Claudia Doman
5 November 2015: Australian award-winning debut novel The Strays has been announced today as the 2016 University of Canberra Book of the Year.
The UC Book Project, introduced in 2013, provides a novel to all commencing students and staff at the University – encouraging students to engage with each other irrespective of their course or background and inspiring staff to draw on the book's themes within their curriculum.
The Strays by Melbourne-based author Emily Bitto is a tale of friendship, belonging, family, loyalty and ambition. Set in the Melbourne art scene of the 1930s, the novel shines light on this particular time through a fictional lens. It tells the story of Lily, an only child of conservative parents, who befriends the daughter of avant-garde, rich artists and encounters their extravagant, chaotic lifestyle.
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2016 UC Book of the Year shortlist finalist - The Strays by Emily Bitto.
Dr Bitto said she was elated that The Strays had been chosen as the 2016 UC Book of the Year.
"I am thrilled and extremely honoured that my debut novel, The Strays, has been chosen for the University of Canberra Book of the Year for 2016!" she said.
"The UC Book Project is such a fantastic project, which acknowledges the way in which books and shared reading can create community. The Strays is, in many ways, all about community and belonging, and I really hope it may spark some interesting discussion amongst students and staff.
"Reading and discussing books with other people, whether through my undergraduate studies in literature, through book clubs, or now as a writer myself, has always been a great passion of mine, and I couldn't be happier that my book will become the basis for discussions across the whole university community," Dr Bitto, who has a Masters in literary studies and a PhD in creative writing, said.
The Strays, published in 2014, won the 2015 Stella Prize. The manuscript of her debut novel was shortlisted for the 2013 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. The Strays was also shortlisted for the 2015 Indie Prize and the 2015 Dobbie Award.
The novel was chosen as the University's Book of the Year by a panel of experts including award-winning Australian novelist Marion Halligan, University of Canberra distinguished professor Jen Webb, student Mallory Bugeja, University librarian Helen Taylor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Nick Klomp, who envisaged the UC Book Project.
"The Strays is a powerful, original and engaging story that explores issues such as friendship, loyalties, and vulnerability; topics which will resonate with our students," Professor Klomp said. "For staff, the novel will offer great conversation starters and a range of material to include in their teaching of psychology, communication, sociology, art, design and of course, creative writing."
"We are delighted to be giving this book to all commencing students and staff, and we hope it triggers interesting discussions throughout the year. Some universities around the world have a freshman or common reading program, where a book is chosen each year that all commencing students read. The UC Book Project is an Australian first which offers another point of difference for students who choose to study at the University of Canberra," he added.
Former winners of the UC Book of the Year include Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, Room by Emma Donoghue and The Rosie Project by Graham Simsion.
