Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2011 winners announced

This year’s Commonwealth Writers’ Prize winning novels demonstrated “the irreducible power of the written word at a time of rapid global change and uncertainty”, according to judges.

The two winning authors: Aminatta Forna for Best Book for The Memory of Love; and Craig Cliff for Best First Book for A Man Melting, were announced in Sydney, Australia, on 21 May. They were awarded £10,000 and £5,000 respectively.

Chair of the judging panel Nicholas Hasluck said: “The standard of entries this year has been exceptional, showcasing work with strong insight, spirit and voice, introducing readers to unfamiliar worlds.”

Now in its 25th year, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, which is organised and funded by the Commonwealth Foundation and supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation, offers both established and emerging writers the opportunity to showcase their work.

Interim Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr Danny Sriskandarajah said: “The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize embodies the Commonwealth at its best. It unearths the best writing from across 54 countries, promoting dialogue and understanding on an international scale.”

In winning these prizes, Ms Forna and Mr Cliff follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in modern fiction, including Louis De Bernieres, Andrea Levy, Ian McEwan, and Zadie Smith.

The Memory of Love

Aminatta Forna was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and raised in Sierra Leone.

Her book, The Memory of Love, has received praise for its risk taking, elegance and breadth.

It is a story about friendship, betrayal, obsession and second chances in Sierra Leone. The judges concluded that The Memory of Love delicately delves into the courageous lives of those haunted by the indelible effects of Sierra Leone’s past and yet amid that loss gives us a sense of hope and optimism for their future.

A Man Melting

Craig Cliff was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and his short stories and poetry have been published in New Zealand and Australia.

The judges chose A Man Melting, a collection of serious and outlandish short stories, for its ambition, creativity and craftsmanship. Blending ideas that frequently weave outlandish concepts with everyday incidents, the prose is peppered with social observations that define the world we live in. The eighteen short stories amplify many of the absurdities around us, reflecting our own expectations, fears and paranoia on the big questions in life.

The Macquarie Group Foundation has been supporting the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for five consecutive years now.

Its chairman, Richard Sheppard, said: “The Macquarie Group Foundation is delighted that two such diverse writers have won this year’s Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. For the last 25 years, the prize has helped to bring writers to new global audiences and I’m sure once again this year’s winners will delight and inspire readers and writers around the world.”