Thomas Keneally

Thomas Keneally , 1935-, Australian novelist, b. Sydney. For a time a student of religion, and later of law, Keneally has ranged over a wide spectrum in his many novels, including the American Civil War, Nazi Germany, and rugby. Keneally insists that he must try to re-create the experience of his subjects, thus the authentic flavor of works such as Schindler's Ark (1982, published in the United States as Schindler's List ). Probably his best-known work, this novelistic treatment of a businessman who saved the lives of many Jews during the Holocaust was the source of the Oscar-winning 1993 film. His other novels include The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1972), A Family Madness (1985), To Asmara (1989), Woman of the Inner Sea (1993), A River Town (1995), Office of Innocence (2003), and The Tyrant's Novel (2004). He has also written several nonfiction works; they include The Great Shame (1999), which explores the fates of the 19th-century Irish forced to immigrate to Australia; American Scoundrel (2002), a biography of the infamous politician, Civil War general, and murderer Daniel Sickles ; and A Commonwealth of Thieves (2006), the story of Australia's late 18th-century beginnings as a colony for transported prisoners.

Keneally, Thomas (1935– ), Australian novelist, born in Sydney. At 17 he began training as a Catholic priest but in 1960 abandoned his intention to become ordained, turning to writing full-time after the publication of his first novel, The Place at Whitton (1964). This was followed by The Fear (1965), a condensed version of which was published as By the Line in 1989. He has travelled widely and published several accounts of his journeys, including Now and In Time to Be: Ireland and the Irish (1991) and The Place Where Souls Are Born (1992), about the American south-west. His first major success was Bring Larks and Heroes (1967), a historical novel. Subsequent novels include Three Cheers for the Paraclete (1968); The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1972); Blood Red, Sister Rose (1974), a historical novel about Joan of Arc; Confederates (1979), set during the American Civil War; A Family Madness (1985); The Playmaker (1987), set in 1789 and dealing with Australia's first dramatic production (adapted for the stage by T. Wertenbaker as Our Country's Good); and Towards Asmara (1988).

His most celebrated work to date, Schindler's Ark (1982; Booker Prize), is the moving story of a German industrialist, Oskar Schindler, who risked his life saving Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland during the Second World War; it was filmed by Steven Spielberg as Schindler's List. Other novels include Flying Hero Class (1991); Woman of the Inner Sea (1992); Jacko, the Great Intruder (1993); A River Town (1995), set in late 19th-cent Australia and based on his grandfather's life; and The Office of Innocence (2002), set in Sydney in the early 1940s.

Keneally, Thomas Michael (1935– ) Australian novelist. He drew on his experience of training for the Catholic priesthood in early novels, including The Place at Whitton (1964). In Bring Larks and Heroes (1967), he turned to historical fiction. Keneally's best-known work, Schindler's Ark (1982), won the Booker Prize, and formed the basis of Steven Spielberg's film Schindler's List (1993).