Siang Lu, a Chinese Malaysian Australian author, has been awarded the prestigious $60,000 Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel “Ghost Cities,” a work that blends fable and romantic comedy. Lu expressed his overwhelming joy at receiving the honor, stating,
“[I feel] super joyful, super excited, but it’s a lot to take in.”
The Miles Franklin Award, established in 1957 through the will of Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, author of “My Brilliant Career,” recognizes novels of the highest literary merit that present “Australian life in any of its phases.” Past laureates include literary giants such as Thea Astley, Peter Carey, Tim Winton, and Melissa Lucashenko. The 2024 award was claimed by Alexis Wright for “Praiseworthy.”
The Journey to Recognition
Lu’s path to this accolade was not straightforward. “Ghost Cities” languished unpublished for nearly a decade, facing over 200 rejections both domestically and internationally. However, a turning point came in 2022 when Lu’s debut novel, “The Whitewash,” won an unpublished manuscript award at the Queensland Literary Awards. This success led to its publication and subsequent recognition, including a shortlist at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and winning best audiobook at the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Reflecting on his journey, Lu shared,
“It’s a very long and sometimes torturous road to publication. Sometimes the book that you think will be the debut book ends up not being that.”
Encouraged by the success of “The Whitewash,” Lu revisited “Ghost Cities,” leading to its eventual publication and acclaim.
A Novel of Cultural Reflection
“Ghost Cities” tells the story of Xiang Lu, a translator in Sydney who is dismissed from the Chinese consulate after his employers discover he doesn’t speak Mandarin. His deception becomes a viral sensation on Chinese social media, earning him the moniker #BadChinese. The novel unfolds as Xiang meets a Chinese filmmaker, Baby Bao, and his translator, Yuan, in a ghost city turned film set, where a romantic relationship develops amidst discussions on art, myth, history, and identity.
Lu describes the novel as not just a romantic tale but also a tribute to literature and storytelling, a “love letter to the two cultures that I embrace.” The Miles Franklin judges praised “Ghost Cities” as a
“grand farce and a haunting meditation of diaspora… Shimmering with satire and wisdom, and with an absurdist bravura, Ghost Cities is a genuine landmark in Australian literature.”
Advocating for Cultural Identity
Speaking on ABC Radio National’s “The Book Show,” Lu discussed his experiences growing up between cultures and how this duality informs his writing. He noted that readers from migrant backgrounds have resonated with the #BadChinese theme, reflecting on the shared experience of cultural expectations and identity.
Lu emphasized,
“A book like ‘The Whitewash’ and a book like ‘Ghost Cities,’ these books are not possible to have been written by anyone but someone between two cultures.”
He hopes his work serves as a testament to the diverse ways one can advocate for their culture.
The Inspiration Behind “Ghost Cities”
The concept of ghost cities fascinated Lu, stemming from a visit to an abandoned theme park near Beijing. These modern ruins, cities built but never inhabited, sparked the idea for his novel. Lu’s interest in postmodern literature, particularly Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” also influenced his work, inspiring the novel’s absurdist humor and bilingual puns.
Lu’s approach to writing is to amuse himself, believing that humor is often missing from Australian literature. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as “Ghost Cities” was shortlisted for humor writing at the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.
A New Chapter for Siang Lu
Winning the Miles Franklin Award marks a significant milestone in Lu’s career, aligning him with authors he has long admired. Despite the award’s impact, Lu acknowledges that the book remains unchanged, yet its recognition has transformed its perception.
Looking ahead, Lu plans to use the prize money to support his family and invest time in his next project. He reflects on the changes the award may bring, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to continue his literary journey.
Claire Nichols from “The Book Show” remarked,
“Siang Lu is doing things that no other author in Australia is doing.”
With the Miles Franklin Award, Lu has cemented his place in the literary world, poised to explore new narratives and cultural dialogues.
