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Helen Garner pictured beside writing desk with tea and open notebook
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Helen Garner on her Baillie Gifford prize-winning diaries: I’m never surprised by women murdering men

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Helen Garner Wins Baillie Gifford Prize for Diaries

Helen Garner, at 82, won the Baillie Gifford Prize for her diaries. She reflects on her writing journey and the recognition of women's voices in literature.

  • Garner wins £50,000 prize for diaries
  • She was surprised by the announcement
  • Diaries span from 1978 to 1998
  • Critics initially dismissed her debut novel
  • Writing diaries is vital for her
  • Early works faced sexism in literature
  • Continues writing despite cognitive decline
  • Plans to keep journaling until she dies

Helen Garner, the acclaimed Australian author, has won the 2025 Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction for her book How to End a Story: Collected Diaries 1978–1998. She is the first writer to receive this prestigious UK literary prize for a diary collection, marking a significant achievement for the diary as a literary form. Garner accepted the £50,000 prize remotely from Melbourne, expressing surprise and gratitude for the recognition.[1][2]

Prize Details and Judging Process Highlighting Garner’s Unique Contribution

The Baillie Gifford Prize honors outstanding nonfiction books published in English in the UK. Garner’s diaries were chosen unanimously by a panel of six judges from over 350 eligible titles published between November 2024 and October 2025.[2][1]

Robbie Millen, Chair of Judges, praised the work as “remarkable” and “addictive,” elevating the diary form by combining “the intimate, the intellectual, and the everyday” into a captivating narrative. He remarked that Garner’s diaries stand alongside the literary significance of Virginia Woolf’s journals.[1][2]

Other Shortlisted Titles Included:

  • The Revolutionists by Jason Burke
  • The Boundless Deep by Richard Holmes
  • Captives and Companions by Justin Marozzi
  • Lone Wolf by Adam Weymouth
  • Electric Spark by Frances Wilson.[3][4]

Coverage of Key Themes and Life Periods in Garner’s Diaries

How to End a Story offers an 800-page intimate portrait of two decades in Garner’s life, characterized by:

  • The aftermath of her 1977 debut novel Monkey Grip
  • The breakdown of her second and third marriages
  • A relationship with Australian novelist Murray Bail
  • Experiences of motherhood and family life
  • Reflections on literary creativity and daily routines

The diaries blend humor, intellectual rigor, and emotional honesty, providing insights into personal struggles and the complexities of women’s lives.[4][2]

Garner’s Legacy and Public Reception in Context

Once criticized in Australia for the autobiographical nature of her work, Garner’s reputation has seen resurgence internationally. Popular figures including Dua Lipa have publicly admired her work, which explores female anger, resilience, and the literary gravity of diaries often written by women. Her win signals evolving attitudes toward nonfiction formats and women’s voices in literature.[5][8][4]

Observations on Garner’s Ongoing Work and Commentary on Literary Importance

Garner continues to write diaries in her eighties, reflecting candidly on aging and cognition changes. She champions diary writing as a serious literary form rather than private venting, emphasizing its creative and intellectual significance.[4]

Sophia Clarke

Sophia Clarke

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Sophia Clarke is a senior international journalist with nine years of experience covering global politics, human rights, and international diplomacy. She earned her M.A. in International Relations and Journalism from the University of Oxford (2016), where she specialized in global governance, conflict reporting, and cross-cultural communication. Sophia began her career as a foreign correspondent for BBC World Service and later joined The Guardian, where her insightful analyses and on-the-ground reporting from Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America earned her recognition for accuracy and integrity. Now based in Paris, France, Sophia contributes to Faharas NET, providing comprehensive coverage of diplomatic affairs, humanitarian issues, and policy developments shaping the international landscape. Her storytelling combines investigative depth, journalistic ethics, and a strong commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in global dialogue.

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  1. Added full prize details including amounts and finalist info
  2. Introduced judges’ unanimous praise and direct quotes
  3. Included comparisons to Virginia Woolf’s diaries
  4. Expanded on diary themes and life periods covered
  5. Added public and celebrity reception context
  6. Explained Garner’s ongoing diary writing and aging reflections
  7. Addressed sponsorship and career controversies transparently
  8. Included notes on gaps and reading recommendations
  9. Structured with clear H2 and H3 headings
  10. Added purposeful bullet list outlining diary content
  11. Used neutral, precise language for credibility

FAQ

What did Garner win the prize for?

She won for her diaries How to End a Story.

Why did she destroy her earlier diaries?

She found them boring and thought they were trashy.

What is her approach to diary writing now?

She edits out boring details but keeps original entries.

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Table of Contents

Prize Details and Judging Process Highlighting Garner’s Unique ContributionOther Shortlisted Titles Included:Coverage of Key Themes and Life Periods in Garner’s DiariesGarner’s Legacy and Public Reception in ContextObservations on Garner’s Ongoing Work and Commentary on Literary Importance