Hills author Hannah Kent’s ‘queer love story’ Devotion feeling big screen buzz

The acclaimed Hills writer already has two novels on their way to the big screen, and now she’s given a hint about her next project.

Celebrated Australian author Hannah Kent’s latest book could be heading for the big screen.

Kent confirmed her third novel, Devotion, a “queer love story” about two women in colonial SA, has generated serious interest from film production companies, though a deal has yet to be struck.

Her first two books, the internationally-acclaimed Burial Rites and The Good People, have already been snapped up and are being adapted as feature films.

“I can’t really speak about details just yet, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I hope so … I’m so curious as to how it would translate to screen,” she said of Devotion.

“I know some writers don’t enjoy the process of seeing an adaptation. But I love films.

“They give me a lot of creative inspiration so I would love to see it on screen.”

It comes as Kent revealed the first details of her much-anticipated fourth novel, which she is still in the process of researching.

SA author Hannah Kent on the Pioneer Women's Trail at Mount George. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Yeah I've got an idea but it’s definitely still at that early stage where I’m just keeping it close to my heart,” she said. “I described Devotion as a tribute to the natural landscape I grew up in and I think this next book will also be a lot about having that relationship to landscape.

“I love nature writing and I can’t see myself veering away from that any time soon.”

Inspired by her own relationship with wife, Heidi, and the negativity around the 2017 gay marriage plebiscite, Devotion was released in October and has been lauded by critics.

It’s also been nominated for the prestigious ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year prize this week, an award Kent won for her debut novel, 2013’s Burial Rites.

“This book is a lot more personal for me than my previous two, it being influenced by aspects of my personal life,” she said.

“It’s a very vulnerable feeling when you send that book out into the world, you never know how people are going to respond to it. So to receive a short-listing like this, it’s a wonderful moment as a storyteller.”

The best-selling author has turned her hand to scriptwriting in recent years, with her first effort, a feature film called Run Rabbit Run, starring Succession’s Sarah Snook, currently in post-production.

Sarah Snook attends the 74th Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards. Picture: Jesse Grant/Getty Images

Also starring Greta Scacchi and Damon Herriman, the horror-thriller – about a fertility doctor (Snook) whose young daughter begins acting erratically – was shot around the Riverland earlier this year.

“I got to go down on set and oh my god, I loved it,” said Kent, who’s based in the Adelaide Hills with wife Heidi and their two daughters.

“How exciting to be working on a script for years and to see it come to life in the hands of this incredible crew.

“Seeing Sarah Snook in action is something else entirely. I didn’t contribute anything, I probably just got in everyone’s way but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”