Reckoning: A Memoir

Author(s): Magda Szubanski

Arts | LGBTQIA

Heartbreaking, joyous, traumatic, intimate and revelatory, Reckoning is the book where Magda Szubanski, one of Australia's most beloved performers, tells her story.

In this extraordinary memoir, Magda describes her journey of self-discovery from a suburban childhood, haunted by the demons of her father's espionage activities in wartime Poland and by her secret awareness of her sexuality, to the complex dramas of adulthood and her need to find out the truth about herself and her family. With courage and compassion she addresses her own frailties and fears, and asks the big questions about life, about the shadows we inherit and the gifts we pass on.

Honest, poignant, utterly captivating, Reckoning announces the arrival of a fearless writer and natural storyteller. It will touch the lives of its readers.

Magda Szubanskiis one of Australia's best known and most loved performers. She began her career in university revues, then appeared in a number of sketch comedy shows before creating the iconic character of Sharon Strzelecki in ABC-TV's Kath and Kim. She has also acted in films (Babe, Babe: Pig in the City, Happy Feet, The Golden Compass) and stage shows. Reckoning is her first book.

''A brave and tender book about everything that matters most in life.'' Cate Blanchett

''This is a remarkable memoir, that weaves the tragedy of twentieth century history into a personal narrative of coming to terms with family and self, and manages to honour both stories. The writing is assured and controlled, the storytelling expert and thoughtful, the language eloquent and moving. The writing, the story, the voice -- all of it is beautiful.'' Christos Tsiolkas

''A memoir that will dazzle every kind of reader...Reckoning is a riveting, overwhelmingly poignant autobiography by a woman of genius. It is a book about how someone might live with the idea of killing the thing they love. It is a story of love and death and redemption and a daughter's love for her father. It is an extraordinary hymn to the tragic heroism at the heart of ordinary life and the soaring moral scrutiny of womankind. Every library should have it, every school should teach it.'' Weekend Australian

''Unlike most autobiographies by famous people, Reckoning has substance beyond the writer's fame...Szubanski's fine memoir, written with great style, adds another layer to our history.'' Crikey

''This is documentary writing of the highest order and Szubanski has given life to an incredible war story...This tale of war and suburbia, sexuality and comedy, is likely to be the most popular Australian book of the year.'' Age/Sydney Morning Herald

''This is an inspiring memoir of a woman who faced her demons, sought treatment for depression and overcame disappointments.'' Good Reading

''A page-turner...[Szubanski] is articulate and likeable as she tries to reconcile herself with the many difficult aspects of her past.'' New Zealand Herald

''Reckoning is a beautiful and moving story of a serious, thoughtful and complex person.'' Paul Barclay, ABC Radio National Books and Arts, Best Books 2015

''Magda Szubanski's brave, compassionate -- and hilarious -- Reckoning may be some sort of masterpiece of the form.'' Australian, Best Books 2015

''A deeply personal read -- sometimes uncomfortable so -- but Magda is an honest, forthright guide, and her love for her parents (and her siblings, especially older sister Barbara) shine through. This is not a sentimental read, nor is it a self-pitying one, but it's a warm, intelligent, brave and occasionally eye-opening one. I found it utterly captivating and came away from it feeling as if Magda had somehow exonerated the ghosts of her family's past -- or at least come to terms with them.'' Reading Matters

''This was an interesting read that I would highly recommend to both those who have heard of Magda and for those who haven't. I am definitely going to be checking out more of her work. 4/5'' Debra's Book Cafe

''Hard hitting and superbly told...If there's one memoir you should read this year regardless of whether or not you know the author, it's this one.'' Worm Hole

''This memoir uncovers long-held secrets with disarming candour. Not a celebrity exposé as much as a family history, Reckoning is moving and compassionate. That Szubanski can act is a given fact; that she can also write is revelatory.'' Best Books of 2016, Sydney Morning Herald

''Magda Szubanski's memoir, Reckoning, appealed to the genre-loving reader in me. It felt as if I was watching hundreds of movies; wartime espionage, the migrant's journey, the coming-of-age school saga, the uni student's journey at the height of 1970s feminism, and more. It was epic, but so uniquely Australian and despite our different upbringings, it felt personal. As if it was written specifically for that younger me who took forever to feel comfortable in her own skin, so she could take on the world.'' Melina Marchetta, Best Books of 2016, Guardian

''Magda Szubanski lays bare her remarkable family history in the beautifully written, powerful and at time harrowing Reckoning...One of the finest memoirs of the year, through all of the dark places, Reckoning never loses sight of her remarkable wit.'' SBS

''Honest, poignant, utterly captivating, Reckoning announces the arrival of a fearless writer and natural storyteller. It will touch the lives of its readers.'' Starts at 60

Winner, Book of the Year and Biography of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards, 2016


Product Information

2016 Indie Book Awards Winner (Non-Fiction)

Australian Book Industry Book of the Year 2016

'A brave and tender book about everything that matters most in life.' Cate Blanchett

