Jennifer Down has been named the winner of this year’s Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Bodies of Light. The Miles Franklin Literary Award recognises a novel of the highest literary merit that presents Australian life in any of its phases.

A profound book about the effect childhood trauma can have on a life, Bodies of Light cements Down as one of the most accomplished writers of her generation.

Bookseller Bec Kavanagh says of the work: ‘Down has delivered another gem. Bodies of Light brings the sophistication and craft of her short stories together with her keen insight into the ways we all yearn for connection, and the things that keep us apart … Heartbreaking as it may be, this novel is so rich with the details, both visceral and true, of Josie’s life that it will be deeply felt by everyone who reads it.’ Read the full review here.

Speaking of the novel, the 2022 judges commented: ‘With ethical precision, Down insists that we do not look away from the destructive consequences of life on the fringes, that we do not render invisible those who come through, miraculously, despite decades spent in the shadows of institutionalised neglect, socially sanctioned loneliness, unforgivable poverty and the attendant abuse that accompanies these conditions … Bodies of Light is a novel of affirmation, resilience and survival, told through an astonishing voice that reinvents itself from age six to sixty.’

Until 31 July we are delighted to have signed copies of Bodies of Light available to buy at the special price of $26 (was $32.99). This special offer is available online and in our shops, but only while stock lasts.

First awarded in 1957, the Miles Franklin Literary Award is presented annually and its winners receive $60,000 in prize money. You can find out more about the award here.