Heartbreaking, joyous and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda Szubanski, one of Australia’s most beloved icons, tells her story.
Heartbreaking, joyous and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda
Szubanski, one of Australia's most beloved icons, tells her story.
She describes her journey from an ordinary suburban childhood, haunted by the demons of her father’s espionage activities in wartime Poland and the ordeal of growing up gay in the 1970s, to the complex dramas of adulthood and unexpected fame.
Compelled to learn and understand the truth, Magda uncovers the traumatic secrets that have held her captive. She grapples with big questions about life and death, love and loss, and how humour helps us survive.
Intimate, poignant, captivating, Reckoning is the work of a fearless writer and natural storyteller.
'A brave and tender book about everything that matters most in life.' Cate Blanchett
‘Impossible not to be moved…She shines just as brightly as a serious writer as she does as a comedian.’ Guardian
'Every library should have it, every school should teach it.' Peter Craven, The Australian
'This is a remarkable memoir, that weaves the tragedy of twentieth century history into a personal narrative of coming to terms with family and self, and manages to honour both stories. The writing is assured and controlled, the storytelling expert and thoughtful, the language eloquent and moving. The writing, the story, the voice— all of it is beautiful.' Christos Tsiolkas
Award Winner, Liberty Victoria: The Voltaire Award, Magda Szubanski, 2018
Award Winner, Nielsen BookData Booksellers Choice Award, 2016
Award Winner, Book of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards, 2016
Award Winner Award Winner nner, Biography of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards, 2016
Award Winner, Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, 2016
Award Winner, Indie Award for Non-Fiction, 2016
Award Winner, Victorian Community History Award Judges’ Special Prize, 2016
Award Shortlisted, Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards, 2016
Award Shortlisted, Dobbie Literary Award, 2016
Award Shortlisted, National Biography Award, 2016
About the Author
Magda Szubanski is one of Australia’s best known and most loved performers. She began her career in university revues, then appeared in a number of sketch-comedy shows before he iconic character of Sharon Strzelecki rose to national fame in ABC TV’s Kath and Kim. She has also acted in films (Babe, Babe: Pig in the City, Happy Feet, The Golden Compass) and in stage shows.
Her bestselling memoir Reckoning won the 2016 Indie Award for Non-Fiction, the 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction, the 2016 Nielsen Bookdata Booksellers Choice Award, the 2016 Australian Book Industry Award for Biography and the Australian Book Industry Award for Book of the Year 2016. She became the public face of the marriage-equality debate in 2017.
