Congratulations to Maryse Condé.
According to The New York Times, the historical fiction author is the winner of the New Academy Prize in Literature, a new honor created by over 100 Swedish cultural figures following the postponement of the Nobel Prize in Literature. The writer, who's from Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, will take home one million kroner, equivalent to $112,000.
Condé was honored for her history of producing critically acclaimed works that explore the Black experience in the Western Hemisphere such as I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem, Segu and Windward Heights.
“In her work, she describes the ravages of colonialism and the post-colonial chaos in a language which is both precise and overwhelming,” said the New Academy regarding Condé's honor, according to Reuters.
"i decided that one day I would write a book as powerful and beautiful [as #WutheringHeights]" nonetheless, #MaryseCondé did not publish her first novel until she was nearly 40, today she wins the #NewAcademyPrize in #literature as a substitute for this year’s #Nobel. https://t.co/XfrZSi5GbX
— chthuluceneworkgroup (@tristanbera) October 12, 2018
“I belong to a small island with no say on international issues… Guadeloupe is mentioned only when there is a hurricane but … we have a wonderful culture… Winning this prize would mean that our voice, the voice of the Guadeloupeans, is starting to be heard.” -Maryse Conde https://t.co/pLca8ATepn
— Natasha Lightfoot ???????? (@njlightfoot) October 12, 2018
This is the first time since 1949 the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature award hasn't been awarded. Sexual assault allegations shaking the Academy caused the prize to be put on hold. Earlier this month, the husband of one of the Academy's members was sentenced to two years in prison, which he is appealing.
The award will be given out again next year. Had Condé won the Nobel Prize, she would have received a cash award nine times greater than the New Academy award.
Several people took to Twitter to express why the writer was so deserving of the award.
The small islander in me & my scholarship felt her words deeply. What it means to be from somewhere seen by the more powerful as “nowhere” yet to have one’s thoughts & representations of that place be recognized as having value for everyone everywhere. Needed to read this today
— Natasha Lightfoot ???????? (@njlightfoot) October 12, 2018
#MaryseCondé is an undeniable figure of French literature & la #francophonie des Amériques. Originally from #Guadeloupe, she went on to teach at Columbia, UVA, and other elite U.S. universities. Her writing energized and inspired me as an undergrad French major. Much respect! https://t.co/BOT0YIelKv
— Jake R. Nelson (@JakeRNelson) October 12, 2018
Maryse Conde has written a lot of books: Segu, Children of Segu, I Tituba Black Witch of Salem, Crossing the Mangrove are among my favorites.
— Kinna Likimani (@kinnareads) October 12, 2018
Conde draws from the entire African and Black worlds – from the continent, across the Carribbean and the Americas. Her historical fiction is great. Read her folks.
— Kinna Likimani (@kinnareads) October 12, 2018
Congrats, Maryse Condé!
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