The winner of this year’s Indie Book of the Year Award was announced last week – and it is Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, which I reviewed here recently. The Indie Book Awards are made by Australian independent booksellers, and this is their second year. The winners in the four sections are chosen by a panel of judges, and then the overall winner is voted by independent booksellers from around Australia.
Cover image courtesy Allen & Unwin
The shortlist – chosen by those judges – was:
- Fiction: Jasper Jones, by Craig Silvey
- Non-fiction: The tall man, by Chloe Hooper
- Debut fiction: The virtuoso, by Sonia Orchard
- Children’s book: Pearl verses the world, by Heather Potter
I guess I’m not really qualified to comment as I’ve only read two of these books but, if I was going to choose between those two, I would have chosen The tall man hands down. I enjoyed Jasper Jones rather a lot (to use my best reviewer language) but it won’t be my most memorable book of the year. It’s been many months, though, since I read The tall man, and I haven’t forgotten it: it was beautifully written and makes a thoughtful contribution to our literature on black-white relations. And yet, it has been consistently pipped at the post in awards around Australia this year (with the exception of the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards). Why is this?
Whispering Gums 
I probably shouldn’t comment at all, since I’ve only read The Tall Man, but I agree, it’s a really significant book, well written but more importantly it’s an honest and brave look at crucial issues. It’s still got chances to win awards though: it’s been shortlisted for the PM’s, and the Melbourne Prize for Best Writing. I read it back in November 08, this is my review http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/the-tall-man-by-chloe-hooper/.
It’s also deservedly doing well in the bestseller lists.
Thanks Lisa…I read your review (way before I started this blog. I keep thinking I should write a review here but I find it hard to go back and write with the same freshness on a book that I’ve read a while ago. I have notes on it but they are not totally coherent. And I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the chances still to come!
I obviously will have to move The Tall Man up the TBR pile and see what I think.
Pearl versus the world was a very touching children’s book, so I’m glad it was at least shortlisted.
You will Sarah! And I’ll have to check out Pearl. What sort of agegroup is it geared to?
I think Jasper Jones a very deserved winner. I loved it. Zombie Cheeses. Ha. Inventive. Funny. Great vibe, and held the attention, even through a cricket game. Now that’s some writing. I’m very keen to read his other books now. I did half read The Tall Man, as I ran out of time. I’ve been meaning to go back and finish it for some time but haven’t got there. I have Pearl on the bedside table and hope to get to it this weekend. It’s a verse novel (for the slightly older child I suspect).
Good for you Louise. Glad you liked Jasper Jones. I did enjoy it too – but liked The tall man more! Let me know what you think of Pearl;