Historical Novel Prize 2022 shortlists announced
Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) has announced the shortlists for the 2022 ARA Historical Novel Prize, worth a total of $100,000.
The titles shortlisted in the adult category are:
- Horse (Geraldine Brooks, Hachette)
- Corporal Hitler’s Pistol (Tom Keneally, Penguin)
- Cold Coast (Robyn Mundy, Ultimo).
The titles shortlisted in the children and young adult (CYA) category are:
- Katipo Joe: Wolf’s Lair (Brian Falkner, Scholastic NZ)
- Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief (Katrina Nannestad, ABC Books)
- The Wearing of the Green (Claire Saxby, Walker).
The adult category winner receives $50,000 while the CYA winner receives $30,000. The four remaining shortlisted authors across both categories will each receive $5000.
Chosen from longlists announced earlier this month, HNSA says the shortlist ‘demonstrates the true depth and talent of historical fiction authors’. ‘Tackling racism, classism and gender expectations, this year’s shortlisted novels feature strong leading characters, a true depth of research, and bold prose.’
The judges for the adult category included Angelo Loukakis, Madison Shakespeare and Meg Keneally, who, according to HNSA, withdrew from judging the shortlist and winner ‘due to actual or perceived conflicts of interest in relation to authors longlisted in the prize’. Her father, Tom Keneally, was shortlisted for his novel Corporal Hitler’s Pistol. The judging panel for the CYA category included Paul McDonald, Deborah Abela and Rachael King.
Last year, Jock Serong won the adult category for The Burning Island (Text) and Katrina Nannestad won the inaugural CYA category for We Are Wolves (ABC Books). The winners of this year’s prize will be announced on 20 October.
For more information about the shortlist, see the HNSA website.
Category: Awards Local news
