Inspired by a bequest in the will of Australian novelist Miles Franklin, the Miles Franklin Literary Award is a centre piece of the Australian Literature scene.
Miles Franklin
Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin (1879 - 1954) was born near Tumut, New South Wales and spent much of her childhood on her family property of Brindabella in Monaro, New South Wales. Her most famous novel, My Brilliant Career was first published in 1901.
Franklin wrote freelance newspaper articles in Australia under a pseudonym before travelling to America and England. She worked as a nurse during World War I in England and returned to Australia in 1933 having established a literary reputation in both countries.
History of the Miles Franklin Literary Award
The bequest stipulates that the award should go to a quality ‘published novel or play portraying Australian life in any of its phases.’ The Award is given annually and only novels and plays published during the previous year are eligible.
Established in 1954, the prize was first awarded to Patrick White in 1957 for his novel Voss.
The Award constitutes public recognition for a literary work of the highest quality and also a monetary prize. White was awarded £500 in 1957. In 2008, the winning author or playwright will receive $42,000.
The Award has not been without controversy during its history. In 1994 Frank Moorhouse was disqualified for consideration of his novel Grand Days because its backdrop on 1920’s Europe was considered ‘unAustralian’ by the judges. He later won the Award in 2001 for his novel Dark Palace.
The 1995 Award winner, Helen Demidenko for The Hand that Signed the Paper, caused literary controversy with a book that was considered anti-Semitic, racist and fascist in nature. Opponents to this view argued that freedom of speech allows all views to have equal opportunity for literary expression. Further public controversy was caused when the author was revealed to have used a pseydonym (her real name is Helen Darville), falsified her family history and an Ukrainen background during interviews and allegedly plagiarised work of other authors.
Miles Franklin Award Winners
Since White received the first award in 1957, many now prominent authors have been honoured with recognition.
Recent winners include:
- 2007 – Alexis Wright: Carpentaria
- 2006 – Roger McDonald: The Ballad of Desmond Kale
- 2005 – Andrew McGahan: The White Earth
- 2004 – Shirley Hazzard: The Great Fire
- 2003 – Alex Miller: Journey to the Stone Country
- 2002 – Tim Winton: Dirt Music
- 2001 – Frank Moorhouse: The Dark Palace
- 2000 – Thea Astley: Drylands; Kim Scott: Benang
- 1999 – Murray Bail: Eucalyptus
The Miles Franklin Literary Award highlights the talent of Australian authors and the richness of Australian life. Readers looking to experience the best of Australia’s literary talent can be guaranteed to find worthy contributors in the Award longlist (made available in March each year), shortlist (in April) and particularly with the Award winner, announced in June.
Further reading: 2008 Miles Franklin Literary Award Longlist
References: cultureandrecreation.gov.au
trust.com.au
