Giller Prize 2007: Complete list of winners

The 2007 Giller Prize for English-language Canadian fiction went to Elizabeth Hay for her evocative novel Late Nights on Air, a choice that cemented the award’s reputation for championing literary fiction with depth and regional specificity. Hay’s win marked a significant moment for the prestigious Giller Prize, which has long served as one of Canada’s most influential literary honors, drawing attention to exceptional storytelling across the country. Late Nights on Air transports readers to 1970s Yellowknife, where a small radio station becomes the backdrop for a richly layered exploration of desire, ambition, and the transformative power of the North—themes that clearly resonated with the Giller’s judging panel.

Hay’s victory demonstrated the Giller Prize’s continued commitment to recognizing nuanced, character-driven narratives that linger in readers’ minds long after the final page. Her novel’s success on the 2007 Giller Prize shortlist highlighted how Canadian literature was evolving to explore intimate human dramas within distinctive geographical and historical contexts. The award brought well-deserved attention to Late Nights on Air and solidified Hay’s standing as a major voice in contemporary Canadian fiction, proving once again why the Giller Prize remains essential reading for anyone tracking the best in English-language literature from north of the border.

Fiction

• Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay