Romulus, My Father

Romulus Gaita fled Yugoslavia aged thirteen, and came to Australia with his wife and their son soon after World War II. Tragic events were to overtake the boy’s life, but Raimond Gaita has an extraordinary and moving tale to tell of growing up with his father in country Victoria. Romulus, My Father is the much-loved story of how a compassionate, honest man taught his son the meaning of living a decent life.


Raimond Gaita was born in Germany in 1946. He is Emeritus Professor of moral philosophy at Kings College London, and a Professorial fellow at the Melbourne Law School and the faculty of Arts of the University of Melbourne.

His books have been published in many translations. They include: Good and Evil: An Absolute Conception, Romulus, My Father, A Common Humanity, The Philosopher’s Dog and Essays on Muslims and Multiculturalism (as editor and contributor). A feature film of Romulus, My Father was released in 2007, and won the AFI award for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Young Actor. 

‘Elegantly composed and written, both profoundly moral and perceptive in its social observations...It is a tragic, uplifting book whose eponymous hero emerges as one of the more magnetic creations in recent Australian writing.’ 1998 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards

‘Consistently astounding…one of the most remarkable works of autobiography I have read for years, a memoir of absolutely compelling tragi-comic quality.’ Peter Craven, Australian

‘Extraordinary and beautiful...Gaita’s book is about how it is possible to stare into the abyss of nothingness and see beyond it to the redeeming mystery that is life...Romulus, My Father is a profound meditation on love and death, madness and truth, judgment and compassion. It is about so much that matters that is normally so little discussed with so little honesty.’ Richard Flanagan, Sunday Age 

‘Gaita’s book is a moving account of his father’s commitment to words and of his struggle with a world of feelings that his words cannot get hold of...Tenderness is at the heart of the book.’ Eureka Street

‘This turbulent and tormented story of a migrant family’s life scarred by mental illness, skewed passions and suicide is a troubled tale relieved profoundly by compassion and honesty...it’s an insight into human hope, dignity and darkness.’ Canberra Times

‘Enthralling...a tale about madness, suicide, affliction and betrayal...a rare and passionate book, the like of which has seldom been seen in Australia.’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘Radiates warmth; Gaita’s memoir constantly reinforces not only humanity, but the mystery of being human.’ Weekend Australian

‘A sustained dialogue with the past from which the present has been born, and an extended essay on madness and death, love and friendship, beauty, truth and morality...Romulus fills every page with his presence.’ Age