Reckoning: A Memoir

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

"A remarkable memoir, that weaves the tragedy of twentieth century history into a personal narrative of coming to terms with family and self."—Christos Tsiolkas

"Riveting, overwhelmingly poignant…An extraordinary hymn to the tragic heroism at the heart of ordinary life and the soaring moral scrutiny of womankind."—Weekend Australian

"A beautifully written, heartfelt and illuminating family saga."—New Daily

Magda Szubanski's childhood in a suburban migrant family was haunted by the demons of her father's life in wartime Poland. At nineteen, fighting in the Warsaw resistance, he had been recruited to a secret counter-intelligence execution squad. His mission was to assassinate Polish traitors who were betraying Jewish citizens to the Nazis. The legacy of her father's bravery left the young Magda with profound questions about her family story.

As she grew up, the assassin's daughter had to navigate her own frailties and fears, including a lifelong struggle with weight gain and an increasing awareness of her own sexuality. With courage and compassion Szubanski's memoir asks the big questions about life, about the shadows we inherit and the gifts we pass on.

Magda Szubanski is one of Australia's best known and most loved performers. She appeared in a number of sketch comedy shows before creating the iconic character of Sharon 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.