Steven Carroll
Miles Franklin
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The Miles Franklin award for 2008 has been awarded to Steven Carroll and his ‘The Time We Have Taken’. It is the first time Carroll has won the award, although he was previously shortlisted for ‘The Art of the Engine Driver’ and ‘The Gift of Speed’. It’s a case of third time lucky for the novelist – the three novels forming a trilogy chronicling the development of an unnamed Melbourne suburb over a 20 year period, as seen through the eyes of Rita, Vic and their son, Michael.
On being presented with the award in June, Carroll stated:
‘It's an extraordinary thrill and an honour - but it's also daunting to be joining a long list of authors whom you've either studied or admired for years. The Miles Franklin comes with the gravitas of a whole literary tradition and you feel that weight almost instantly.’
It is Carroll’s second major prize for the work in as many months – in May he was announced the regional winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize.
The shortlist for the 2008 prize was an impressive one: of the five nominees, two (Rodney Hall and Alex Miller) had won it twice before.
The full shortlist:
| David Brooks: |
‘The Fern Tattoo’ |
| Steven Carroll |
‘The Time We Have Taken’ |
| Rodney Hall |
‘Love Without Hope’ |
| Gail Jones |
‘Sorry’ |
| Alex Miller |
‘Landscape of Farewell’ |
The Miles Franklin Literary Award is Australia’s first and most prestigious literary award, established in 1954 with a bequest from the author Miles Franklin (best known for her autobiography ‘My Brilliant Career’, which was adapted for the screen by Gillian Armstrong). She was anxious to ensure Australian literature would flourish – the award now being worth $A42,000 to the winner. The award celebrates Australian character is awarded for the novel of the year which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases.
Previous winners include Patrick White (the first winner in 1957), Thea Astley (with four awards, the most successful author), Thomas Kenneally, Peter Carey and Tim Winton.
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