8 great page-turners from the Queensland Literary Awards archives

Get ready to lose yourself in the wonders of previous years' Queensland Literary Awards finalists! While judging is underway for 2024, we're diving head-first into the archives to unveil 8 gems by Australian authors that made their way onto past Queensland Literary Awards shortlists. From gripping tales of the complexities of the human experience to heart-warming explorations of connection and transformation, each novel holds the power to transport you.  

Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au (Giramondo Publishing) – 2022 Finalist

Cold Enough for Snow intricately weaves a tale of a mother-daughter trip to Japan, exploring life and art's intertwined mysteries. Jessica Au's elegant prose evokes a dreamy ambience, masking profound emotional depths. The narrative fluidly shifts between past and present, unravelling memories with ambiguous meanings. Au adeptly portrays the nuances of human connection and communication, with an uncertain narrator driven by a relentless desire to understand. The novel subtly contemplates the enduring power of art and the complexities of its creation, delving into themes of regret and transformation. A masterful exploration of memory and loss. Borrow it from State Library.

The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar (Wild Dingo Press) – 2018 Finalist

Shokoofeh Azar's The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree vividly reimagines Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Bahar, now a ghost. Fleeing Tehran, her family seeks refuge in a village, only to confront the chaos of post-revolutionary Iran. Through lyrical magical realism, Azar explores the resilience of the human spirit amid cruelty, intertwining ancient Persian folklore with the harsh realities of political oppression. This poignant narrative, rich with dragonflies and jinns, serves as a timeless testament to the power of storytelling in the face of trauma and tyranny. Borrow it from State Library.

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss (Simon & Schuster) – 2022 Finalist

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) transports readers to 1852 Gundagai, where the Murrumbidgee River's power shapes lives. Surviving its devastation, Wagadhaany yearns for her lost home and family. Encountering Wiradyuri stockman Yindyamarra, hope flickers. Yet, the yearning for freedom persists, as Wagadhaany dreams of reclaiming her Ancestral lands. Anita Heiss crafts an epic tale of love, loss, and resilience against colonial oppression. This deeply moving narrative, lauded by critics and fellow authors alike, illuminates the enduring struggle for Indigenous identity and connection to country. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray flows with emotional intensity, urging readers to confront Australia's painful colonial legacy. Borrow it from State Library.

Daughter of Bad Times by Rohan Wilson (Allen & Unwin) – 2019 Finalist

In Daughter of Bad Times, Rin Braden faces heartbreak and moral dilemma while working for her mother's corrupt prison company. When her lover Yamaan miraculously resurfaces in an immigration detention facility, Rin confronts the reality of exploitation and profit-driven policies. Determined to free Yamaan from the clutches of a dystopian system, Rin navigates a treacherous path haunted by past mistakes. Rohan Wilson's suspenseful narrative paints a chilling vision of a future where greed eclipses compassion. With compelling prose and stark truths, Daughter of Bad Times confronts the moral complexities of profit and humanity in a world veering towards inhumanity. Borrow it from State Library.

The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood (Allen & Unwin) – 2016 Finalist

Two women, drugged and disoriented, wake to find themselves imprisoned on a desert property. Joined by eight others, they endure harsh conditions, guarded by armed jailers. As they uncover their shared past of sexual scandal with powerful men, they realise their grim fate. In a fight for survival, they confront misogyny and corporate oppression. The Natural Way of Things is a gripping tale of sisterhood, courage, and resilience – it also won the 2016 Stella Prize. Charlotte Wood remains one of Australia's most insightful and daring novelists. Buy it from The Library Shop.

Act of Grace by Anna Krien (Black Inc. Books) – 2020 Finalist

Act of Grace weaves an electrifying tale of fear, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of safety. Nasim, an Iraqi pianist fleeing Saddam Hussein's regime, intersects with Gerry and Robbie in Australia, each grappling with their own demons. Gerry contends with his tyrannical father's return from war, while Robbie navigates her father's dementia. As their worlds collide, a riveting narrative of guilt, trauma, and survival unfolds. This poignant story explores the enduring legacy of past atrocities and the transformative power of reconciliation, offering a profound meditation on the intergenerational cycle of trauma and the potential for healing. Borrow it from State Library.

The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose (Allen & Unwin) – 2017 Finalist

This mesmerising literary novel delves into the journey of Arky Levin, a New York film composer seeking connection against the backdrop of Marina Abramovic's groundbreaking art event, 'The Artist is Present'. As Arky grapples with his own personal turmoil, he finds solace and inspiration in Abramovic's performance, gradually unravelling the mysteries of life, love, and commitment. With lyrical prose and profound insights, this novel explores the transformative power of art and the eternal quest for meaning. Borrow it from State Library.

The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey (Text Publishing) – 2021 Finalist

In The Labyrinth, Erica Marsden, grieving and isolated, seeks solace near the prison where her son is incarcerated. Obsessed with building a labyrinth, she confronts guilt and denial. With strangers' aid, Erica grapples with trust and her past, navigating the complex parent-child dynamic. The novel explores the duality of art's impact – destructive yet restorative – amid themes of grief and redemption. This multi-award-winning bestseller showcases Lohrey's mastery, offering a poignant meditation on healing and human connection in the face of adversity. Borrow it from State Library.

Now we eagerly await the new voices and narratives from this year’s nominations! The shortlists in the 2024 Queensland Literary Awards will be announced on 1 August. Sign up to join our mailing list to stay in touch.