I missed reporting on the Stella Prize shortlist when it was announced in April, which is unusual for me, but it was a busy time and I just didn’t get to it. It was well reported at the time, so I’m sure those who wanted to know didn’t miss the news.
Consequently, my aim here is not so much to share the shortlist – though I do want a record for my blog – but to value-add by sharing some resources that are available which might help those who are interested in checking out or reading the shortlist.
I’ll start, though, with the shortlist – for the record:
- Jumaana Abdu, Translations (fiction, kimbofo’s review)
- Melanie Cheng, The burrow (fiction, my review)
- Santilla Chingaipe, Black convicts: How slavery shaped Australia (non-fiction/history)
- Michelle de Kretser, Theory & practice (fiction, review coming soon but here is kimbofo’s review)
- Amy McQuire, Black witness: The power of Indigenous media (non-fiction/essays)
- Samah Sabawi, Cactus pear for my beloved: A family story from Gaza (memoir/non-fiction)
As Judging panel chair, Astrid Edwards, pointed out, this is the first time that all Stella shortlistees are women of colour:
“This year’s shortlist is consequential for Australian literary history, as it is the first time the Stella Shortlist features only women of colour. Now in its 13th year, these works showcase an incredible command of craft and understanding of our uncertain time. These works are riveting, and they stood out to the judging panel for their integrity, compassion and fearlessness.”
The winner will be announced at 5pm on 23 May, at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, and will be live-streamed for those of us unable to attend.
Now, here are the value-adds:
- Shortlist Films: Created by Stella, these short films feature actors presenting extracts from each of the six shortlisted books: Susie Youssef on Cactus pear for my beloved, Tiana Hogben on The burrow, Chika Ikogwe on Black convicts, Salme Geransar on Translations, Ella Ferris on Black witness, and Michelle Perera on Theory & practice.
- Reading Guide: The ABC’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf), Claire Nichols (The Book Show), Daniel Browning, Nicola Heath, Anna Kelsey-Sugg, and Declan Fry have put together a Reading Guide for the six shortlisted books. It briefly introduces the Stella, and then provides an overview of each book, along with links to some other content, such as a discussion about it on an ABC program.
However, Stella has created, for each shortlisted book, an almost one-stop-shop page that includes the judges’ comments, the short film, review excerpts with links to the full review, other av content where available such as from the ABC, and podcasts): Juumana Abdu’s Translations, Melanie Cheng’s The burrow, Santilla Chingaipe’s Black convicts, Michelle de Kretser’s Theory & practice, Amy McQuire’s Black witness, and Samah Sabawi’s Cactus pear for my beloved.
A related value-add: Early last year I wrote a Monday Musings on the Stella Book of the Month. Only three had been nominated at the time, but by the end of 2024 they had named ten (here). It looks like they may not be continuing the initiative this year.
Anyhow, I’d love to know if you are reading any of the shortlist, and/or your thoughts on the list.
Whispering Gums 
When do they pick the winner?
23 May, Melanie.
I’ve read three (Translations, Burrow and Theory) and have just received Cactus from the library. Loved Burrow. Thought Theory was interesting but not sure if it will appeal widely (not that that is necessary!). Did not like Translations at all – overly dramatic and needed a hard edit.
I’m hoping The Burrow wins.
Thanks Kate … I haven’t seen anyone really liking Translations. Interesting given its shortlisting.
I’d like to read Cactus. Hope to finish Theory tomorrow.
Of all the prizes, the Stella best matches my reading preferences. But still I read only a few shortlistees. As it happens I bought Theory & practice after reading Kim’s review. Now all I have to do is read it.
Yes …. And this shortlist should be particularly up your alley Bill. I’m reading Theory & practice now. It’s an intriguing read.
She’s featured on an upcoming (or perhaps newly out now) episode of the World Book Club on BBC podcasts (broadcasts, if you were local) for one of her previous novels. And for this one on David Naimon’s (my favourite for super-gritty writerish conversations) Between the Covers. (I’m afraid to link, or I’ll end up in the bin for it.) The only one of hers I’ve read was very early on (when the Women’s Fiction Prize was the Orange Prize, long before the Stella too, I believe).
Oh, thanks very much for the heads up, Marcie. I have listened to that World Book Club podcast a couple of times, though as I tend to only listen to podcasts on road trips, and am focusing an Aussie one, I’ve not focused on this one. However, we have another road trip coming up in 2 weeks, so I will look out for this one. I will look out for David Naimon.
De Kretser has – and hasn’t – come a long way from her first novels. In terms of the latter, there are threads that run through her writing – social justice/colonialism/migration related issues – but she’s become braver in how she writes, I think, in pushing form for example.
Hi Sue, I have only read The Burrow and Theory and Practice. I liked them both. I haven’t been too impressed with the past couple of years winners. I love de Kretser’s writing style, not always easy but as you say intriguing.
You sound like a few of us, Meg, in terms of what you’ve read. I would like to read more but with reading for my Jane Austen and reading groups to do I don’t imagine I will. I have a couple of previous winners on my TBR but haven’t got to them!