The Gift of Speed

The Gift of Speed
ISBN: 9780099537281
Publication Date: 7 July 2011

In 1960 the West Indies arrive in Australia and Michael, who is sixteen, is enthralled. If, like his heroes, he has the gift of speed, he will move beyond his suburb into the great world.

As his summer unfolds, Michael realises that there are other ways to live. When the calypso chorus accompanying Frank Worrell and his team fades, Michael has learnt many things, about his parents, a girl called Kathleen Marsden, and about himself.

The Gift of Speed is a masterful blend of story-telling, memorable characters and a uniquely Australian sensibility by a novelist at the height of his powers.

About the Author

Steven Carroll was born in Melbourne. His first novel,

Remember Me, Jimmy James, was published in 1992.

The Art of the Engine Driver (2001) and

The Gift of Speed (2004) were shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, which the final book in the trilogy,

The Time We Have Taken, won in 2008. Steven Carroll lives in Melbourne with his partner and son.