Georgia Blain

"I’ve learnt that everything has so many nuances, and that an absolute truth is an absolute fallacy"

Georgia Blain has published five novels: CLOSED FOR WINTER, CANDELO, THE BLIND EYE, NAMES FOR NOTHINGNESS and the young adult novel DARKWATER. She was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Novelists in 1998, and has been shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. Two of her novels have been optioned for feature films, including CLOSED FOR WINTER, which was filmed as Elise in 2007. She has been published internationally, with her work appearing in publications such as Granta and The Independent Magazine. Her most recent book for adults BIRTHS DEATHS MARRIAGES was shortlisted for the Nita B Kibble Award in 2009.

Georgia passed away on December 9th, 2016. She leaves a husband, the filmmaker Andrew Taylor, and a daughter, Odessa.

To read Georgia's revealing answers to the Booktopia Book Guru’s TEN TERRIFYING QUESTIONS…and to leave a comment -CLICK HERE

What kinds of books did Georgia Blain write?

Blain wrote primarily literary fiction, a young adult novel (Darkwater), and nonfiction including a memoir (The Museum of Words). She also published shorter pieces in magazines and collections.

Where is a good place to start with her work?

Good entry points are Closed for Winter (one of her best known novels and adapted for film), Darkwater for younger readers, and The Museum of Words for a personal account of language, writing, and mortality.

Are her novels part of a series or meant to be read in order?

Most of Blain's books are standalone novels, so there is no required reading order. You can read them in any order that interests you.

What recognition or awards did she receive?

She was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Novelists in 1998, was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and Births Deaths Marriages was shortlisted for the Nita B Kibble Award in 2009. Two of her novels were optioned for film, and Closed for Winter was filmed as Elise in 2007.

What themes does Georgia Blain explore in her writing?

Her work frequently examines family and personal relationships, mortality, language and writing, and the complexities and nuances of truth and identity.