THE MILES FRANLKIN LITERARY AWARD SHORTLIST HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

The Miles Franklin Literary Awards have announced the. books that have been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award.

The books are No-One by John Hughes, Exploded View by Varrie Tiffany, The White Girl by Tony Birch, The Returns by Philip Salmon , Islands by Peggy Frew and The Yield by Tata June Winch.

One thing that has been noted in literary circles Is the surge in demand by readers for books by indigenous writers. This year’s shortlist features books by two indigenous writers; Tony Birch and Tata June Winch. It is noted that three indigenous writers are past winners of the Miles Franklin Award.

The judges for this year’s award are the State Library of NSW’s Mitchell Librarian Richard Neville, journalist Murray Waldren, academic Dr Melinda Harvey, bookseller Lindy Jones and author and critic Dr Bernadette Brennan.

“The books on this year’s shortlist, diverse in form and tone, all explore the effects of trauma. From familial stories of neglect and abuse to the national story of racial and cultural dispossession, these novels demonstrate powerfully how past trauma continues to inform the present,” Mr Neville said.

The winner will be announced on July 16.