Russell Prize for Humour Writing winners announced
Martin McKenzie-Murray’s “savage, dark and uproariously funny” satirical memoir The Speechwriter has won the $10,000 biennial Russell Prize for Humour Writing, Australia’s only humour writing prize, the State Library of NSW announced TODAY [Thursday 11 May].
The judges applauded McKenzie-Murray’s fictional debut for its dazzling wordplay and sheer inventiveness: “Forget every satirical political memoir you have ever read. The Speechwriter is here to re-invent the genre in a time where politics comes to us in fractals of the unreliable, shameless, self-serving, deluded and absurd.”
Readers are thrust into the world of former speechwriter to the PM, Tony Beaverbrook who, from his prison cell, pens his memoir while trying to figure out how it all went wrong. All the while, his violent, amateur philosopher cellmate, Garry, is critiquing his literary merit.
Chair of the judging panel, journalist, author and comedian Wendy Harmer commented: “In this unhinged, profane, surreal world as imagined by McKenzie-Murray — with its cast of amoral lobbyists, obsequious staffers, time wasters and puffed-up pollies — we hope readers find a LOL and OMG! on every page, like we did.”
According to State Librarian John Vallance: “A life without laughter is like a library without books.”
The $10,000 biennial prize has been made possible by the generous donation from the late Peter Wentworth Russell, a farmer, businessman and passionate reader, and his goddaughter Rachel Blazey, to celebrate, recognise and encourage the humour writing genre.
“It is always a joy to celebrate those that help us through our good times and bad with a wry comment, a quick wit or a dreadfully dry but funny story,” commented Rachel Blazey. “Whatever the style of humour that appeals, never let a day pass when you don’t enjoy the funny side of life!”
Lian Tanner’s Rita’s Revenge (Allen & Unwin) was announced as the winner of the $5,000 Humour Writing for Young People prize, selected by a panel of five youth judges.