SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

The 73-year-old Waanyi writer takes home $60,000 for Australia’s most esteemed literary prize, after having won in 2007 for her novel Carpentaria

Alexis Wright’s epic novel Praiseworthy continues to sweep the literary prize pool, winning the prestigious $60,000 Miles Franklin literary award on Thursday.

It is the second time the 73-year-old Waanyi writer has collected Australia’s most esteemed literary prize, having won in 2007 for her second novel Carpentaria.

This year’s Miles Franklin judges described Praiseworthy as “an astonishing feat of storytelling and sovereign imagination”.

“It is a capacious work in which Alexis Wright takes on the role of creative custodian, singing the songs of unceded lands,” the judges’ statement said.