The Miles Franklin Literary Award, was established in 1954 with a bequest from the author Miles Franklin. She was concerned to see Australian literature flourish and knew first hand the struggles most authors have in Australia. The Miles Franklin Literary Award celebrates Australian character and creativity and nurtures the continuing life of literature about Australia. It is awarded for the novel of the year which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases. Since it was first awarded in 1957 to Patrick White for his novel Voss, the award has encouraged authors and delivered an immense contribution to the richness of Australian cultural life.
Among the 6 authors nominated this year is Brian Castro for his book The Bath Fugues. Castro was born in Hong Kong and has lived in Australia since 1961. He is of Chinese, Portuguese, and English descent. Currently he is Chair of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.
About the book:
The Bath Fugues is a meditation on melancholy and art, in the form of three interwoven novellas, centred respectively on an ageing art forger; a Portuguese poet, opium addict and art collector; and a doctor, who has built an art gallery in tropical Queensland. These characters are tied by more than their art, each dealing with questions of deception and discovery, counterfeiting and rewriting, transmission and identity and each stretching the bonds of trust and friendship.
(More information HERE.)
Among the 6 authors nominated this year is Brian Castro for his book The Bath Fugues. Castro was born in Hong Kong and has lived in Australia since 1961. He is of Chinese, Portuguese, and English descent. Currently he is Chair of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.
About the book:
The Bath Fugues is a meditation on melancholy and art, in the form of three interwoven novellas, centred respectively on an ageing art forger; a Portuguese poet, opium addict and art collector; and a doctor, who has built an art gallery in tropical Queensland. These characters are tied by more than their art, each dealing with questions of deception and discovery, counterfeiting and rewriting, transmission and identity and each stretching the bonds of trust and friendship.
(More information HERE.)