'This is a remarkable memoir, that weaves the tragedy of twentieth century history into a personal narrative of coming to terms with family and self, and manages to honour both stories. The writing is assured and controlled, the storytelling expert and thoughtful, the language eloquent and moving. The writing, the story, the voice-all of it is beautiful.' Christos Tsiolkas

'Reckoning is a riveting, overwhelmingly poignant autobiography by a woman of genius...It is an extraordinary hymn to the tragic heroism at the heart of ordinary life and the soaring moral scrutiny of womankind. Every library should have it, every school should teach it.' Weekend Australian

'Unlike most autobiographies by famous people, Reckoning has substance beyond the writer's fame...Szubanski's fine memoir, written with great style, adds another layer to our history - another startling migrant story.' Crikey

'Reckoning is a powerful, exquisitely written account of Szubanski's loves and "lives" thus far.' West Australian

'With its hints of nostalgia, raw honesty, compassion, and a good amount of bravery, Szubanski's Reckoning reflects on the truths we hide and the realities we cannot ignore as we develop into and through our adult lives.' Conversation

'Sensitive and searching, colourful and vividly composed...stylish and accomplished.' Sydney Morning Herald

'Nearly every memoir is described as "brave" these days but Szubanski has earned the word...The result of her efforts is an affecting story of family intimacy - soulfully and sensitively told.' Saturday Paper

'[Reckoning] reveals [Magda] to be an extraordinarily rare talent - somebody with first-rate emotional and comedic instincts as well as a fierce intellect which would allow her to succeed in any academic task she'd set herself...This is a book which will be good for the soul of anybody who reads it.' Daily Review

'[Reckoning is] a page-turner...The quality of a memoir depends on how interesting a life the person writing it has had and Szubanski doesn't appear to do dull. She is articulate and likeable as she tries to reconcile herself with the many difficult aspects of her past.' New Zealand Herald

[Reckoning] untangles intergenerational trauma with intelligence and insight...[Szubanski] declares herself as a sensitive intellectual who is cursed, or blessed, depending on your point of view, with the fervent desire to understand.' Newtown Review of Books

'Reckoning isn't simply a collection of anecdotes, though - it is so much more. Sharp, beautiful, a must-read.' Canberra Weekly

'Magda's memoir is a moving exploration of her relationship with her Polish Resistance hero father...Reckoning is a quest and, in a sad but satisfying way, Magda does find what she's seeking.' Australian Women's Weekly

'Far more than a run-of-the-mill celebrity memoir, this is a beautifully written, heartfelt and illuminating family saga.' New Daily 'This is an inspiring memoir of a woman who faced her demons, sought treatment for depression and overcame disappointments. She is loved and admired by thousands but, more importantly, she exudes power - the power of being herself.' Good Reading

'Compelling author, compelling premise, compelling writing.' Graeme Simsion, Age/Sydney Morning Herald, Best Books of 2015

'I also adored Magda Szubanski's memoir, Reckoning. She has great stories to draw on but it is her very fine writing that makes it such a joy to read.' Christos Tsiolkas, Age Sydney Morning Herald, Best Books of 2015

'We all knew she was funny, but who knew she could write like this?' Benjamin Law, Age/Sydney Morning Herald

'Do not, repeat, do not underestimate comedian Magda Szubanski's Reckoning...A powerful piece of writing.' Courier Mail

'Reckoning is a beautiful and moving story of a serious, thoughtful and complex person.' Paul Barclay, Radio National Books and Arts, Best Books of 2015

'A fascinating memoir from the much-loved comedian...One of our favourites.' InDaily

'Magda Szubanski's brave, compassionate - and hilarious - Reckoning may be some sort of masterpiece of the form.' Australian, Best Books of 2015

'Magda Szubanski blew us away with her writing chops in this remarkable, fearless and deeply personal memoir.' Booktopia, Books of the Year 2015

'A moving and grave account of how a great comedian plumbed the enigma of her father's activities as a Polish wartime resistance hero.' Peter Craven, Australian, Best Books of 2015

'[Szubanski] captures wonderfully well the strange dissonance of history.' Sophie Cunningham, Australian, Best Books of 2015

'It is so refreshing to read an autobiography by a skilful character actor who is also in her own, non-stereotypical way, a role model for your average Aussie...The book will endure, just as Szubanski herself has.' Same Same

'It is impossible not to be moved...Let's hope Szubanski writes more. She shines just as brightly as a serious writer as she does as a comedian.' Guardian, Best Australian Books of 2015

Magda Szubanski is one of Australia s best known and most loved performers. She appeared in numerous sketch comedy shows before creating the character of Sharon Strzelecki in the TV show Kath and Kim. She has also acted in films (Babe, Happy Feet, The Golden Compass) and stage shows. "Reckoning" is her first book. "

General Fields

  • : 9781925355413
  • : The Text Publishing Company
  • : The Text Publishing Company
  • : 0.51
  • : July 2016
  • : 234mm X 153mm
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Magda Szubanski
  • : 791.43028092
  • : English
  • : Paperback