Siang Lu’s novel, Ghost Cities, has won the 2025 Miles Franklin Award, with judges praising it as “a grand farce and a haunting meditation on diaspora.” This recognition positions the work as potentially one of the most humorous novels to ever claim the prestigious award. Over the past decade, Melissa Lucashenko’s Too Much Lip could be seen as its closest rival in terms of comedic merit, while earlier contenders include Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet and Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda.
Lu first garnered attention for his satirical approach in his debut novel, The Whitewash, which targeted the racial politics within the film industry. In Ghost Cities, he amplifies this satire, creating a narrative filled with absurdity and hyperbole. The judges noted the novel’s “absurdist bravura,” situating it within a tradition of Australian literature that critiques cultural fraud and failed expatriation.
A Comedy of Tyranny
The novel unfolds through two intertwining plots, both reflecting the chaos of tyranny. One storyline is set in a recognizable Sydney, transitioning to the fictitious ghost city of Port Man Tou, while the other takes place in ancient China’s Imperial City. The latter begins with the rise of Emperor Lu Huang Du, whose overwhelming ego drives his dictatorial rule. From the outset, it is evident that he craves a grand origin myth, leading him to commit increasingly irrational acts, including the banishment of scholars and the destruction of books.
As Lu Huang Du’s narrative develops, readers witness the absurd consequences of his whims. For instance, he orders the execution of all chickens in the land due to a delusional belief about their connection to his bloodline. His brother, Lu Dong Pu, suffers consequences for attempting to intercept an assassin’s blade directed at the emperor, while the narrative humorously explores the emperor’s desperate measures to escape his own mortality.
The second plot introduces Baby Bao, a filmmaker intent on producing a grandiose biopic of Lu Huang Du. This film aims to reinforce his own delusions of grandeur, showcasing the absurdities inherent in artistic ambition. The intertwining of the two dictators emphasizes the themes of power, ego, and artistic vanity that Lu masterfully portrays.
Literary Allusions and Character Depth
Lu’s writing is infused with allusions to various literary works, including John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s Divine Comedy. These references enrich the text, highlighting the intricate relationships between dictators, artists, and their creations. The narrative is further complemented by a poem titled “Six Levels of Hell,” chronicling Lu Dong Pu’s journey through the Imperial City’s underbelly.
Women in Ghost Cities play crucial yet subtle roles. Characters like Wuer, the wife of Lu Dong Pu, and Yuan, a translator and love interest of Xiang Lu, provide depth to the narrative. Their experiences reflect the broader themes of power dynamics and personal agency in a world governed by tyrants.
Ultimately, Ghost Cities thrives on its ability to blend humor with biting social commentary. The novel’s absurdities, such as appointing piglets to positions of power, serve as a commentary on the ridiculousness of authoritarian rule. Readers are left to navigate a world where tyranny is both a source of horror and a rich vein of comedy.
This novel not only entertains but also provokes thought about the nature of power and the narratives we construct around it. As audiences engage with Lu’s work, they will find a compelling mix of laughter and reflection on the human condition.
“Ghost Cities is a comedy of tyranny that offers a sharp yet entertaining study in the abuse of state power,” the judges concluded.
Lu’s talent for weaving humor into serious themes solidifies Ghost Cities as a noteworthy contribution to contemporary literature, deserving of its accolade in the 2025 Miles Franklin Award.
