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  • Published: 5 January 1998
  • ISBN: 9780140273984
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $24.99

Cloudstreet




Winner of the Miles Franklin Award and recognised as one of the greatest works of Australian literature, Cloudstreet is Tim Winton's sprawling, comic epic about luck and love, fortitude and forgiveness, and the magic of the everyday.

Winner of the Miles Franklin Award and recognised as one of the greatest works of Australian literature, Cloudstreet is Tim Winton's sprawling, comic epic about luck and love, fortitude and forgiveness, and the magic of the everyday.

‘This is that rare book, a novel of both heart and intellect. It pulses with a sense of wonder and shines with the clear light of truth.’ Robert Drewe

After two separate catastrophes, two very different families leave the country for the bright lights of Perth. The Lambs are industrious, united and – until God seems to turn his back on their boy Fish – religious. The Pickleses are gamblers, boozers, fractious, and unlikely landlords.

Chance, hardship and the war force them to swallow their dignity and share a great, breathing, shuddering joint called Cloudstreet. Over the next twenty years they struggle and strive, laugh and curse, come apart and pull together under the same roof, and try as they can to make their lives.

‘One of the great masterpieces of world fiction.’ Philip Hensher

‘If you have not read Cloudstreet, your life is diminished . . . if you have not met these characters, this generous community, these tragedies, the humour. It is so wonderful.’ Mem Fox

  • Published: 5 January 1998
  • ISBN: 9780140273984
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $24.99

About the author

Tim Winton

Tim Winton is the author of 30 books. His work has been widely translated and adapted for film, television, stage and radio. He lives in Western Australia.

Also by Tim Winton

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Praise for Cloudstreet

This is that rare book, a novel of both heart and intellect. It pulses with a sense of wonder and shines with the clear light of truth.

Robert Drewe

One of the great masterpieces of world fiction.

Philip Hensher

If you have not read Cloudstreet, your life is diminished ... If you have not met these characters, this generous community, these tragedies, the humour. It is so wonderful.

Mem Fox

A groundbreaking Australian narrative [with an] irresistible combination of the domestic and the mythic.

Thomas Keneally

Cloudstreet is a comic, poignant and intelligent tour de force.

Jim Crace

Reading Cloudstreet for the first time was like a summer dream from which I wished never to wake.

Gillian Mears

Cloudstreet is the sole epic of contemporary Australian literature: in it, Winton paints on the same canvas as Xavier Herbert and Patrick White.

Geordie Williamson

A writer of tremendous zest, warmth and humour.

Graham Swift

Reading Cloudstreet is like catching a wave.

Kate Jennings

Eccentric heights and unrepeatable genius.

Malcolm Knox

Masterly... Ultimately a love letter to Australia, Cloudstreet is a compulsory and compulsive read. Read it and weep.

Herald Sun

Within Winton's writings, Cloudstreet may be considered a peak, where his lyrical language, vivid sense of place and dream-like scenarios coalesce into a stunning whole.

Weekend Australian

[Tim Winton] is a genius. His way with words and the way he writes is so raw and realistic and captures Australiana like no one else does. l am in awe of his talent.

Emma Booth

It has the surge, the sweep and momentum of a great American novel, but it's flagrantly Australian.

Brenda Walker, Weekend Australian

The first book that made me want to write ... It made life seem amazing and sprawling.

Evie Wyld

Awards & recognition

Banjo Award for Australian Literature

Winner  •  1991  •  Fiction

W.A. Premier's Book Award

Joint winner  •  1991  •  Fiction

Colin Roderick Award

Shortlisted  •  1991  •  Best Book

The Miles Franklin Literary Award

Winner  •  1992  •  Prize for Writing for Young Adults

W.A. Premier's Book Award

Joint winner  •  1992  •  Fiction

3M Talking Book Award-NSW

Shortlisted  •  1992  •  Talking Book

Discover more

Article
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Cloudstreet

Tim Winton and his publisher Nikki Christer reflect on 30 years of Cloudstreet.

Article
Cloudstreet book club notes

Make your next reading group session one to remember with Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet.