Helen Garner, 82, has won the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction, taking home £50,000 for her sprawling diary collection, How to End a Story. The Australian author had been watching from afar as news of her win spread on live television - she was in shock when congratulatory messages flooded in.
Garner's memoirs have long been subject to criticism and scrutiny, particularly since their publication in the 1970s. Critics saw them as too personal and "small canvas" compared to the grand narratives typically expected of writers at the time. Garner herself once destroyed her first set of diaries, but later revisited them and decided to edit out unwanted entries before publishing.
Her experiences have been marked by tumultuous relationships, including marriage and divorce, as well as friendships and encounters with family members. In her writing, Garner captures a raw and unflinching portrayal of life's darker corners, revealing a seething anger towards those who have wronged her or others she cares about. Her writing style has been praised for its candour and introspection.
Garner is thrilled to see that her work has gained widespread recognition in recent years, with many prominent figures citing her as an inspiration - even Dua Lipa has mentioned her account of a murder trial as part of her book club. Garner still keeps a diary, updating it daily as she navigates the challenges of aging and cognitive decline. Her writing remains a source of comfort, an outlet for life's intricacies.
Garner finds it fascinating to observe her own aging process, with its attendant physical changes and fading memories. Despite these limitations, her perspective on aging remains insightful and compelling - a testament to her unwavering dedication to observing the world around her.
Garner's memoirs have long been subject to criticism and scrutiny, particularly since their publication in the 1970s. Critics saw them as too personal and "small canvas" compared to the grand narratives typically expected of writers at the time. Garner herself once destroyed her first set of diaries, but later revisited them and decided to edit out unwanted entries before publishing.
Her experiences have been marked by tumultuous relationships, including marriage and divorce, as well as friendships and encounters with family members. In her writing, Garner captures a raw and unflinching portrayal of life's darker corners, revealing a seething anger towards those who have wronged her or others she cares about. Her writing style has been praised for its candour and introspection.
Garner is thrilled to see that her work has gained widespread recognition in recent years, with many prominent figures citing her as an inspiration - even Dua Lipa has mentioned her account of a murder trial as part of her book club. Garner still keeps a diary, updating it daily as she navigates the challenges of aging and cognitive decline. Her writing remains a source of comfort, an outlet for life's intricacies.
Garner finds it fascinating to observe her own aging process, with its attendant physical changes and fading memories. Despite these limitations, her perspective on aging remains insightful and compelling - a testament to her unwavering dedication to observing the world around her.
but then i started thinking like what's the big deal? £50k is just a drop in the bucket compared to how much she's written and shared with the world already. and yeah, her writing style might be raw and unflinching but isn't that kinda what everyone wants from their memoirs? 
also can we talk about how her experiences are soooo relatable it's like she's speaking straight to our souls but at the same time i'm over here like 'girl bye' because let's be real, who hasn't had a tumultuous relationship or two (or ten) in their life 
. It's like, her writing has always been so raw and honest, you know? And it's not just about her own life experiences, but also about how she's able to put into words things that are super hard to talk about 
. I mean, it's crazy that some people thought her diaries were too "small canvas" back in the day 
. Like, what even is a small canvas? Her writing may not be for everyone, but that's what makes it so special 
. And can we talk about how amazing it is that she still keeps a diary at 82? That's dedication 
! I'm also loving the fact that people like Dua Lipa are discovering her work and giving it the love it deserves 
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I'm loving that Helen Garner finally got the recognition she deserved! It's crazy how some critics back in the day thought her diary collection was too personal or "small canvas" compared to other writers. Like, what's wrong with being honest about your own experiences? 
Her writing style is all about candour and introspection, which is something we could all learn from. And can you blame her for still keeping a diary? Aging might bring some physical changes, but I'm sure her perspective remains as sharp as ever 
. It's amazing to see how she's still keeping those diaries, even as she ages - it just goes to show that writing is a way of processing life, and Garner is the ultimate example of that 
. And I love that she's gained this recognition now, after all these years - it's a testament to her talent and dedication 
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. It's amazing how her work has gained so much recognition now, especially from younger generations like Dua Lipa 
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. Her writing style may be described as "candour" and "introspection," but it's also refreshingly honest – she doesn't shy away from exploring the complexities of human emotions or the messy realities of aging 
. Her writing may be a reflection of her own experiences, but it's also a testament to the power of storytelling and the human need for connection 
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and can we talk about her writing style for a sec? so candid, so introspective... it's like she's reading our minds 
anyway, I'm beyond thrilled that she won this prize... £50k isn't bad either 
but honestly, it's not just about the money - it's about all the people who've been inspired by her writing 
. It's wild that some critics back in the day thought her writing was too personal, but it seems those opinions have aged (pun intended) and now people are eating up what she has to say 
. Her writing is like a breath of fresh air, it's raw and honest, you can't help but feel like you're getting the real deal. I love how she's not afraid to share her own struggles and emotions, it makes you connect with her on a deeper level. I've heard some people say her writing style is too personal or intimate, but to me that's what makes it so compelling 
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