The Stella Prize is a major literary award celebrating Australian women’s writing. It is named after one of Australia’s iconic female authors, Stella Maria ‘Miles’ Franklin (who, by the way, pretended to be a man to have her book, My Brilliant Career, published in 1901.) I’m so glad it’s not as difficult now for talented women writers to have their work acknowledged.

The shortlist was announced today and although only in its 4th year, the prize garners plenty of interest. Whittled down from twelve books to six by five judges, the books are described by Brenda Walker, Chair of the 2016 prize as:

“… exceptionally strong: finely composed and compassionate literary investigations of the fate of individuals interacting with the natural world and with social authority; with protection and self-protection in complicated environments; with the hard-won joy of living.”

Angela Long the literary reviewer here at Welcome to My Library has been busy since the longlist was announced a few weeks ago reading up a frenzy. Every week in the lead up to the prize we will feature her review of each book, so watch this space! Follow Angela on Twitter 

The 2016 Stella Prize Shortlist

 

 

 

 

 

• Six Bedrooms by Tegan Bennett Daylight (Random House)
• Hope Farm by Peggy Frew (Scribe)
• A Few Days in the Country: And Other Stories by Elizabeth Harrower (Text)
• The World Without Us by Mireille Juchau (Bloomsbury)
• The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood (Allen & Unwin)
• Small Acts of Disappearance: Essays on Hunger by Fiona Wright (Giramondo)