I didn't report on this biennial award in 2022, but with the 2024 shortlist just having been announced, and my having read half of them, I am reminding us all again of this interesting award. Worth $50,000, this award, for those of you who don't remember it, has very specific criteria: "the best novel written by … Continue reading Barbara Jefferis Award 2024 Shortlist Announced
Barbara Jefferis Award
Barbara Jefferis Award 2020 Winner Announced
In early October, the shortlist for the biennial Barbara Jefferis Award, worth $50,000, was announced. This award, for those of you who don't remember it, has very specific criteria: "the best novel written by an Australian author that depicts women and girls in a positive way or otherwise empowers the status of women and girls … Continue reading Barbara Jefferis Award 2020 Winner Announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Barbara Jefferis Award and negative depictions of women
A month ago, blogger Kim Forrester (Reading Matters) tweeted "I’ve stopped reading books where a woman being murdered is the plot point. Let’s change the story." I thought this was interesting, but didn't think a lot about it at the time because I read very little crime (though I do watch some). However, I was … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Barbara Jefferis Award and negative depictions of women
Monday musings on Australian literature: 2016 awards season dragging to a close
As the year draws to a close, our final major literary awards are being announced. We've seen this month the winners of the Queensland Literary Awards and the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards. The Barbara Jefferis Award has announced its shortlist, but we are still waiting for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards shortlist. All but one … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 2016 awards season dragging to a close
Fiona McFarlane, The night guest (Review)
Those of you who followed the literary award season in Australia last year will have seen Fiona McFarlane's debut novel The night guest pop up several times. The more it popped up, the more I wanted to read it - but also the more I thought it would be good to read with my reading … Continue reading Fiona McFarlane, The night guest (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post by Dorothy Johnston, writer and Barbara Jefferis Award judge
Literary awards, their role and import, have come under frequent discussion here at Whispering Gums. So, when writer Dorothy Johnston, whose The house at number 10 and Eight pieces on prostitution I've reviewed and, more relevantly, who was one of the judges for this year's Barbara Jefferis Award, suggested a guest post on the Award, I was … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Guest post by Dorothy Johnston, writer and Barbara Jefferis Award judge