My Wish Lists Login / Join

Car Crash

A Memoir

By: Lech Blaine

Write A Review

Paperback | 5 November 2024

At a Glance

Format
Paperback

Dimensions(cm)
19.8 x 12.9 x 2.0

Paperback

RRP $24.99

$21.75

13%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $5.44 with

In Stock and Ships next day

What is it like to survive a crash that kills your best friends, and how do you move on? Car Crash is a stunning memoir about grief, perseverance and courage.

At seventeen, Lech Blaine walked away unharmed from a car crash that killed three of his friends and left two in comas.

On a May night in 2009, seven boys in Toowoomba, Queensland, piled into a car. They never arrived at their destination. The driver made a routine error, leading to a head-on collision.

In the aftermath, rumours about speed and drink driving erupted. There was intense scrutiny from media and police. Lech used alcohol to numb his grief and social media to show stoicism, while secretly spiralling towards depression and disgrace. This is a riveting account of family, friendship, grief and love after tragedy. In a country where class and sport dominate, and car crashes compete with floods and pandemics for headlines, our connection with others is what propels us on. Heartbreaking and darkly hilarious, Car Crash is a story for our times.

About the Author

Lech Blaine is the author of the memoir Car Crash and the Quarterly Essays Top Blokes and Bad Cop. He is the 2023 Charles Perkins Centre writer in residence. His writing has appeared in Good Weekend, Griffith Review, The Guardian and The Monthly. His forthcoming book is Australian Gospel.

Industry Reviews

'Scarifying and unforgettable ... A brave and unsettling account.' - Tim Winton

'Car Crash is a phenomenal book. Beautiful and dark and compelling.' - Rick Morton

'One of the best writers of his generation' - Benjamin Law

'This book is for everyone - it truly captures something of "modern Australia" in a tenderly told story of one young man's tumultuous coming-of-age.' - Bri Lee

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.