While writing his new novel, the acclaimed author suffered unimaginable grief. But he found ‘strange comfort’ in imagining the life of a long-lost boy wonder
At the age of 31, Down is one of the youngest winners of Australia’s premier literary fiction award, taking out the prize for an epic, heartbreaking story.
The five shortlisted novels share various threads concern – childhood stories, themes of migration and male violence – but are infused with a sense of play and measured optimism.