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British and Nigerian Women win Writers’ Prize Awards

30 March 2005

Andrea Levy
Andrea Levy winner of the Commonwealth writers prize 2005.
Andrea Levy of the United Kingdom has won this year's Commonwealth Writers' Prize for her novel, 'Small Island'. She received the Best Book Award which includes a prize of £10,000.

Ms Levy, who lives and works in London, was born in the UK to Jamaican parents. She is the author of a number of critically acclaimed novels.

The Chair of the five-person pan-Commonwealth judging panel, poet and literary critic Professor Daniel Massa of the University of Malta, said on behalf of the panel:

"Andrea Levy's novel skilfully depicts the politics and stresses of race relations in a global environment of shrinking borders and developing cultural identities. However, the excellence of 'Small Island' lies not only with its thematic issues that are represented with insight and sensitivity, but also in Andrea Levy's consummate narrative skills in blending multiple voices in a framework resonant with humour, irony, understanding and a lot of fun."

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, from Nigeria, won the 2005 Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best First Book Award of £3,000 for 'Purple Hibiscus'. Describing her novel, Professor Massa said:

"The novel moves smoothly and fluently to depict the developing sensibilities of young Kambili and her brother as they react to love, cultural dislocation, political oppression and domestic violence in their search for personal freedom. This is an impressive first novel that transcends national relevance."

The results were announced by Dr Mark Collins, new Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, on 29 March 2005 at Marlborough House in London.

The Commonwealth Writers' Prize, established in 1987, is financed and sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation, an intergovernmental organisation funded by Commonwealth governments to support civil society across the Commonwealth. The Prize is managed by Cumberland Lodge in association with Booktrust. To be eligible, authors must be citizens of one of the Commonwealth's 53 member countries.

Further information is available at http://www.commonwealthwriters.com/, or from Helen Hayes, e-mail Helen@booktrust.org.uk .

 

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 228  30 March 2005

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