Who was Gabrielle Carey? Co-author of Puberty Blues, dies aged 64

Gabrielle Carey, an Australian author best known for co-writing the teen novel Puberty Blues with Kathy Lette, has died.

Carey, who was born on January 10, 1959, met Kathy Lette when she [Carey] was 12 years old and they became best friends.

They dropped out of school early, then shared a flat and wrote Puberty Blues, which was inspired by the lives of young male surfers in Sydney and their girlfriends.

Many people were shocked by the novel’s graphic depiction of adolescent behavior.

The book was released in 1979 and was adapted into a film two years later. The novel was adapted into a television series in 2012, which aired for two seasons.

Carey and Lette also contributed to the Sun Herald as “The Salami Sisters.”

Carey died suddenly on May 3, 2023 at age 64.

Lette paid tribute, writing on Twitter:

“I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news about my old friend Gabrielle Carey,”

“I have such happy memories of our teenage years. They were halcyon, heady days full of love, laughter and adventure.

“We made some mischief and broke some barriers by writing Puberty Blues – our raw, earthy take on the brutal treatment of young women in the Australian surfing scene which is sadly, still so relevant. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”

I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news about my old friend Gabrielle Carey. I have such happy memories of our teenage years. They were halcyon, heady days full of love, laughter and adventure. 1/2 🧵 pic.twitter.com/2wZZiRf1hd

— Kathy Lette (@KathyLette) May 4, 2023