My favourite author: Spoiled for choice

My favourite Australian author? We are spoiled for choice in trying to choose a national favourite. We are a country blessed with high literacy levels and a culture of reading. Local councils see that we all have access to free reading resources. Bookshops continue despite competition from the internet. Book clubs thrive.  But who is your favourite Author?

My earliest favourite author was Ethel Turner who wrote ‘Seven Little Australians’ among other stories. She presented wonderful role models of spirited adventurous girls.

Australia boasts one Noble Prize winner in Literature – Patrick White. An author to be admired rather than loved. Peter Carey, Thomas Kenneally and Tim Winton are innovative novelists whose output reflects varying aspects of Australian life. Their work is justifiably admired and studied. The Miles Franklin Award, endowed by one of our first women novelists, encourages writing about Australia. There are many prizes for writers.

Notable writers who are very popular but who do not collect prizes are the late Bryce Courtney and Di Morrissey. These readable authors just do not attract those who think they know literature.

So far I have only mentioned fiction writers. Favourite amongst my non-fiction writers are the historians Manning Clarke, Bill Gammage and the astronomer Fred Watson. We have a wealth of poets and award winning journalists.

Having something published in Australia today is a tough business. Our population is small, books are expensive and there is fierce competition from overseas via the internet.

In the last few years i have been delighted to read some recent publications that focus on family life in Australia and try to interpret our history and social fabric. There is the Miles Franklin Award winner, Anna Funder, with her novel, ‘All That I am’. Monica McInerney and Kate Morton are particular favourites for their long probing novels of family life and secrets beautifully written. I have also enjoyed this year Ashley Hay’s and Virginia Duigan’s latest books.

So, I don’t have a favourite Australian author. I like books that explore aspects of our society and bring our unique landscape to life.  I like authors who can create vivid characters who stay with us after we’ve closed the book.

I would love to hear from you about who your favourite author is.