Aussie Readers discussion

The Shortlist has just been announced today, 20th March at 12 noon.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Night Games: Sex, Power and Sport by Anna Krien
The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane
Boy, Lost by Kristina Olsson
The Swan Book by Alexis Wright
The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka by Clare Wright

http://thestellaprize.com.au/the-stel...

My prediction is the same as the Bailey's Prize for Women.

Either Burial Rites by Hannah Kent or The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane

Yes I hope Burial Rites takes it out!

LOL! Yes!

Michael wrote: "Not that we are biased or anything like that hey. :D"

It would only be bias if you've only read one of the books :P

And that's me! lol

I've read The Night Guest was good but didn't blow me away. I have Burial Rites ready to go this weekend. Meant to start it the other day but had to put it down for a review book.

Enjoy Sally:)

I haven't read it but I'd go for Burial Rites; for the historical content and the Iceland aspect.

I notice that Burial Rites has just been awarded best debut fiction at the Indies as well. (Independent Booksellers' Awards)

Andrea wrote: "I notice that Burial Rites has just been awarded best debut fiction at the Indies as well. (Independent Booksellers' Awards)"

I am reading that this weekend. I have very high hopes for it :)

Has anyone read The Swan Book?

Phrynne wrote: "Has anyone read The Swan Book?"

I haven't. But it does sound very different doesn't it?

Sally906 wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Has anyone read The Swan Book?"

I haven't. But it does sound very different doesn't it?"

Aboriginal science fiction. I am tempted to try it.

Phrynne wrote: "Has anyone read The Swan Book?"

Quite a number of good reviews Phrynne, and a couple of really bad ones too. I haven't read it but I'd be interested in your thoughts if you do:)

The winner of the Stella Prize, awarded in Sydney last night (29th April, 2014) is The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka by Clare Wright

http://thestellaprize.com.au/

Phrynne wrote: "Has anyone read The Swan Book?"

I'm still waiting for my copy of this book, I like the idea of an actual literary fiction novel been nominated for a literary prize.

I have to read The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka for book club as well, so interested in checking it out.

***Sigh*** The word literary comes from the mid 17th century from Latin word "litterarius"
which means 'relating to the letters of the alphabet' as far as I am concerned if a book has letters of the alphabet in it then it is a piece of literature and as such worthy of a literary prize.

Literature means knowledge of books and it comes to us from the Latin litteratura.

When the word Literature became associated with poncy and supercilious I don't know - but it really infuriates me. We all read literature and it is all worthy to someone.

But the team literary fiction is considered a genre, which is problematic and everything bleeds together but I'm referring to a book that is claimed to hold literary merit.

That's my point young Michael who decides that one book has literary merit and another doesn't and what makes them right - or wrong!

I must confess though that the Stella prize usually has more readable books in their lists than other prizes :)

You just did, in a back handed way when you said "Stella prize usually has more readable books in their lists than other prizes"

The Stella Prize has just released it's 'Stella Count' as it opens its submission http://thestellaprize.com.au/resource...

It makes for fascinating reading.