Congratulations to Uzor Maxim Uzoatu who's Nigeria's flagbearer for this year's Caine Prize. His story, Cemetery of Life, published in Wasafiri 52 earned him the nod for the author of 'God of Poetry'.Joining him on the shortlist are Ghanaian Mohammed Naseehu Ali (for Mallam Sule); Malawian Stanley Onjezani Kenani (his story: For Honour); South African Henrietta Rose-Innes is shortlisted for the second time (for Poison); and she's joined by her compatriot, Gill Schierhout (for The Day of the Surgical Colloquium).
Judges are (1) Chair Jude Kelly (who is the artistic director of the South Bank Centre - where the Caine writers will read on July 6); (2) Hannah Pool; (3) Mark McMorris; (4) author of In the Country of Men Hisham Matar; and Jonty Driver.
The 2008 Caine Prize winner will be announced at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, on July 7.
God of Poetry, Caine God. Congrats to Maxim.
ReplyDeleteJT
God of Poetry is an incredible honor.
ReplyDelete@Renegade:
ReplyDeleteGod of Poetry is the title of a Book of Maxim's, who really deserves this recognition.
By my calculations, 10 Nigerians have been shortlisted for the Caine Prize thus far:
ReplyDelete1. Helon Habila
2. Chimamanda Adichie
3. Chika Unigwe
4. Segun Afolabi
5. Ike Okonta
6. Sefi Atta
7. Uwem Akpan
8. Ada Udechukwu
9. E.C. Osondu
10. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu
The only home-based ones at the time of their shortlist were the 1st and the 10th. Thanks, Mr Uzoatu for showing that Nigerian writers at home can do it too.
I am happy for him. He has done very well for himself and his country.
ReplyDeleteFirst time here. Like what you blog about. I will be back
ReplyDeleteThanks, Standtall. Do come back.
ReplyDeleteWe wish the shortlisted the best. someome sure deserves the prize.
ReplyDelete