Anna Funder made her name with the much-hailed and widely published nonfiction work Stasiland. Her first novel, All That I Am—already a bestseller and winner of multiple awards—has just been awarded the Miles Franklin Literary Award for 2012. Congratulations Anna! Recommended reading: Miles Franklin winner Anna Funder finds out it's all about her, award coverage by Stephen Romei … Continue reading Anna Funder’s All That I Am wins 2012 Miles Franklin
Miles Franklin Literary Award
Casual fate: Taking Shelter by Jessica Anderson
Published in 1989, by Penguin Jessica Anderson (1916-2010) won the Miles Franklin Literary Award twice, for Tirra Lirra by the River in 1978 and The Impersonators in 1980. Taking Shelter is one of her less lauded novels (they all sound quite different). I picked it up mainly because of one of the cover blurbs: 'A provocative … Continue reading Casual fate: Taking Shelter by Jessica Anderson
Token Miles Franklin shortlist blog post
The Miles Franklin Literary Award 2012 shortlist has been announced. And I have absolutely nothing controversial to say about it! Despite the amount of Australian fiction I read (more than almost anyone I know) I haven't read them all. I'll at least get to the winner (after I hopefully find time to read the 2012 … Continue reading Token Miles Franklin shortlist blog post
Miles Franklin Literary Award longlist 2012
The Miles Franklin longlist has been announced. You can find it here. I've read four of the books (Wood, Miller, Mears and Jones) and thought they were all wonderful. I have a few more of the longlisted titles in the 'tower of hope'. Congrats to all the authors, I'll write something more when the shortlist … Continue reading Miles Franklin Literary Award longlist 2012
Miles Franklin 2011: the short shortlist
Just in. The books shortlisted for the 2011 Miles Franklin Literary Award are: Bereft by Chris Womersley That Deadman Dance by Kim Scott When Colts Ran by Roger McDonald Of course, the comment has begun (on Twitter) about the fact that there are only three books. Martin Shaw says (@thebooksdesk) 'A shortlist of 3 becomes … Continue reading Miles Franklin 2011: the short shortlist
Miles Franklin Literary Award Longlist
I usually wait to blog about the Miles Franklin when the shortlist is announced, but I think the longlist is exciting this year so I wanted to mention it. I've read four of the books, and have another couple in my pile. It's great to see new voices getting recognition. And I'm happy to see … Continue reading Miles Franklin Literary Award Longlist
Miles Franklin Award shortlist, 2010
Guten Tag. I've a piece in today's Crikey newsletter: Miles Franklin Award: Alex Miller Puts in the Boot. It begins: 'Are there too many literary awards in Australia, and is our oldest one “slipping away”? If an Australian literary award was provided increased funding and focus, would the Miles Franklin be the most relevant?' You … Continue reading Miles Franklin Award shortlist, 2010
Thoughts on 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Breath, by Tim Winton
Breath, Tim Winton, Penguin, 9780143009580 (Aus, US) Breath is my first Tim Winton. Yes, I know. He's just not someone I had gotten to yet. And yes, I will read Cloudstreet, eventually. Last week, Breath was awarded our nation's most prestigious literary prize - the Miles Franklin Literary Award, which is for books that in … Continue reading Thoughts on 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Breath, by Tim Winton