David Malouf: Australian literary giant behind novels The Great World and Remembering Babylon dies, aged 92

Acclaimed Australian author David Malouf has died, aged 92.

Publisher Penguin Random House confirmed his passing, and paid tribute to the man who made an important contribution to Australian literature across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, libretti and plays.

Malouf won numerous awards during his career, including the Miles Franklin Award for his novel The Great World in 1990, plus the Commonwealth Writers’ prize, the Prix Femina Etranger, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and Australia-Asia Literary Award.

His book Remembering Babylon was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1993.

The Brisbane-raised author’s literary agent Jane Novak said Malouf was a giant in the world of literature.

“His contribution to Australian culture is immeasurable but I will miss the kind, generous, wonderful man behind the masterpieces. It was my great honour to represent David and this is a great loss.”

Writer and friend, Nicholas Jose, said: “David was a good friend to me as to so many other writers over many years.

“David believed in readers. From his enduring evocation of his Brisbane youth in Johnno to his re-imagining of the classical world in An Imaginary Life and Ransom, his writing created new possibilities for Australian literature.

“He is a brilliant essayist, an astute and generous critic, and a poet first and last. He has always been a great advocate for literature and for the power of imagination to change lives. His life and work have changed our lives. His work will go on doing that.”