The complexity of families is a common theme among the 10 novels longlisted for the 2015 Miles Franklin Literary Award, says judging panel spokesman Richard Neville.
Announced this morning, the list includes four writers who were guests at this month’s Adelaide Writers’ Week: rapper and debut author Omar Musa (Here Come the Dogs), Sofie Laguna (The Eye of the Sheep), Joan London (The Golden Age) and Favel Parrett (When the Night Comes).
The other writers longlisted for the $60,000 prize are Suzanne McCourt (The Lost Child) and Christine Piper (After Darkness), both also debut authors, along with Elizabeth Harrower (In Certain Circles), Sonya Hartnett (Golden Boys), , Craig Sherborne (Tree Palace) and Inga Simpson (Nest).
“From a contemporary rap symphony and a 1950s polio clinic love affair, to the suburban father too good to be true and the spiritual journey of an Antarctic supply ship, this year’s Miles Franklin longlist showcases the extraordinary vitality and range of recent Australian fiction,” said Neville, State Library of NSW Mitchell librarian.
He said many of the books explored the complexity of families and the impact of family history on the present.
“Interestingly, a number of the novels are written from the child’s perspective, with unravelling families, or families in tension, driving the narratives.”
The Miles Franklin prize is awarded annually and is open to novels that “present Australian life in any of its phases”. Last year’s winner was Evie Wyld for All the Birds, Singing.
The 2015 shortlist will be announced on May 18, with the winner to be revealed on June 23.
