Juice (novel)

Juice is a 2024 climate fiction novel by Australian writer Tim Winton set in a future Australia devastated by climate change and capitalist exploitation. It is written in the voice of an unnamed narrator.

Plot

The narrator, who remains unnamed, tells the story of his upbringing and survival in the plains after being captured by an unnamed antagonist referred to as the bowman. Raised by his enigmatic single mother, the narrator describes how he evolved from a simple agrarian life on the now-sweltering land (which requires them to spend half the year in underground habitation) to recruitment by a shadowy organisation that trains highly skilled assassins. The narrator's story traces how he balanced his love of the everyday community he grew up with for the desire to participate in something larger; however, as The Guardian book review notes, "The protagonist's double life as a plainsman and agent of vengeance soon became unsustainable".[1]

Background, themes, and genre

The novel, published in 2024, Winton's first novel in six years.[2] It is a departure from Winton's previous work, serving as his first foray into science fiction.[3] The novel set in a future Australia devastated by climate change and capitalist exploitation, putting it in the climate fiction genre.[4][2]

Reception and accolades

Juice was shortlisted for the 2025 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction.[5] It was longlisted for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award (which Winton has received four times), but did not make the shortlist.[6]

Film adaptation

In July 2026, Working Title Films purchased the film rights to the novel and hired Joe Wright to direct and Abi Morgan to write the screenplay.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ Seiffert, Rachel (17 October 2024). "Juice by Tim Winton review – life after the apocalypse". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  2. 1 2 Heath, Nicola; Evans, Kate (5 October 2024). "Juice is Tim Winton's first novel in six years. Here's what we thought about it". ABC News. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Henningsgaard, Per (30 September 2024). "Tim Winton goes cli-fi – his dystopian novel Juice breaks new ground to face the climate emergency". The Conversation. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  4. ↑ Popescu, Lucy (17 November 2024). "Juice by Tim Winton review – eloquent cry of a climate vigilante". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2025 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  6. ↑ Evans, Kate; Nichols, Claire; L'Estrange, Sarah; Fry, Declan; Heath, Nicola (24 June 2025). "All the snubs, surprises and favourites from the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist". ABC News. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  7. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (1 July 2026). "Joe Wright To Direct Feature Take On Tim Winton's Sci-Fi Thriller 'Juice' For Working Title, Abi Morgan Adapting". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Tim Winton's dystopian thriller Juice is coming to the big screen". The New Daily. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.

Further reading

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