Historic Win for Melbourne Poet Grace Yee: Debut Verse Novel ‘Chinese Fish’ Claims $100,000 Victorian Prize

In a groundbreaking achievement, Melbourne poet Grace Yee has secured the prestigious $100,000 Victorian Prize for Literature at the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards (VPLAs) for her debut verse novel, “Chinese Fish.” This marks the first instance since 2014 that a poet has clinched this coveted accolade, recognized as Australia’s most substantial literary award.

Yee’s triumph extended beyond the Victorian Prize, as she also emerged victorious in the $25,000 poetry prize on the same night, amassing a total prize money of $125,000. Published by Giramondo Publishing, “Chinese Fish” unfolds a multi-generational narrative chronicling a family’s journey from Hong Kong to Aotearoa, New Zealand, over two pivotal decades, spanning the 1960s to the 1980s. Yee’s literary journey includes previous accolades such as the Patricia Hackett Prize and the Peter Steele Poetry Award in 2020.

Commended by VPLA judges for its intelligent intertwining of modes, forms, feminist vision, and literary sophistication, “Chinese Fish” is a testament to Yee’s unique storytelling prowess. The verse novel originated from Yee’s Ph.D. and focuses on the experiences of settler Chinese women in Aotearoa. These women navigated the delicate balance between traditional family expectations and the discrimination prevalent in broader society.

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