News / Local
Bulawayo up for another award
25 Jul 2013 at 07:27hrs | Views
TRAILBLAZING Zimbabwean writer, NoViolet Bulawayo continues to shine on the international scene, as she has once again been nominated for the prestigious Book Man Long List award.
The United States-based writer shot to stardom after winning the Caines Prize for African Writing for her much acclaimed short story Hitting Budapest.
This time, her debut novel, We Need New Games released in May was shortlisted together with 13 other books on the Man Booker list on Monday.
The award is Great Britain's premier literary prize.
An ecstatic Bulawayo wrote on her Facebook page:
"..that royal baby sure knows how to bring blessings from wherever he came from; super excited to be on the Man Booker long list...
"Thank you for the wonderful messages everyone, and for the wine that I know you are sending my way, Zim lit baby," wrote Bulawayo.
The Tsholotsho born writer, is the only African writer nominated on the list which includes authors from Britain, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Ireland.
Her short story Hitting Budapest received rave reviews across the globe and is included in her debut novel as the first chapter in the book.
Despite being in the US for the past 13 years, Bulawayo's writings depicts Zimbabwean lifestyle.
She perceptively tackles painful topics from desperation to disease, but joy also resonates in her writing.
In an interview with a UK newspaper, Bulawayo said she adopted the name Bulawayo as it helps her reconnect with her homeland.
"Violet is my mother's name. She died when I was 18 months old. It was my way of honouring her memory. Adopting her name gave me peace.
"Bulawayo is the city of my people. I wasn't able to go home for 13 years, which made me nostalgic and want to connect with the homeland," she said.
In the debut novel, Bulawayo uses words potently, blending brutality and lyricism in her unflinching, bittersweet story of displacement.
According to the Book List website, judges will meet again in September to decide a shortlist of six books and announce the winner on 15 October.
The winner will walk away with more than $75 000 prize money.
The United States-based writer shot to stardom after winning the Caines Prize for African Writing for her much acclaimed short story Hitting Budapest.
This time, her debut novel, We Need New Games released in May was shortlisted together with 13 other books on the Man Booker list on Monday.
The award is Great Britain's premier literary prize.
An ecstatic Bulawayo wrote on her Facebook page:
"..that royal baby sure knows how to bring blessings from wherever he came from; super excited to be on the Man Booker long list...
"Thank you for the wonderful messages everyone, and for the wine that I know you are sending my way, Zim lit baby," wrote Bulawayo.
The Tsholotsho born writer, is the only African writer nominated on the list which includes authors from Britain, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Ireland.
Her short story Hitting Budapest received rave reviews across the globe and is included in her debut novel as the first chapter in the book.
Despite being in the US for the past 13 years, Bulawayo's writings depicts Zimbabwean lifestyle.
She perceptively tackles painful topics from desperation to disease, but joy also resonates in her writing.
In an interview with a UK newspaper, Bulawayo said she adopted the name Bulawayo as it helps her reconnect with her homeland.
"Violet is my mother's name. She died when I was 18 months old. It was my way of honouring her memory. Adopting her name gave me peace.
"Bulawayo is the city of my people. I wasn't able to go home for 13 years, which made me nostalgic and want to connect with the homeland," she said.
In the debut novel, Bulawayo uses words potently, blending brutality and lyricism in her unflinching, bittersweet story of displacement.
According to the Book List website, judges will meet again in September to decide a shortlist of six books and announce the winner on 15 October.
The winner will walk away with more than $75 000 prize money.
Source - chronicle
