Great Escape Books

Our heartfelt and hope filled congratulations to Lee Lai on being awarded the 2026 Stella Prize for her graphic novel, Cannon.

From the judges:

“Cannon is a compelling depiction of a fracturing friendship between two q***r, second-generation Chinese women. It is also a bruising examination of the lifelong weight that people – often women – carry, the profound toll it takes to be the ‘responsible one’, and what can happen when you are being taken advantage of repeatedly. (Bonus: it is also, somehow, very funny.) Lai’s elegant artistry evokes horror and poignancy, shock and delight, and Cannon is an incontestable reminder that – in the hands of a masterful artist and storyteller – the very best graphic novels can do what prose alone cannot. And Cannon is absolutely one of the best.”

The Stella team does such an incredible job championing the voices of women and gender-diverse writers, making this win feel all the more special. Lai is both the first graphic novelist and the first non-binary author to receive this illustrious prize.

We can hardly contain our excitement and are thrilled to once again be hosting a Stella Day Out in Aireys this November, with the Stella team presenting a one-day workshop and events program.

Watch this space for more details to come.

Only one week until Mother's Day... stuck on a gift? Our shelves are full of adventure, love and care.

Browse in store or on our website for the perfect, thoughtful gift that will help mum feel the love.

A book that will make you feel.... Departure(s) by Julian Barnes (Hardback)
Our Review...

Booker-prize winning UK author Julian Barnes is 80 and his latest release Departure(s), in his own words, is his final book. It’s hard to really describe what Departure(s) is about – it’s sort of a memoir, but more a collection of memories and reflections than the story of Barnes’ life. It’s a moving meditation on ageing and memory, with musings on philosophy and the writings of Proust – and writing in general. It’s the story of two of his friends who were partners at Uni and who he helped reunite 60 years later. It touches beautifully on life’s big questions – loss, illness, grief – and contemplates death, the inevitable for us all.

Remodelling literary genres is what Barnes is known for, so it’s no surprise this fiction/nonfiction hybrid is not easy to categorise. However you describe it, Departure(s) is brilliant – witty, poignant, heartwarming but also very likely to bring a tear to your eye. It’s a book that will make you think and feel about the ordinary things in life – the insignificant and the important. It’s for anyone staring old age in the face, for those of us starting on that path and for those dealing with ageing loved ones.

Review by Andi @ Great Escape Books

A wonderful afternoon with Sarah Bailey and Mark Smith, who captivated a full house in conversation about her latest crime novel Click - a gripping Melbourne-set thriller rich with vivid, much-loved and newly introduced unforgettable characters, including journalist Oli Groves and rookie detective Penelope Kibbs. 

Their fascinating discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence and the far-reaching tendrils of cybercrime on both writers and the publishing industry offered sharp insight and truly opened our eyes.

Our thanks to all who attended, as well as to my wonderful staff and Allen & Unwin for their support of the event. A huge thank you to Sarah Bailey and Mark Smith for such a stunning afternoon- everyone loved the insightful conversation and the warmth and energy in the bookshop. A truly great event.