Your guide to the books in the 2026 Miles Franklin award shortlist: provocation, ruin and empire
The Guardian provides a primer on the six novels shortlisted for the 2026 Miles Franklin literary award. The article highlights the authors' diverse approaches to themes like empire, environmental ruin, and political activism.
Why it matters
The Miles Franklin is Australia's most prestigious literary prize, and this guide offers insight into the current trends and voices shaping contemporary Australian fiction.
The six books in the 2026 Miles Franklin award shortlist: Little World, My Heart in Evening, Discipline, You Must Remember This, Fierceland and First Name Second Name. Composite: Guardian Design/Black Inc, Evercreech, UQP, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books Australia The six books in the 2026 Miles Franklin award shortlist: Little World, My Heart in Evening, Discipline, You Must Remember This, Fierceland and First Name Second Name. Composite: Guardian Design/Black Inc, Evercreech, UQP, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books Australia Miles Franklin literary award 2026 Your guide to the books in the 2026 Miles Franklin award shortlist: provocation, ruin and empire Six authors are in the running for Australia’s most prestigious book award, which will be announced on Wednesday night. Here’s your primer
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