ARA Historical Novel Prize 2024 winners announced
The winners of the 2024 ARA Historical Novel Prize have been announced! The annual prize recognise the outstanding literary talents of Australian novelists who explore stories of the past, to illuminate our present and future.
The prize is one of the richest literary prizes in Australia, with a prize pool of $150,000 split between the winners and shortlisted authors in the two categories. Read more about the winning books and the judges' comments below.
Adult category winner
Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko
Melissa Lucashenko won in the adult category for her novel, Edenglassie, which tells two extraordinary First Nations stories set five generations apart.
When Mulanyin meets the beautiful Nita in Edenglassie, their saltwater people still outnumber the British. As colonial unrest peaks, Mulanyin dreams of taking his bride home to Yugambeh Country, but his plans for independence collide with white justice.
Two centuries later, fiery activist Winona meets Dr Johnny. Together they care for obstinate centenarian Granny Eddie, and sparks fly, but not always in the right direction. What nobody knows is how far the legacies of the past will reach into their modern lives.
The chair of judges, Tony Maniaty, said:
'Melissa Lucashenko’s Edenglassie is a fiercely original exploration of Australia’s past and its enduring consequences – an ambitious, epic novel that cracks what the author calls the ‘racist mythmaking’ that has painted Aboriginal people so negatively.
Melissa Lucashenko will receive $100,000 as the category winner, and Tony Birch and Lenny Bartulin will also receive $5,000 each, in acknowledgement of their shortlisted novels, Women & Children and The Unearthed.
Children and Young Adult category winner
Spies in the Sky by Beverley McWilliams
The Readings Children's Prize shortlistee Beverley McWilliams won in the Children's category for Spies in the Sky, a middle-grade novel inspired by the true history of pigeon spies in the Second World War.
This action-packed adventure is based on the true story of carrier pigeons carrying vital messages for the war effort. Told from the perspective of Royal Blue, a pigeon who has led a privileged life but now must endure hardship and danger, this delightful story will appeal to animal and adventure lovers. Perfect for independent readers aged 10+ or as a read-aloud for ages 8+.
Chair of judges, Anna Ciddor, said:
'[We] had no trouble agreeing on the winning title, despite the tough competition. Spies in the Sky by Beverley McWilliams offers everything [we] could wish for in a children’s historical novel. The gripping story arc carries readers through to a satisfying and uplifting ending, and the historical content, based on in-depth research into pigeons used as spies in World War II, is a crucial part of both the plot and the setting, creating a seamless immersive experience.'
Beverley McWilliams will receive $30,000 as the winner, and authors Jackie French and Rebecca Lim will receive $5,000 each in acknowledgement of their shortlisted novels, Secret Sparrow and Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky.
