Two books published by the have been shortlisted in the .
’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.
Õ¬Äе¼º½P 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.”
Õ¬Äе¼º½P 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