Helen Garner's Diaries: A Triumph for Non-Fiction Literature

Wed Nov 05 2025 19:18:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Australian writer Helen Garner wins the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction with her collection of diaries, marking a significant achievement in her literary career.

Helen Garner's collection of diaries, 'How to End a Story,' has made literary history by winning the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. This groundbreaking award recognizes Garner's rich storytelling that spans her life's journey, from her early days in Melbourne to personal challenges. Chair of judges Robbie Millen praised it as a 'remarkable, addictive book', likening it to the works of Virginia Woolf. Garner receives a £50,000 prize, with her collection heralded as a masterful blend of the intimate and the intellectual.

Helen Garner's Diaries: A Triumph for Non-Fiction Literature

A collection of diaries has won the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction for the first time.

'How to End a Story: Collected Diaries' by Helen Garner chronicles the Australian writer's personal and professional journey, spanning her formative years in bohemian Melbourne, her experiences as a mother in the 1970s, and the intricacies of navigating a challenging marriage in the 1990s.

Garner, known for her previous work 'The House of Grief,' received applause from readers and fellow authors alike, including high praise from singer Dua Lipa and author David Nicholls.

Robbie Millen, chair of the judging panel, highlighted the collection as the 'unanimous winner', calling it 'a remarkable, addictive book', with each entry featuring surprising insights, sharp observations, and humor. Millen drew parallels between Garner's work and the esteemed diaries of Virginia Woolf.

The win is a milestone for Garner, who is gaining recognition in the UK following the release of her books in the region last year.

As part of the award, Garner receives £50,000, while other finalists are awarded £5,000 each from a total prize pool of £75,000. The Baillie Gifford Prize honors the best in non-fiction and opened entries to authors globally, with Garner's work selected from over 350 submissions.

The other shortlisted authors included Jason Burke, Richard Holmes, Justin Marozzi, Adam Weymouth, and Frances Wilson, each contributing compelling narratives to this year's literary landscape.