Prisoner of war story wins top book honour
Man Booker Prize short-lister Richard Flanagan and West Australian literary son Tim Winton both claimed honours at last night's WA Premier's Book Awards.
They were among 11 writers and two illustrators who swept a $130,000 prize pool at a ceremony held at the WA Museum.
Flanagan claimed both the fiction and overall Premier's Prize for his acclaimed novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North, scooping $40,000 in prizes. The book is about a group of POWs.
Premier Colin Barnett said he was thrilled two of the world's greatest literary talents, Flanagan and Winton, had been recognised. "I am delighted to see that four West Australians are among the winners of the book awards and to also see the work of Jan Ormerod, who was also born in Western Australia, and who died last year, recognised in these awards," he said.
Judging panel chairwoman Associate Professor Delys Bird said the judges had enormous admiration for Flanagan's novel, which she described as ambitious and complex.
"It's an absolutely standout winner and will become a very significant part of the Australian literary culture," she said.
Mr Barnett said he wished the Premier's Prize winner all the best for the Man Booker Prize.
Professor Bird said it was good to see the five West Australians collectively claim three categories, given the State's awards had become national.
Winton grabbed _The West Australian _ People's Choice Award for Eyrie while Mt Lawley author Yvette Walker claimed the emerging writers award for Letters to the End of Love.
Light Horse Boy author Dianne Wolfer and illustrator Brian Simmonds shared the children's book category win with the late Bunbury-born author Jan Ormerod and the South Australian illustrator Andrew Joyner.
Victorian media commentator Margaret Simons claimed the WA history award for her biography of media magnate Kerry Stokes, chairman of Seven West Media, which owns _The West Australian _.
