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Andrew McGahan
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Praise Kindle Edition

by Andrew McGahan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.4 out of 5 stars 176
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Winner of the Australian/Vogel's Literary Award 1991.

Praise is an utterly frank and darkly humorous novel about being young in the Australia of the 1990s. A time when the dole was easier to get than a job, when heroin was better known than ecstasy, and when ambition was the dirtiest of words. A time when, for two hopeless souls, sex and dependence were the only lifelines.

'McGahan's book is a bracing slap in the face to conventional platitudes and hypocrisies.' - The Australian

'Praise is one of those books that takes a hefty bite out of a piece of subject matter, chews it to a pulp and then spits it out.' - Peter Craven

'A tour de force. revelation of life in the slow lane of drugs and sex and alcohol.' - The Weekend Australian

Winner of The Australian/Vogel Literary Award and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book in the Pacific Region. Shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Literary Award, the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature and the Canada-Australia Literary Award.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Allen & Unwin
  5. Publication date
    1 September 2005
  6. File size
    976 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Andrew McGahan was born in Dalby, Queensland, and now lives in Victoria. His first novel Praise (1992) won The Australian/Vogel Literary Award and the regional prize for best first book in the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. His second novel was the prequel 1988 (1995), and his third novel Last Drinks (2000) was shortlisted for multiple awards, including The Age Book of the Year and the Courier Mail Book of the Year, and won a Ned Kelly award for crime writing. In 2004, The White Earth was published and won the Miles Franklin Literary Award, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for the South East Asia and South Pacific region, The Age Book of the Year (Fiction) and the Courier Mail Book of the Year Award. It was also shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards. McGahan's fifth novel, Underground, was published in 2006 and was shortlisted in the Queensland Premier's Prize for fiction and for the Aurealis Award. In 2009, Wonders of a Godless World was published to acclaim and won the Aurealis Award.

McGahan's award-winning writing also includes stage plays and the screenplay for the movie version of Praise.

In 2011, McGahan launched his children's book series, the Ship Kings. The Coming of the Whirlpool was shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year award - older readers, for the Indie Awards, for the WA Premier's Book Award, was a finalist in the Aurealis Awards and was longlisted for the Gold Inky for an Australian YA book. The second novel in the Ship King series - Voyage of the Unquiet Ice was published in 2012.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00N1JTQLQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allen & Unwin (1 September 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 976 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.4 out of 5 stars 176

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Andrew McGahan

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Customer reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
3.4 out of 5
176 global ratings

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Top reviews from Australia

Nick Mason
4.0 out of 5 stars It was like watching a train smash. I wanted you look away, but couldn't.
Reviewed in Australia on 20 June 2019
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Amazing. Sad. Funny. Ruthless. Pathetic. I don't know how any character could suffer so breathtakingly much from such dedicated ineptitude. Read it.
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3.0 out of 5 stars Wastrel that lumbers from one emotional disaster to another.
Reviewed in Australia on 3 July 2019
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Too much explicit sex in this book. It is well written and home grown. Rather blunt and depressing look at life.
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Z I Fergus
5.0 out of 5 stars Praise be to Brisbane
Reviewed in Australia on 11 May 2023
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Andrew MacGhan's 1990s novel, Praise, is a visceral exploration of human nature, relationships, and the unbridled pursuit of happiness. With captivating prose and deeply introspective narrative, this contemporary fiction novel offers readers a thought-provoking journey into the complexities of Australian and in particular Brisbane late 20th century life.

The story revolves around the life of John, a young man living in what was then low-rent New Farm, Brisbane. Filled with an unyielding ennui John embarks on a haphard soul-searching quest, seeking purpose and meaning amidst the chaos of his existence. Through MacGhan's clever characterisation, readers are immersed in an endless world of alcohol, drugs and pointess hook-ups as John struggles with bureaucracy, aspirations, and disappointments.

One of the novel's strengths lies in MacGhan's ability to weave intricate and realistic dialogue. John's interactions with various characters, such as his eccentric boarding house friend Vass and enigmatic love interest Cynthia, are portrayed with a nuanced understanding of human dynamics. These relationships serve as a mirror, reflecting the intricacies of the human experience, exposing vulnerabilities, and introspection.

While "Praise" is an introspective novel, it also delves into broader themes that are still relevant. MacGhan tackles issues of identity, societal pressures, drug use and the pursuit of success, inviting readers to question their own lives and values.

It was interesting to re-read Praise 30 years later. MacGhan captures the feel of 1990s Brisbane as I remember it, and his ability to craft both attractive and unattractive characters make this novel an engaging achievement. Praise is thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, reminding us of the difficulty of seeking meaning and fulfilment in a world that often seems overwhelming.

I had forgotten Praise’s abrupt ending, reinforcing the sense of relentless repetition of John’s life.
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John
1.0 out of 5 stars Cheap talentless porn!
Reviewed in Australia on 13 November 2020
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I have no idea what the point of this book was. I have read more credible prose in Playboy, and that has pictures! This book is just rubbish
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Matt
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Australia on 21 August 2021
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Gordon, the eternal lovable loser who blunders from one disaster to the next. The book is raw and honest. It gives a sense of repetitive helplessness, you’re constantly disappointed in his life choices, but you can’t stop hoping for a good outcome.
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Donna Ellwood
3.0 out of 5 stars Boring and frustrating
Reviewed in Australia on 31 May 2020
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I did not like the character development. Frustrating and boring.
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Douglas Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting period piece, although a bit heavy on sex
Reviewed in Australia on 7 December 2014
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Interesting period piece, although a bit heavy on sex
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Jack Beddle
5.0 out of 5 stars Grungy Australian classic
Reviewed in Australia on 24 February 2021
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Good edition, large print
Incredible book and straight away one of my absolute favourites. Avoid if you're put off by sex scenes. Hauntingly frank portrayal of a misspent youth without goal or ambition. I found the protagonist relatable in many concerning ways and it only last to more frustration and heartbreak.
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Top reviews from other countries

Deidreeee
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight into another society
Reviewed in the United States on 6 May 2019
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The characters were complex and substance affected. The story gave me amazing insight into the dysfunctional lives led my many people I'd been associated with in my career in employment services. I did find the grossly detailed sex scenes were excessive. I'm pretty open minded but!!! So much detail!! Some of my friends are in 'ladies' book clubs. This book needs a warning. Similarly the drug taking episodes were a alarming to me. But it has certainly broadened my understanding of how some people live their lives. I had sympathy for the main character but I'm glad I don't have him in my life.
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tT
3.0 out of 5 stars praise the honesty
Reviewed in the United States on 8 October 2014
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Realistic account of a youths life in the 90's. I am not generally a fan of fiction. Not sure if this was a real account of Gordon/Andrews life or not but seemed believable.
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