<
https://theconversation.com/alexis-wright-becomes-the-first-to-win-the-stella-prize-twice-with-her-hyper-real-novel-of-aboriginal-sovereignty-and-survival-229020>
"Acclaimed Waanyi writer Alexis Wright has made Australian literary history by
being the first author to win the Stella Prize twice. This time, it’s for
Praiseworthy, her fourth novel – her first in more than a decade.
The Stella Prize was established out of an activist aim to redress the lack of
women writers (and from 2019, non-binary writers too) on the shortlists of
Australia’s major literary awards. It has often been idiosyncratic in its
choices, steering clear of “big” books by established, “major” authors. Here,
the Stella judging panel has awarded a book that is big in every sense – and a
writer who is widely acclaimed.
When looking for words to describe this novel, critics have reached for “epic”,
“monumental”, “mighty”. This isn’t just shorthand for “736 pages long” –
Praiseworthy is a novel of substantial ambition and cultural, literary and
political heft.
Beejay Silcox, chair of the judging panel, called it “mighty in every way” and
“not only a great Australian novel – perhaps
the great Australian novel”.
In awarding the prize to Wright and
Praiseworthy, the judges are sticking
with the core role of the literary prize in Australia’s ecosystem: to recognise
achievement, especially in works that might not find easy success in the
market.
Alexis Wright’s work has been much-awarded.
Carpentaria (2006) – in many ways
the precursor and companion to
Praiseworthy in the sweep of its ambition and
its focus on Gulf Country – won a slew of awards, including the nation’s most
prestigious, the Miles Franklin.
In addition to the A$60,000 Stella Prize,
Praiseworthy has won the Queensland
Literary Awards Fiction Book Award, and has been shortlisted for the
International Dublin Literary Award."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
