'Just when you thought that there was nothing new that could be written about Ned Kelly, along comes this ripping yarn. This book takes up the thread of the Kelly gang story after Ned dies on the gallows and his co-conspirators allegedly died at the Glenrowan hotel fire. According to legend, two of the Kelly gang escaped. Long follows the adventures of Ned’s younger brother Dan and his mate, Steve whose loyalty make him an accidental bushranger. I learnt so much Australian history reading this novel and the writing is gorgeous. I went back and reread some sections, let them linger in my imagination. The scene where Dan and Kelly meet an Afghan cameleer and taste coffee for the first time is so evocative. While a fictional account, there is enough truth woven through to make it a thoroughly believable tale that captures the larrikin spirit we love to worship in Australia. A five-star read.' Johanna Skinner, Author
‘An exciting and beautifully written novel drawn from the life of one of the younger members of the Kelly gang. The story adds well-researched and valuable information about Ned Kelly and the gang as seen through the eyes of young Steve Hart. Escaping from the massacre at Glenrowan, Steve begins a journey into the heart of Australia where he discovers its many landscapes, meets a number of its first Australians and finds himself. Steve Hart is the story of a gentle young man growing up against a tough backdrop of Australia in the last half of the 19th century. Breathtaking in its scope and strong on interesting characters, the book is a real page-turner. Peter Long’s novel takes a prominent place with the best of the Ned Kelly publications.’ Maria Simms, Author
‘Peter Long is to be commended for bringing this modern, indeed postmodern love story into the Kelly legend, which for the most part is silent on the subject of love. This is certainly a Kelly novel for the contemporary reader. One of the great gifts of the novel to humanistic understanding is its ability to bring characters to vivid psychological life—literally to give life to the individual experience. Steve Hart: The Last Kelly Standing brings both history and character to life through an intricately plaited series of stories, which dramatise the nascent Australian national myth. But perhaps the most moving story in this polyphonic multi-faceted work, is how Steve Hart rises like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes of what might otherwise have been a short and tragic life.’ Stephen Torre, Reviewer
‘I just wanted to reach out as I’ve just finished Steve Hart and loved it! I really enjoyed reading a much softer story of a hard tale and thought you had created such a rich vision of Steve’s life with great research and understanding of what life must have been like back then. Congratulations on the novel.’ Sam, Reviewer
‘A gripping historical fiction that draws on rumours to create a gripping narrative about Steve Hart, from his start to his ‘death’ to his rebirth into a new self. Steve’s voice is strong throughout, perfectly capturing the story of a young man who must survive a harsh world in a book that every Kelly fan needs to have on their shelf.’ Nita Delgado, Editor
'I just finished Steve Hart – a very enjoyable read!! I loved the way Peter was able to describe the Australian bush, birds etc. I felt I was there. I particularly liked when he spoke about the Brolga – I love that bird and the wonderful aboriginal story connected to the dancing Brolga... my husband, Wal and I both look forward to Peter's next work and we wish him success.' Cheryl Donnelly, Reviewer
‘I was introduced to the masterful poem, My Country by Dorothea McKellar, in grade 8 at school. That exquisite line – I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains – has stayed with me decades later. I had a similar experience reading Long’s Steve Hart: The Last Kelly Standing. Lines like this: There’s no swagger in their stride. Emaciated, their uniforms flutter over them like ripples on a calm sea. Their heads fail to swivel, seek others for jest, as they did when we departed for war. What waits for us? Will Australia care? cement Long’s literary prowess. My heart swelled with Australiana as I read this gripping novel. Eloquent lines written with respect for all that our past encompasses. This book, I believe, is an important contribution to Australian literature, and a wonderful tale of what might have been. There was much to reflect on; worthy of a second read.’ Cate Sawyer, Editor & Author
‘I lost myself in this story of Steve Hart. I rode with him and cried with him. Steve came alive as The Last Kelly Standing. Peter Long’s story of Steve Hart left me dreaming of bushrangers and what could have been.' Nicole Kelly, Author of ‘Lament’
‘I’ve just finished a rollicking good read – lost in the story which reminds me of the beauty of our country with a richness in its history and all the people that make it up – I have no need to know the closeness to the truth. I really enjoyed it.’ Ken, Reviewer
‘An imaginative yarn that will appeal to readers open to the idea that the true history of the Kelly Gang might not yet have been fully revealed.’ D R Dymock, Author
'Just finished Last Kelly Standing. Thoroughly enjoyed every word. Congratulations. A significant capture of a time in history.' Alex, Reviewer
