What's happened
Australian author Helen Garner has won the Baillie Gifford prize for her diaries in 'How To End A Story,' which covers her life from 1978 to 1998. Judges praised her candid, intimate writing, comparing her to Virginia Woolf. This marks the first diary to win the award since its inception in 1999.
What's behind the headline?
Garner's win signifies a shift in literary recognition, elevating diaries—particularly women's diaries—as valuable contributions to literature. Her candid, unfiltered approach challenges traditional notions of autobiography and memoir, pushing the boundaries of personal narrative. This award may inspire more writers to explore diary writing, blurring the lines between private reflection and literary art. Garner's work also underscores the importance of honesty and vulnerability in storytelling, which resonates with contemporary audiences seeking authenticity. The recognition of her diaries alongside classic authors like Virginia Woolf suggests a re-evaluation of the diary as a serious literary form, potentially influencing future awards and publishing trends. Her victory could also boost the profile of Australian literature internationally, as her work gains wider recognition.
What the papers say
The New York Times highlights Garner's candidness and her comparison to Woolf, emphasizing her influence on the diary genre. Sky News and The Independent focus on her recognition as a pioneering diarist and her contribution to Australian literature. While some sources praise her raw honesty, others note her work's significance in elevating diaries within the literary canon, marking a notable shift in how personal writings are valued in contemporary literature. The coverage collectively underscores her unique position and the broader cultural shift towards valuing intimate, personal narratives.
How we got here
Garner, 82, is renowned for her novels, short stories, and screenplays. Her diaries, covering two decades of her personal and professional life, were recognized for their sharp observation and raw honesty. The award highlights the growing appreciation for diaries, often dismissed as informal writing, especially those by women, as significant literary works.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Helen Garner is an Australian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist. Garner's first novel, Monkey Grip, published in 1977, immediately established her as an original voice on the Australian literary scene–it is now widely considered
-
Adeline Virginia Woolf was an English writer, considered one of the most important modernist 20th-century authors and also a pioneer in the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device.
-
Dua Lipa is an English singer and songwriter. After working as a model, she signed with Warner Music Group in 2015 and released her self-titled debut album in 2017.
-
The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction, formerly the Samuel Johnson Prize, is an annual British book prize for the best non-fiction writing in the English language. It was founded in 1999 following the demise of the NCR Book Award.