Copyright © 2023 by Alexis Wright
All rights reserved.
Except for brief passages quoted in a newspaper, magazine, radio, television, or website review, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher.
Originally published in Australia in 2023 by Giramondo Publishing
First published as New Directions Paperbook 1585 in 2024
The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:
Names: Wright, Alexis, 1950– author.
Title: Praiseworthy / Alexis Wright.
Description: First edition. | New York : New Directions, 2024.
Identifiers: LCCN 2023045511 | ISBN 9780811238014 (paperback) | ISBN 9780811238021 (ebook)
Subjects: LCGFT: Novels.
Classification: LCC PR9619.3.W67 P73 2024 | DDC 823/.914—dc23/eng/20231005
LC record available at https://
New Directions Books are published for James Laughlin
by New Directions Publishing Corporation
80 Eighth Avenue, New York 10011