Congratulations to Tim Winton who has picked up his fourth Miles Franklin Literary Award for his novel Breath. It beat out prize-favourite The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, as well as Wanting by Richard Flanagan, The Pages by Murray Bail and Ice by Louis Nowra.

When it was released in April last year Readings Managing Director Mark Rubbo called Breath a 'powerful, disturbing novel; beautifully written. It must be one Winton's best works yet'. You can read the full review here.

Tim Winton also spoke to Mark Rubbo last year about Breath and when asked what he thought of the book, replied:

'I don't know what to make of it, to be honest, and if I did I'd probably keep my opinions to myself, curmudgeon that I am. I am glad it's done, though. Too late for a re-write now. We're all stuck with it.'

Modest words indeed for what would turn out to be a Miles Franklin-winning book. You can read Mark Rubbo's entire interview with Tim here and read an extract from Breath here.