections to land, community and leadership, and political and social issues—ranging from oral histories to studies of alcohol abuse and Indigenous activism.