Karen Lamb has drawn on an unparalleled range of interviews and correspondence to create a detailed picture of Thea the woman, as well as Astley the writer. She has sought to understand Astley's private world and how that shaped the distinctive body of work that is Thea Astley's literary legacy.


Thea Astley- Inventing Her Own Weatheris the long-awaited biography of one of Australia's most beloved authors. Over a fifty-year writing career, Thea Astley (1925-2004) published more than a dozen novels and short story collections, includingThe Acolyte,The Slow Nativesand, finally,Drylandsin 1999. She was the first woman to win multiple Miles Franklin Awards - four in total. With many of her works published internationally, Astley was a trailblazer for women writers.
In her personal life, she was renowned for her dry wit, eccentricity and compassion. A loving mother and wife, she rose above the domestic limitations imposed on women at the time to carve out a professional life true to her creative drive.
Karen Lamb has drawn on an unparalleled range of interviews and correspondence to create a detailed picture of Thea the woman, as well as Astley the writer. She has sought to understand Astley's private world and how that shaped the distinctive body of work that is Thea Astley's literary legacy.
'An insight into the life of an author whose own existence was such a profound influence and source of inspiration for her writing. Four stars.' Books+Publishing
'Fascinating and insightful.'Sydney Morning Herald