It seems strange to announce a shortlist for a prestigious literary prize on a Sunday, but the organisers of this year’s Miles Franklin Literary Award have done just that. I’m not complaining… it gives me plenty of time to compile this post on a lazy Sunday afternoon, instead of writing it after work, probably while half-watching terrible Monday night telly.
Anyway, without further ado, here is the shortlist:
- No More Boats by Felicity Castagna (Giramondo Publishing)
- The Life to Come by Michelle de Kretser (Allen & Unwin)
- The Last Garden by Eva Hornung (Text Publishing)
- Storyland by Catherine McKinnon (HarperCollins Publishers)
- Border Districts by Gerald Murnane (Giramondo Publishing)
- Taboo by Kim Scott (Picador Australia – Pan Macmillan Australia)
I plan on reviewing all the titles (provided I can get hold of Eva Hornung’s novel, which doesn’t seem to have been made available on this side of the planet). Do keep coming back to this post as I will update the hyperlinks above as and when I review each title.
The winner of the $60,000 prize will be named on 26 August so there’s plenty of time to read the entire shortlist if you so desire — and can source the books without too much bother.
You can read the official press release here.
Reading Matters 
it’s sourcing those books that is the issue – I’ve tried in the past but Australian published books are so expensive over here unless they picked up by one of the UK publishers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome to my world, Karen 🙂 It’s very frustrating at times… I now compile a massive wishlist and every now and then (twice a year — birthday & Christmas) I have a splurge at Readings.com.au because they charge a flat $22 shipping fee (about £12) and the books are wizzed over here in no time (about 5 days).
Sadly, it looks like only three books on the list are available in the UK: Michelle de Kretser’s in hardback, and Border Districts and No More Boats in Kindle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t heard of Readings. Sounds like a very practical approach…
LikeLike