Helen Garner Wins Prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction with Diaries Collection
In a significant literary achievement, Australian author Helen Garner has been named the winner of the 2025 Baillie Gifford prize for nonfiction for her collection "How to End a Story", marking a first for the esteemed award. This honor solidifies Garner's reputation as one of Australia's most celebrated authors and reinforces her position as a leading figure in literary circles.
The decision, made unanimous among six judges, has been praised for recognizing Garner's remarkable contribution to nonfiction literature. Chair of judges Robbie Millen described the collection as "a remarkable, addictive book" that showcases Garner's skill in capturing the intricacies of everyday life and human experience through her diaries. The diary form, often associated with personal and introspective writing, is elevated by Garner's unique voice and perspective, making it an exceptional achievement.
Garner's work is characterized by its sharp insights into domestic life, creativity, and morality, which have garnered her widespread recognition throughout her career. Her extensive body of work includes fiction, screenplays, and nonfiction, including "The Children's Bach" and "This House of Grief".
"How to End a Story", which spans decades of Garner's diaries from the 1970s through the 1990s, has garnered critical acclaim for its devastating honesty, steel-sharp wit, and an extraordinary attention to detail. The collection is notable not only for its breadth but also for its humanity, showcasing Garner's remarkable ability to weave a narrative that engages readers on multiple levels.
The announcement of Garner's win comes as no surprise, given the widespread critical acclaim she has received for "How to End a Story". Observers have praised the diaries as "the greatest, richest journals by a writer since Virginia Woolf", highlighting their exceptional literary merit.
Garner's next project, co-authored with Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein, will explore the infamous Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial, set to be published in November 2025. The Baillie Gifford prize has faced scrutiny in recent years due to its investment ties, but Garner's win is a testament to the enduring significance of literature as a vital component of public discourse.
As news of Garner's win spreads, readers and literary enthusiasts alike can look forward to exploring her remarkable work, which continues to redefine the boundaries of nonfiction writing.
In a significant literary achievement, Australian author Helen Garner has been named the winner of the 2025 Baillie Gifford prize for nonfiction for her collection "How to End a Story", marking a first for the esteemed award. This honor solidifies Garner's reputation as one of Australia's most celebrated authors and reinforces her position as a leading figure in literary circles.
The decision, made unanimous among six judges, has been praised for recognizing Garner's remarkable contribution to nonfiction literature. Chair of judges Robbie Millen described the collection as "a remarkable, addictive book" that showcases Garner's skill in capturing the intricacies of everyday life and human experience through her diaries. The diary form, often associated with personal and introspective writing, is elevated by Garner's unique voice and perspective, making it an exceptional achievement.
Garner's work is characterized by its sharp insights into domestic life, creativity, and morality, which have garnered her widespread recognition throughout her career. Her extensive body of work includes fiction, screenplays, and nonfiction, including "The Children's Bach" and "This House of Grief".
"How to End a Story", which spans decades of Garner's diaries from the 1970s through the 1990s, has garnered critical acclaim for its devastating honesty, steel-sharp wit, and an extraordinary attention to detail. The collection is notable not only for its breadth but also for its humanity, showcasing Garner's remarkable ability to weave a narrative that engages readers on multiple levels.
The announcement of Garner's win comes as no surprise, given the widespread critical acclaim she has received for "How to End a Story". Observers have praised the diaries as "the greatest, richest journals by a writer since Virginia Woolf", highlighting their exceptional literary merit.
Garner's next project, co-authored with Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein, will explore the infamous Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial, set to be published in November 2025. The Baillie Gifford prize has faced scrutiny in recent years due to its investment ties, but Garner's win is a testament to the enduring significance of literature as a vital component of public discourse.
As news of Garner's win spreads, readers and literary enthusiasts alike can look forward to exploring her remarkable work, which continues to redefine the boundaries of nonfiction writing.
I'm not surprised at all that Helen Garner won this award, she's been making waves in the literary scene for ages. Her ability to capture the complexities of everyday life and human experience is unparalleled. I think what sets her apart is her unique voice and perspective, which makes even the most mundane moments feel extraordinary. And I love how her work often tackles tough topics like morality and creativity - it's not easy to write about these things in a way that resonates with readers. The fact that this award recognizes her contribution to nonfiction literature feels well-deserved, but also highlights just how much she can elevate the genre with her writing style. Can't wait to dive into her new project with Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein - it sounds like it's going to be a real page-turner!
. Her collection "How to End a Story" is like a breath of fresh air - it's so honest and raw that it makes you feel like you're reading someone's private thoughts, which is both terrifying and cathartic at the same time 
. I love how she tackles everyday life with such precision and wit, it's like she's pointing out all these tiny truths we've been ignoring but are kinda too scared to confront 
. And can we talk about how amazing her writing voice is? It's like a warm hug for your soul 
.
i mean what else can you say? she's been writing for decades and her diaries collection is just WOW! how to end a story is like the ultimate read, so raw and honest it's like reading your own diary but way better lol. i'm obsessed with her writing style, it's like she's speaking directly to you through the pages 
and i love that she's pushing boundaries with her work, exploring all these deep themes like creativity and morality. can't wait for her next project with chloe hooper and sarah krasnostein, this is going to be epic! 
I'm not surprised about Helen Garner winning this prize, she's always been great at storytelling, but what really got me thinking is that a diary collection won? Like, isn't that just, like, personal stuff? 
her ability to capture life's intricacies is truly inspiring & relatable, and how she weaves these diaries into these sharp insights is pure magic 
can't wait to dive into "how to end a story" again, it's like reading a new person's voice every time 
i love how she weaves together these everyday moments into this masterful narrative that's both deeply personal and universally relatable. the fact that judges chose diaries collection over anything else is just pure genius - helen garner's voice is like butter for my soul 