The Miles Franklin Winner Has Shared Her Family’s Reaction to Her Victory – And It's Sublime

On Wednesday morning, Melbourne author Jennifer Down said she was “still pinching herself” after receiving the news she’d won the Miles Franklin, one of the country’s richest and most prestigious literary awards, for her second novel Bodies of Light.

Arriving at her family home later in the day, Down shared via Twitter the heartwarming and utterly unpretentious reception she received from her family.

“Yesterday arvo when I arrived at my parents’ to watch the announcement over a glass of champers, this was what i walked in to. Please note the red carpet.”

Before you rush out and grab a copy of Bodies of Light to savour what was praised by judges as Down’s “ethical precision” and “astonishing voice”, please enjoy this succinct narrative of prodigious, goofy family love, proud AF parents and annoying siblings.

this was the general tasteful vibe: me in a thermal i’d put on at 4am that morning, a custom-made sash, two confused labradors pic.twitter.com/ATzqGwWOnr

— spooky spice (@jenniferdown) July 21, 2022

mum’s bestie phoned to scream upon hearing the announcement, then drove 50 mins to sit and cry loudly at the table pic.twitter.com/fmThxB6WRe

— spooky spice (@jenniferdown) July 21, 2022

(sash close-up) pic.twitter.com/HKQxMGg6kJ

— spooky spice (@jenniferdown) July 21, 2022

then i ??? went back to my day job for about 90 mins cause that’s showbiz babey?? but then thankfully my manager was like u need to get off this call god bless pic.twitter.com/zpuWggPKvW

— spooky spice (@jenniferdown) July 21, 2022