Past performance, they say, is no indicator of future performance, but when it comes to me, past performance is often a very good indicator. What I mean is that once again I have not done well at having read the Stella Prize shortlist at the time of its announcement. In recent years, the most I’ve read at the time of the announcement has been two (in 2019). Last year I’d read one, and this year I will finish one of them tonight (but the review may not come until next week given my busy-ness right now).
I watched the announcement live on Stella’s YouTube channel, at 6.30pm tonight. Stella CEO Fiona Sweet opened the event with Toni Morrison’s famous quote that
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it”.
You can see where this is going can’t you! Her point was that these books that haven’t been written yet are what Stella is about. It is, she said, “an act of bravery to write into silence and fill the gap”.
Fiona was followed by Stella’s founding donor, Paula McLean. She also quoted an author, this time an American male author much loved for his nature writing (and on my TBR for the longest time), Barry Lopez. He said that
“Everything is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together, stories and compassion.”
This, too, is what the Stella Prize is about. Both said so much more but I think the recording will be available on the Stella website, where you can also read all about the shortlist, including the judges comments.
So let’s just get on with the main game. The shortlist was presented by ABC’s Bookshelf show co-host Kate Evans and Kamilaroi/Gomeroi author and academic Dr Amy Thunig-McGregor. They discussed each book in turn, teasing out what they liked about the books, and identifying, in particular, the ideas that link many of the books. Those ideas included the violence in systems, and, on the positive side, the love and relationships people find in community (whatever that community is.) They also talked about how several of the books are formally interesting – and sometimes challenging to them (like graphic novels!)
The shortlist
So, 212 books became a longlist of 12, which became a shortlist of 6 – and here they are, in alphabetical order by author, which is also how they were presented:
- Evelyn Araluen, The rot (poetry) (on my TBR) (CWF Session 5 and 6) (Jonathan’s review)
- Geraldine Brooks, Memorial days (memoir) (on my TBR) (Kate’s review) (kimbofo’s review)
- Miranda Darling, Fireweather (novel) (kimbofo’s review)
- Lee Lai, Cannon (graphic novel)
- Marika Sosnowski, 58 facets: On violence and the law (nonfiction)
- Tasma Walton, I am Nannertgarroook (novel) (my review coming soon)
So, 3 fiction (including one graphic novel), one poetry collection, and two works of nonfiction. Two of the shortlisted authors are First Nations writers. I am thrilled that I have three of these on my TBR, and will in fact finish Walton’s novel tonight. It makes another important contribution to truth telling – but more on that in my post.
As I reported in my recent longlist post, this year’s judging panel comprises bookseller, editor, and author, Jaclyn Crupi; academic and author, Sophie Gee; author, screenwriter, and broadcaster, Benjamin Law; journalist, writer, and facilitator, Gillian O’Shaughnessy; author and editor, Ellen van Neerven. Sophie Gee is this year’s Chair.
Each of the shortlisted authors will receive $5000, with the winner receiving $60,000. The winner will be announced on 13 May.
I will close with one sentence from the judges (from the Stella website):
These six wonderful books reflect the creative vitality, literary rigor, and expressive richness of Australian women’s and non-binary writing …
Any comments?
Whispering Gums 
I have The Rot, I carry it around with me, I think my son is reading excerpts from it to his (50% Indigenous) grade sixers. I’m sure I will read it soon.
Reading reviews and synopses of the others I’m not sure there is one that stands out for me this year, but I await your review of I am Nannertgarroook.
Thanks Bill. I have The rot next to my work area in Canberra and I have started it a few times but it requires proper attention which I haven’t been able to give it. I have another review to post and I also have the wedding so I expect I won’t get to I am Nannertgarrook until next week. It is an interesting read about which I hope to have a few things to say.
I await your review of I Am Nannertgarroook because I gave it two goes and had to abandon it. Disappointing given there were names of places I grew up in/near within the first few pages so I thought it was really going to resonate. There’s been a lot going on at work though, so my brain is very tired and it might just be a case of right book, wrong time.
Thanks, by the way, for the links to my reviews.
You’re welcome of course, Kimbofo. I can understand what you mean about I am Nannertgarrook I think. In many ways … no I’ll wait until I finish. It’s an interesting read though I wasn’t really expecting it to make the shortlist. There are good reasons though for it to have, and I haven’t read the rest. The only one I was really confident about was The rot.
I really enjoyed Geraldine Brooks’ book. Not read the others but interesting to see the graphic novel made it. Will have to watch the link you provided.
Thanks, Pam. Now that it’s shortlisted I’m reading it next.
I am pleased to see a graphic novel on here again. They are a powerful way of writing about complicated situations and emotions. Consider how some of the most famous graphic novels are nonfiction about wars and regimes, such as Maus and Persepolis, or family trauma, like Feeding Ghosts or Fun Home. I know some folks hate graphic novels, but that doesn’t mean they have no cultural or storytelling value. I just requested Cannon be sent to my home library, so I should get it soon.
I immediately thought of you Melanie when I saw that. I look forward to hearing your thoughts one day. I really should try to read it. I do know they are every bit as worthwhile as other forms of literature but I do struggle, personally, with marrying image to text. I know though that it just takes time.
It’s possible you just don’t have a sense for how to think about graphic novels and memoirs, which is not your fault. We’re taught how to approach various genres and subgenres, how to read poetry and plays, etc. but not graphic works. I read a book by Scott McCloud called Understanding Comics that goes through why artists do what they do in a graphic panel. I put the book on hold and got a notification today that it’s ready for pick up.
No, you are right. I don’t, so I have to teach myself which takes time of course. I sort of understand what I need to do but it takes a lot of concentration, particularly for someone who’s not highly visual to start with.
I love that your library even had the book, and that you have been able to get it quickly too. I hope you like it.
I love that these announcements and presentations (eventually) are so often available online. Being bookish used to be very lonely, but not any longer! (With an internet connection, which of course is a privilege to have at the ready.)
Yes, I do too Marcie. Not that I always can manage to logon, which I don’t think is always my fault but technology at the other end. I think I had trouble seeing the long list but this short list came through really clearly which was great.