Two books published by the University of Queensland Press have been shortlisted in the 2014 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.
Gabrielle Carey’s Moving Among Strangers: Randolph Stow and My Family is one of five titles shortlisted for the non-fiction prize, and Geoff Page’s 1953 is in the running for the poetry prize.
The awards – established in 2008 – are Australia’s richest, offering $80,000 tax-free to the winner of each category and $5000 for each shortlisted title.
Ms Carey shot to fame as a teenager when she and Kathy Lette co-authored Puberty Blues, a bestseller that became the quintessential Australian 1970s teen novel. It has been adapted for film and television.
UQP publisher Madonna Duffy said Ms Carey’s memoir described her “literary pilgrimage” to discover and understand her family’s connections to acclaimed writer Randolph Stow.
“With only a few pieces of correspondence to guide her, Gabrielle travels from the red-dirt landscape of Western Australia to the English seaside town of Harwich in a quest to understand her family’s past and Stow’s place in it,” Ms Duffy said.
“Moving Among Strangers is a celebration of one of Australia’s most enigmatic and visionary writers and the enduring power of family.”
UQP describes Mr Page’s 1953 as “a striking and innovative new verse narrative” in which a moment in time, an Australian country town and characters are brought to life.
“It is a unique work of monologues and verse portraits,” Ms Duffy said.
“Together they build the story of an Australian town, Eurandangee, and its people on a hot and hazy mid-afternoon in 1953. The poems reflect the perspective of a number of the town’s residents.
“It offers sub-texts of post-war Australia, violence, cultural change, women’s lives, class and respectability, and traumatised men.”
One review described it as “a magnificent portrait” of a town.
Media: Meredene Hill, +61 7 3346 7932, +61 (0)401 575 143, meredeneh@uqp.uq.edu.au
